Fluorescence in situ hybridization status of voided urine predicts invasive and high-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Utility of The Paris System (TPS) for upper urinary tract cytopathology: correlation with histology follow-up and UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis

INTRODUCTION

The Paris System (TPS) provides a uniform reporting system of urine cytology based on well-defined cytologic criteria. Due to their rarity, there are limited data on the utility of TPS in upper urinary tract (UUT) lesions and follow-up histology of cases with abnormal cytology. We aimed to evaluate the utility of TPS for UUT lesions by correlating the cytologic diagnoses using TPS criteria with subsequent histology. Additionally, the diagnostic utility of UroVysion (Abbott) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 148 UUT cytology specimens were retrospectively identified (2018-2022). Cytologic interpretation was performed using TPS, and then correlated with the findings of concurrent or subsequent histologic specimens. The performance of UroVysion FISH was analyzed. Sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for detecting high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) were determined.

RESULTS

Among 83 patients who had concurrent or subsequent histologic specimens, cyto-histologic discrepancy was seen in 7 cases (8.4%). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV using TPS criteria for detecting HGUC were 87%, and 92%, 96.4%, and 73%, respectively. UroVysion FISH was performed in 21 patients with atypical cytologic findings. The sensitivity and specificity of UroVysion for detecting HGUC was 75% and 86%, respectively, while PPV and NPV were 86% and 75%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, the application of TPS criteria for reporting upper urinary cytology was reliable at detecting UUT lesions, especially HGUC. UroVysion FISH was a valuable ancillary test for detecting HGUC of UUT.

Evaluation of the diagnostic efficiency of voided urine fluorescence in situ hybridization for predicting the pathology of preoperative "low-risk" upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical utility of voided urine fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for predicting the pathology of preoperative "low-risk" upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Methods

Information of patients preoperatively diagnosed with "low-risk" UTUC receiving radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) between May 2014 and October 2019 were retrospectively collected. All of the patients accepted the FISH test and then were divided into two groups according to the results of FISH. The diagnostic value of FISH was assessed through the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and area under the curve. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine FISH as a predictive factor of tumor final stage and grade of preoperative "low-risk" UTUC.

Results

In total, 129 patients were included. Of them, 70 (54.2%) were marked with positive FISH result. The difference at final pathology in tumor stage and tumor grade between these two groups of FISH (-) and FISH (+) had significantly statistical significance (p<0.001). Regarding to the tumor stage at final pathology, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FISH were 70.7 (58.9-80.3)68.5 (54.3-80.1)75.7 (63.7-84.8) and 62.7 (49.1-74.7), respectively. Regarding to the tumor grade at final pathology, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FISH were 64.7 (53.5-74.6), 65.9 (50.0-79.1), 78.6 (66.8-87.1) and 49.1 (36.5-62.3), respectively. The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that FISH could predict the pathologic characteristics of preoperative "low-risk" UTUC independently.

Conclusions

FISH was qualified with relatively high diagnostic estimates for predicting tumor stage and grade of preoperative "low-risk" UTUC, and could be an independent predictive factor in clinical practice. For preoperative "low-risk" UTUC patients but with positive FISH result, choosing nephron-sparing surgery may require special caution.

Free Ferrous Protoporphyrin and Reactive Oxygen Species Status of Voided Urine Predicts Higher Stage in Urothelial Carcinoma

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the free ferrous protoporphyrin and reactive oxygen species (FH and ROS) combined test and the tumor grade and stage in a pathologically confirmed uroepithelial carcinoma (UC) patient population.

Patients and Methods

In this retrospective study, we enrolled patients newly diagnosed with UC between May 2020 and June 2021. All patients were classified as FH(+) and ROS(+), FH(+) and ROS(-), or FH(-) and ROS(-), based on the FH and ROS combined test of voided urine. Demographic information, pathological results, and status of the FH and ROS combined test were reviewed retrospectively. The relationship between FH and ROS combined test status and tumor stage and grade was evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

This study included 120 UC patients with a median age of 69 years (interquartile range [IQR] 62–77 years). Eighteen patients (15%) were diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinoma, and the others (85%) were diagnosed with bladder cancer. The pathological stages for those with FH(+) and ROS(+) at diagnosis were 25.0% Ta, 45.8% T1, and 29.2% ≥T2. The pathological stages for those with FH(+) and ROS(-) at diagnosis were 23.5% Ta, 35.3% T1, and 41.2% ≥T2. The pathological stages for those with FH(-) and ROS(-) at diagnosis were 52.6% Ta, 26.3% T1, and 21.1% ≥T2. After adjusting for clinical factors, including age, sex, and smoking history, FH(+) and ROS(-) were independent risk factors for muscle-invasive UC (≥T2 stage) at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 3.379; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.103–10.355; P=0.033) in the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Conclusion

Among patients with newly diagnosed UC, FH(+) and ROS(-) might have an association with a more advanced pathological stage. This finding may help differentiate between patients with aggressive diseases and those who may benefit from organ-sparing surgery.

UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization in urothelial carcinoma: a narrative review and future perspectives

The number of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) is high, with a corresponding demand for detecting UC easily and non-invasively. Cystoscopy and urine cytology, with widely known diagnostic accuracies, are the gold standards for identifying UC originating from the bladder. However, cystoscopy or other tests, such as ureteroscopy or retrograde pyelography, are uncomfortable for patients. Tests for urinary biomarkers are expected to satisfy the demand for less invasive tests that will benefit patients with anxiety for invasive tests such as cystoscopy or ureteroscopy. Although several urinary biomarkers have been reported to support the diagnosis or follow-up of UC, their use in the clinic is uncommon. The UroVysion test examines urinary biomarkers using a multitarget, multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay. The test uses exfoliated cells found in urine and is a mixture of centromeric fluorescent denatured chromosome enumeration probes for chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 (labelled stratum red, spectrum green and spectrum aqua, respectively), and a locus-specific identifier probe for 9p21 (spectrum gold). It is used for the initial diagnosis of patients with hematuria or the monitoring of patients previously diagnosed with bladder cancer. Almost 20 years have passed since UroVysion was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and so this is a well-established test. However, room exists for further research, with numerous reports on this test having been recently published. In order to update our knowledge, we herein present a brief overview of UroVysion and its features that follows the latest findings as they relate to UC.

The Impact of Fluorescence in situ Hybridization on the Staging of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) diagnostics on the T stage in final histology specimen of patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) due to upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) at a large tertiary care center.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent RNU at our center between 2008 and 2020. Inclusion criteria were RNU due to UTUC. Urine cytologies were used for FISH analysis to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Pre-FISH group was defined as patients without access to routine preoperative urinary FISH testing (2008-2014), and FISH group was defined as patients with access to routine FISH testing. Primary outcome was T stage in final histology. Statistical analysis was performed by χ2 test and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Out of 212 patients who underwent RNU at our center between 2008 and 2020, 155 patients were included into the final analysis. The median age was 71 (range 33-90) years, and 108 (69.7%) patients were male and 47 (30.3%) female. Age and gender were not differently distributed in both groups (age: p = 0.925; gender: p = 0.682). Organ-confined disease was found in 37/72 patients in the pre-FISH cohort and in 48/83 patients in the FISH cohort (p = 0.422). Within organ-confined disease, 18/37 patients revealed a T stage smaller than T1 in the pre-FISH cohort and 35/48 patients in the FISH cohort (p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative FISH diagnostics add important information to preoperative diagnostic workup of patients with UTