Accurate prediction of progression to muscle-invasive disease in patients with pT1G3 bladder cancer: A clinical decision-making tool

The Effect of Lymphovascular Invasion on Short-Term Tumor Recurrence and Progression in Stage T1 Bladder Cancer

Introduction Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is the most important stage for tumor spread and metastasis. The role of LVI in transurethral resection is not yet clear. In this study, the progression and recurrences of patients who underwent transurethral resection bladder tumor (TUR-BT) and T1 high-grade tumor and concomitant LVI were detected in pathology results and were evaluated. Methods Our study included 58 patients, who underwent TUR-BT with the suspicion of bladder cancer and were pathologically diagnosed with T1 stage bladder cancer and who did not undergo radical surgery, in the Urology Clinic of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Turkey. The patient's age, gender, tumor size, tumor grade, presence of LVI, second resection, recurrence, and progression rates at three months and one year were compared. Results LVI was detected in the pathology specimens of nine (15.5%) of the 58 patients who were included in the study. When the one-year progression was evaluated, progression to T2 tumor was detected in six (66.7%) patients in the group with LVI and five (10.2%) patients in the group without LVI, and the progression was significantly higher in the group with LVI (p=0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the only significant predictor for one-year progression was the presence of LVI (p=0.001). Conclusion According to the results of our study, the presence of LVI in the pathology specimens of patients with T1 high grade significantly increases the progression. Suggesting radical cystectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy to patients with LVI in the early period seems to be a more accurate approach, considering the course of the disease.

Comet-FISH analysis of urothelial cells. A screening opportunity for bladder cancer?

INTRODUCTION

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most frequent cancer of the urinary tract, with more than 500,000 reported cases and nearly 200,000 related deaths yearly. Cystoscopy is the standard examination used for the initial diagnosis and follow-up of BCa in the noninvasive stage. However, the American Cancer Society does not include BCa screening in its list of recommended cancer screenings.

AREAS COVERED

Recently, several urine-based bladder tumor markers (UBBTMs) that identify genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, or protein alterations have been introduced, some of which have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve its diagnosis and surveillance. Several biomarkers have been found in the tissues and blood of individuals with BCa or predisposed to develop the disease, further enriching our information.

EXPERT OPINION

From a prevention perspective, alkaline Comet-FISH could be a valuable tool with broad potential for clinical application. Furthermore, a comet assay could be more beneficial for diagnosing and monitoring bladder cancer and determining individual susceptibility. Thus, we recommend further studies to understand the potential of this combined assay in the general population as a potential screening test and in patients initiated into the diagnostic process.

Global trends in the epidemiology of bladder cancer: challenges for public health and clinical practice

Bladder cancer is among the ten most common cancers globally, causes considerable morbidity and mortality and is, therefore, a substantial burden for health-care systems. The incidence of bladder cancer is affected by demographic trends, most notably population growth and ageing, as well as exposure to risk factors, especially tobacco smoking. Consequently, the incidence has not been stable throughout the world over time, nor will it be in the near future. Further primary prevention efforts are of the utmost importance to reduce the medical and financial burden of bladder cancer on populations and health-care systems. Simultaneously, less-invasive and lower-cost approaches for the diagnosis of both primary and recurrent bladder cancers are required to address challenges posed by the increasing shortage of health-care professionals and limited financial resources worldwide. In this regard, urinary biomarkers have demonstrated promising diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of bladder cancer should also be increased in society, particularly among health-care professionals and high-risk groups. Studies investigating the associations between lifestyle factors and bladder cancer outcomes are scarce and should be a research priority. In this Review, we outline global trends in bladder cancer incidence and mortality, and discuss the main risk factors influencing bladder cancer occurrence and outcomes. We then discuss the implications, challenges and opportunities of these epidemiological trends for public health and clinical practice.

A Novel Ferroptosis-Related Gene Model for Overall Survival Predictions of Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Patients

Introduction

Bladder cancer is the most common urinary tract malignancy, and 90% of bladder tumors are urothelial cell carcinomas. Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death discovered in recent years, which is an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by the lethal intracellular accumulation of lipid-based reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis is considered to be a double-edged sword for cancer and cancer therapy.

Materials and Methods

In the current study, expression profiles of bladder cancer (BLCA) specimens were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-Seq database. Ferroptosis-related genes were downloaded from the FerrDb website. The ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which were related to overall survival (OS) were first identified. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression methods were utilized to develop a ferroptosis-related prognostic model (FRPM). In addition, a nomogram model based on FRPM and clinicopathological features was successfully constructed and validated. In addition, gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) methods were utilized in this study in order to compare the DEGs between the high-risk and low-risk groups. This study also adopted RT-qPCR, CCK-8 assay, and scratch assay methods to perform experimental verification processes.

Results and Discussion

A 7-gene FRPM was constructed in this research investigation in order to stratify the patients into two groups according to their risk scores. The results of this study’s survival analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the model had achieved a stable performance level. This multivariate Cox regression results revealed that the FRPM was an independent prognostic predictor for the OS of BLCA patients and the results were displayed using a nomogram. In addition, the ROC analysis, concordance index (C-index), calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves further indicated that this study’s nomogram method enabled valuable prediction results. The functional enrichment analysis results suggested that the DEGs between the high- and low-risk groups played vital roles in the progression of the ferroptosis. Also, the ssGSEA indicated that the immune status was different between the two groups. This study found that the RT-qPCR results had confirmed the differential expressions of DEGs in the tissue samples, and the CCK-8 assay and scratch assay results confirmed the promoting effects of SCD on the proliferation and migration of tumor cells.

Conclusions

This study defined a novel prognostic model of seven ferroptosis-related genes, which proved to be independently associated with the OS of BLCA. A nomogram method was developed for the purpose of providing further insight into the accurate predictions of BLCA prognoses.

Bladder Cancer: Current Challenges and Future Directions

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract and one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. While the clinical approach to BCa has remained largely unchanged for many years, recent discoveries have paved the way to a new era of diagnosis and management of the disease. BCa-specific mortality started to decrease in the regions with a wide range of activities leading to greater social awareness of the risk factors and the decline in carcinogenic exposure. The urologic community refines the role of transurethral surgery towards more rigorous and high-quality techniques. New agents have been approved for patients with BCG failure who faced radical cystectomy so far. Although radical removal of the bladder is the gold standard for muscle invasive cancer management, the extent and clinical value of lymphadenectomy is currently heavily challenged in randomized trials. Furthermore, alternatives to perioperative chemotherapy have arisen to increase the likelihood of complete treatment delivery and successful oncological outcomes. Finally, improvements in molecular biology and our understanding of tumorigenesis open the era of personalized medicine in bladder cancer. In the present review, the status and future directions in bladder cancer epidemiology, diagnosis and management are thoroughly discussed.

European Association of Urology (EAU) Prognostic Factor Risk Groups for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and WHO 1973 Classification Systems for Grade: An Update from the EAU NMIBC Guidelines Panel

BACKGROUND

The European Association of Urology (EAU) prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are used to provide recommendations for patient treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). They do not, however, take into account the widely used World Health Organization (WHO) 2004/2016 grading classification and are based on patients treated in the 1980s.

OBJECTIVE

To update EAU prognostic factor risk groups using the WHO 1973 and 2004/2016 grading classifications and identify patients with the lowest and highest probabilities of progression.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Individual patient data for primary NMIBC patients were collected from the institutions of the members of the EAU NMIBC guidelines panel.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent TURBT followed by intravesical instillations at the physician's discretion.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to the primary endpoint, the time to progression to muscle-invasive disease or distant metastases. Patients were divided into four risk groups: low-, intermediate-, high-, and a new, very high-risk group. The probabilities of progression were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

A total of 3401 patients treated with TURBT ± intravesical chemotherapy were included. From the multivariable analyses, tumor stage, WHO 1973/2004-2016 grade, concomitant carcinoma in situ, number of tumors, tumor size, and age were used to form four risk groups for which the probability of progression at 5 yr varied from <1% to >40%. Limitations include the retrospective collection of data and the lack of central pathology review.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides updated EAU prognostic factor risk groups that can be used to inform patient treatment and follow-up. Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and 1973 grading classifications, a new, very high-risk group has been identified for which urologists should be prompt to assess and adapt their therapeutic strategy when necessary.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The newly updated European Association of Urology prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer provide an improved basis for recommending a patient's treatment and follow-up schedule.

Association of patients' sex with treatment outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy for T1G3/HG bladder cancer

Purpose

To investigate the association of patients’ sex with recurrence and disease progression in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) for T1G3/HG urinary bladder cancer (UBC).

Materials and methods

We analyzed the data of 2635 patients treated with adjuvant intravesical BCG for T1 UBC between 1984 and 2019. We accounted for missing data using multiple imputations and adjusted for covariate imbalance between males and females using inverse probability weighting (IPW). Crude and IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of patients’ sex with HG-recurrence and disease progression.

Results

A total of 2170 (82%) males and 465 (18%) females were available for analysis. Overall, 1090 (50%) males and 244 (52%) females experienced recurrence, and 391 (18%) males and 104 (22%) females experienced disease progression. On IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, female sex was associated with disease progression (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.01–1.56, p = 0.04) but not with recurrence (HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.92–1.22, p = 0.41). A total of 1056 patients were treated with adequate BCG. In these patients, on IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, patients’ sex was not associated with recurrence (HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.80–1.24, p = 0.96), HG-recurrence (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.78–1.29, p = 0.99) or disease progression (HR 1.12, 95%CI 0.78–1.60, p = 0.55).

Conclusion

Our analysis generates the hypothesis of a differential response to BCG between males and females if not adequately treated. Further studies should focus on sex-based differences in innate and adaptive immune system and their association with BCG response.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00345-021-03653-1.

Fibronectin urothelial gene expression as a new reliable biomarker for early detection of local toxicity secondary to adjuvant intravesical therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Background:

A marker of urothelial damage could be helpful for early detection and monitoring of local toxicity due to intravesical therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between fibronectin (FN) gene expression in bladder washings and local toxicity secondary to adjuvant intravesical therapy.

Materials and methods:

Patients undergoing adjuvant intravesical therapy for NMIBC and age-matched healthy patients were enrolled. Real time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze FN expression in bladder washings. Local toxicity was classified as: 0–1 mild (no medical therapy), 2 moderate (medical therapy and/or instillation postponed), 3 severe (discontinuation of therapy).

Results:

Seventy-two patients and 21 controls entered the study. A useful pellet was obtained in 58 patients and 18 controls. Intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG), Epirubicin and Mitomycin C was offered to 69%, 13.8% and 17.2% of patients respectively. Compared with healthy controls (FN = 1.0 fold), overall median FN expression before adjuvant intravesical therapy was 1.73 fold [interquartile range (IQR) 0.8–2.3], while during therapy median FN expression increased to 3.41 (IQR: 1.6–6.1) fold. Considering 40 intermediate and high-risk patients undergoing intravesical BCG, median FN expression before adjuvant treatment was 1.92 [(IQR: 1.0–2.7) fold, increasing up to 4.1 (IQR: 1.9–6.6) during therapy. In more detail, FN increased during BCG therapy, showing a median expression of 4.22 (IQR: 2.2–5.5) and 6.16 (IQR: 2.6–8.7) fold in presence of grade 2 and 3 toxicity respectively, while remaining more or less stable in asymptomatic patients. After receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, FN value of 3.6 fold resulted, corresponding to 75% sensitivity and 69% specificity to predict grade 2–3 toxicity events (area under the curve 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.63–0.85, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our study validated the correlation between FN expression and urothelial damage. BCG seems to induce a urothelial activation with FN overexpression during adjuvant intravesical therapy. Grade of toxicity was related to FN expression.

Further Understanding of Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Overexpression in Urothelial Bladder Cancer Progression, Clinical Outcomes and Potential Therapeutic Targets

Purpose

The Plasminogen Activation System (PAS) plays a role in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis and has been associated with oncological outcomes in urinary bladder carcinoma (UBC). The use of the different components of this system as molecular markers could improve our understanding of the heterogeneous behavior of UBC and might enable earlier disease detection, individual risk stratification, more accurate outcome prediction and be a rationale for new targeted therapies.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search including relevant articles up to October 2020 was performed using the MEDLINE/PubMed database.

Results

The components of the PAS axis are involved in tumor progression through their signaling processes during angiogenesis, cell migration, metastasis and adhesion. The body of evidence shows an association of PAS component overexpression with adverse pathological features and clinical outcome in UBC. Overexpressed PAS components correlate with a higher pathological tumor grade and advanced tumor stage. In non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the PAS components were associated with disease outcome while in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), it was associated with disease outcome and pathological features. Possible therapeutic approaches in the PAS for the treatment of UBC have only been sparsely investigated in in vitro and in vivo studies. Intravesical plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) instillation in animal models yielded interesting results and warrant further exploration in Phase II studies.

Conclusion

The overexpression of PAS components in UBC tumor tissue is associated with adverse pathological features and worse oncological outcomes. These findings are mainly based on preclinical studies and retrospective series, which requires further prospective studies to translate the PAS into clinically useful biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Resveratrol, curcumin, paclitaxel and miRNAs mediated regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway: go four better to treat bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a leading cause of death among urothelial malignancies that more commonly affect male population. Poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy are the two most important characteristics of this disease. PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway has been considered pivotal in the regulation of proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and metastasis. Deregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling has been found in 40% of bladder cancers. Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to interact with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway with a different possible role in proliferation and apoptosis in bladder cancer. Thus, miRNAs can be used as potential biomarkers for BC. Natural compounds have been in the spotlight for the past decade due to their effective anti-proliferative capabilities. However, little is known of its possible effects in bladder cancer. The aim of this review is to discuss the interplay between PI3K/Akt/mTOR, miRNAs, and natural compounds and emphasize the importance of miRNAs as biomarkers and resveratrol, curcumin and paclitaxel as a possible therapeutic approach against bladder cancer.

Economic impacts of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy shortage and the proposed solutions for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder Cancer in Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia

Objective

To report the magnitude, the financial and the economic impact of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortage in our institute and transfer of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients to higher centers to receive the treatment.

Methods

This is a retrospective study, between January 2015 and December 2017, the cases of NMIBC diagnosed at Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia were studied. Demographic features, clinical presentations, histopathological features, and the BCG therapy shortage and its economic impact were addressed.

Results

Over a three years study review of 62 urothelial bladder cancer, NMIBC was diagnosed in 55 (89%) patients. Forty-three (78%) patients were males and 12 (22%) patients were females. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) (range) in this cohort was 59 ± 12 years (38-87). Gross hematuria was the main presentation in 51 (92%) patients of this cohort. Dysuria and other lower urinary tract symptoms were the presentations in 18 (32%) patients. Smoking history was positive in 33 (60%) patients and the rest 22 (40%) patients denied any form of tobacco consumptions. The BCG eligible were 46 (84%) patients of all NMIBC patients in this study. Twenty-seven (59%) patients of them received BCG in our institute. The rest 19 (41%) patients were opted to be transferred to a higher medical center to receive the BCG because of the BCG shortage in our center. The financial cost of traveling to receive the six-weeks induction BCG therapy was on average of 7200 Saudi riyals (1.745 €) for every patient.

Conclusions

The BCG shortage in our institute is almost approaching half of eligible BCG cases. This has had an economic impact on the health budget. Such health catastrophe could be mitigated with proper health plans of a provision of the BCG to all tertiary care centers. Alternative therapies for such cases should be considered in cases of global BCG shortage.

Oncological impact of inflammatory biomarkers in elderly patients treated with radical cystectomy for urothelial bladder cancer

Objective

To evaluate the impact of preoperative markers of systemic inflammation on complications and oncological outcomes in patients aged ≥75 years treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial bladder cancer (UBC).

Patients and methods

The clinical data of 694 patients treated with open RC for UBC at our institution between January 2008 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients aged <75 years, with distant metastases, other-than-urothelial histological type, comorbidities that could affect the systemic inflammatory markers, and patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Multivariable regression models were built for the prediction of major postoperative surgical complications, disease recurrence, cancer-specific mortality (CSM), and overall mortality (OM).

Results

The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at surgery was 79 (75–83) years. Major postoperative surgical complications were registered in 41.9% of the patients. The 5-year overall survival, cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival rates were 42.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.7–49.9%), 70.3% (95% CI 62.3–76.9%), and 59.8% (95% CI 52.4–66.5), respectively. At multivariable analysis, higher levels of fibrinogen and a modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) of 1 and 2 at baseline were independently associated with higher risk of major postoperative complications and of CSM. The inclusion of mGPS and fibrinogen to a standard multivariable model for recurrence and for CSM increased discrimination from 69.4% to 73.0% and from 71.3% to 73.9%, respectively. Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio of >3 was independently associated with OM (hazard ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.01–1.77; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

In a cohort of elderly patients with UBC treated with RC, fibrinogen and mGPS appeared to be the most relevant prognostic measurements and increased the accuracy of clinicopathological preoperative models to predict major postoperative complications, disease recurrence and mortality.

Abbreviations

ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; CCI: Charlson Comorbidity Index; CIS: carcinoma in situ; CRP: C-reactive protein; CSM: cancer-specific mortality; CSS: cancer-specific survival; ECOG PS: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; (S)HR: (subdistribution) hazard ratio; LND: lymphadenectomy; LVI: lymphovascular invasion; mGPS: modified Glasgow Prognostic Score; NLR: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; NOC: non-organ-confined; OM: overall mortality; OR: odds ratio; OS: overall survival; RC: radical cystectomy; RNU: radical nephroureterectomy; UBC: urothelial bladder cancer; UTUC: upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Genitourinary cancer management during a severe pandemic: Utility of rapid communication tools and evidence-based guidelines

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of social media for rapid communication with experts to discuss strategies for prioritization and safety of deferred treatment for urologic malignancies during COVID‐19 pandemic, and to determine whether the discourse and recommendations made through discussions on social media (Twitter) were consistent with the current peer‐reviewed literature regarding the safety of delayed treatment. Methods: We reviewed and compiled the responses to our questions on Twitter regarding the management and safety of deferred treatment in the setting of COVID‐19 related constraints on non‐urgent care. We chronicled the guidance published on this subject by various health authorities and professional organizations. Further, we analyzed peerreviewed literature on the safety of deferred treatment (surgery or systemic therapy) to make made evidence‐based recommendations. Results: Due to the rapidly changing information about epidemiology and infectious characteristics of COVID‐19, the health authorities and professional societies guidance required frequent revisions which by design take days or weeks to produce. Several active discussions on Twitter provided real‐time updates on the changing landscape of the restrictions being placed on non‐urgent care. For separate discussion threads on prostate cancer and bladder cancer, dozens of specialists with expertise in treating urologic cancers could be engaged in providing their expert opinions as well as share evidence to support their recommendations. Our analysis of published studies addressing the safety and extent to which delayed cancer care does not compromise oncological outcome revealed that most prostate cancer care and certain aspects of the bladder and kidney cancer care can be safely deferred for 2‐6 months. Urothelial bladder cancer and advanced kidney cancer require a higher priority for timely surgical care. We did not find evidence to support the idea of using nonsurgical therapies, such as hormone therapy for prostate cancer or chemotherapy for bladder cancer for safer deferment of previously planned surgery. We noted that the comments and recommendations made by the participants in the Twitter discussions were generally consistent with our evidence‐based recommendations for safely postponing cancer care for certain types of urologic cancers. Conclusion: The use of social media platforms, such as Twitter, where the comments and recommendations are subject to review and critique by other specialists is not only feasible but quite useful in addressing the situations requiring urgent resolution, often supported by published evidence. In circumstances such as natural disasters, this may be a preferable approach than the traditional expert panels due to its ability to harness the collective intellect to available experts to provide responses and solutions in real‐time. These real‐time communications via Twitter provided sound guidance which was readily available to the public and participants, and was generally in concordance with the peerreviewed data on safety of deferred treatment.

Evaluation of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system in predicting muscle invasion of bladder cancer

Background

To investigate the accuracy of using the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system in prediction preoperative muscle invasion of bladder cancer.

Methods

The study retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with bladder cancer who received multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between January 2017 and June 2019. Clinical and pathological parameters were collected. Bladder tumors were re-evaluated with 5-point VI-RADS scoring system by two experienced radiologists independently. The VI-RADS score was compared with postoperative pathology for each tumor for determining muscle invasion. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each VI-RADS cutoff.

Results

A total of 126 patients were included in analysis, with 82 patients received transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBt) while 44 underwent radical cystectomy. Fifty patients were muscle-invasive bladder cancer and 76 were non-muscle invasive tumor confirmed pathologically. VI-RADS score was only predictive factor to muscle invasion in multivariate analysis. Setting VI-RADS score greater than or equal to 4 reached the best sensitivity and specificity of 94.00% and 92.11%, with PPV and NPV value of 88.68% and 95.89%.

Conclusions

VI-RADS score system is a promising and effective modality in determining detrusor muscle invasion of bladder cancer preoperatively.

Predictive factors of the absence of residual disease at repeated transurethral resection of the bladder. Is there a possibility to avoid it in well-selected patients?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the predictive factors of pT0 at repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) in pT1 high-grade (HG) nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer in order to explore the possibility to avoid it in well-selected patients.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study included patients with pT1HG nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer from 4 different centers who underwent a complete TURB. Re-TURB was defined as a second resection which involved the site of the first TURB performed within 2-6 weeks from the previous resection. A multivariable logistic-regression model was performed to evaluate the predictors of pT0 at re-TURB. A nomogram was built to calculate the probability of obtaining a negative histology at re-TURB. The performance of the nomogram and its net benefit were tested with the decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 321 patients were included in the study. On multivariable logistic regression, detrusor muscle in the specimen (HR 1.99, P = 0.02), concomitant carcinoma in situ (HR 0.29, P = 0.005) and resection performed with en-bloc technique (HR 7.71, P = 0.01) were independent predictors of pT0 at re-TURB. Decision curve analysis showed a net benefit for the nomogram for each probability over 0.35 compared to the strategy to perform a re-TURB in all pT1HG tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of detrusor muscle in TURB specimen, the absence of concomitant carcinoma in situ and the en-bloc resection were able to predict a negative histology at re-TURB, opening the door to the possibility to avoid it in an extremely well-selected cohort of patients. External validations and prospective studies are urgently needed.

Prognostic value of T1 substaging on oncological outcomes in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic value of substaging on oncological outcomes in patients with T (or pT1) urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods

A literature search using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted on March 2019 to identify relevant studies according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The pooled disease recurrence (DR) and disease progression (DP) rate in T1(or pT1) patients were calculated using a fixed or random effects model.

Results

Overall 36 studies published between 1994 and 2018 including a total of 6781 bladder cancer patients with T1(or pT1) stage were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Twenty-nine studies reported significant association between tumor infiltration depth or muscularis mucosa (MM) invasion and oncological outcomes. Totally 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. MM invasion (T1a/b/c [or pT1a/b/c] or T1a/b [or pT1a/b] substaging system) was associated with DR (pooled HR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.01–1.49) and DP (pooled HR: 2.61, 95%CI: 1.61–4.23). Tumor infiltration depth (T1 m/e [or pT1 m/e] substaging system) was also associated with DR (pooled HR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.11–2.00) and DP (pooled HR: 3.29, 95%CI: 2.39–4.51).

Conclusions

T1(or pT1) substaging in patients with bladder cancer is of prognostic value as it is associated with oncologic outcomes. Inclusion of this factors into the clinical decision-making process of this heterogeneous tumor may improve outcomes, while avoiding over- and under-treatment for T1(or pT1) bladder cancer.

Tissue biomarkers in nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer: any role in clinical practice?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize recent findings on tissue biomarkers for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with an emphasis on their prognostic and predictive role.

RECENT FINDINGS

Accurate risk stratification is essential and the major driver in patient counseling regarding surveillance and decision making relative to therapeutic strategies. In NMIBC, there is an unmet need for improving the accuracy of current prognostic and predictive models, which rely only on clinicopathologic features and do not reflect the biological heterogeneity of the cancer in each individual. Studies continuously shed novel light on some processes involved in cancerogenesis, host response and interactions in the tumor's own microenvironment, which may be considered as potential biomarkers and targets for future directed therapies.

SUMMARY

Biomarkers are necessary to transform bladder cancer management and usher in the age of personalized medicine. The clinical use is, however, still limited because of heterogeneity in study design, staining methods and an overall lacking adherence to a structured biomarker testing process.

Predicting outcomes in non-muscle invasive (Ta/T1) bladder cancer: the role of molecular grade based on luminal/basal phenotype

Bladder cancer tumors can be divided into two molecular subtypes referred to as luminal or basal. Each subtype may react differently to current chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Likewise, the technology required for comprehensive molecular analysis is expensive and not yet applicable for routine clinical diagnostics. Therefore, it has been suggested that the immunohistochemical expressions of only two markers, luminal (CK20+, CK5/6-) and basal (CK5/6+, CK20-), is sufficient to identify the molecular subtypes of bladder cancer. This would represent a molecular grade that could be used in daily practice. Molecular classification is done using immunohistochemistry to assess luminal-basal phenotype based on tissular expression of CK20 and CK5/6 as surrogate for luminal or basal subtypes, respectively. A series of 147 non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma cases was selected, and the tumors were divided into four subgroups based on the presence of CK20 and/or CK5/6, that is, null (CK20-, CK5/6-), mixed (CK20+, CK5/6+), basal (CK20-, CK5/6+), and luminal (CK20+, CK5/6-) categories. Survival analysis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Hazard ratios were calculated by Cox multivariate analysis. The molecular grade included cases with null (n = 89), mixed (n = 6), basal (n = 20), and luminal (n = 32) phenotypes with differences in recurrence-free, progression-free and cancer-specific survival associated with molecular-grade categories in patients with low- or high-grade Ta, or high-grade T1 tumors. The multivariate analysis identified the luminal phenotype as a predictor of more aggressive neoplasms. Our findings provide a rationale to investigate luminal and basal subtypes of bladder cancer using two gene expression signatures as surrogate markers and show that non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma can be stratified into biologically and clinically different subgroups by using an immunohistochemical classifier.

Individual patient risk of progression of urinary bladder papillary tumors estimated from biomarkers at initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor

OBJECTIVE

To determine if individual, instead of group, patient progression risk could be predicted using p53, Ki67 and CK20 biomarker percentage values at initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimens.

METHODS

This was an observational study where biomarkers were measured with no knowledge of tumor outcome. Initial bladder tumor specimens were classified as non-invasive and invasive to sub-epithelium (pT1). Percentages of stained biomarker cells were tested as progression predictors from non-invasive to pT1 and pT1 to pT2. Progression probability was correlated with biomarker percentages resulting in a regression equation.

RESULTS

We studied 112 patients (median age = 67, range 37-91, males 83/112 (73%), with median follow-up of 39 months (range 1.7-140). Mean biomarker values were higher in stage pT1 than in non-invasive (all p < 0.001). Cut-off points separating progression from non-progression groups in stage pT1 were higher than in non-invasive for all biomarkers. Correlation R values for progression probability vs. biomarker percentages varied from 0.7 to 0.9 (all p < 0.001), regression slopes from 0.1 to 0.8 and intercepts from 11 to 35. A novel individual progression probability was calculated as the product of biomarker percentage of stained cells and slope, plus the prevalence-adjusted intercept.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of individual risk of progression in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors was possible using p53- and Ki67-derived progression probability using a regression equation. Combining biomarker-derived progression probability to tumor stage pT1 improves progression to pT2 predictive accuracy.

Prognostic value of modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with transurethral resection of bladder with or without intravesical therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our medical records to identify 1,096 consecutive patients with NMIBC treated with transurethral resection of bladder. The mGPS of each patient was calculated on the basis of preoperative serum C-reactive protein and albumin. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of mGPS with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

The mGPS of 0, 1, and 2 was observed in 764 (69.7%), 299 (27.3%), and 33 (3.0%) patients, respectively. On univariable analysis, mGPS 2 was associated with worse RFS (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.60, 95%; CI: 1.01-2.54). However, on multivariable analyses, which adjusted for the effects of established clinicopathologic features, mGPS 2 did not maintain its independent association with RFS (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.88-2.26). On multivariable analysis, mGPS 1 and 2 were both independently associated with worse PFS compared to mGPS 0 (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.37-3.12 and HR: 3.31, 95% CI: 1.40-7.87, respectively). The inclusion of mGPS improved the discrimination of a standard prognostic model for PFS from 71.6% to 73.8%. In subgroup analyses, mGPS 1 was associated with PFS (HR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.24-3.52) on multivariable analysis in patients with the European Association of Urology high-risk group. Additionally, in patients treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin, mGPS 2 was associated with disease PFS (HR10.1, 95% CI: 2.61-38.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The mGPS independently predicts PFS in patients with NMIBC. Inclusion of mGPS in prognostic models might help identify patients who are more likely to fail standard therapy and experience disease progression and, therefore, may benefit from intensified therapy such as radical cystectomy or inclusion in clinical trials of novel immunotherapeutics.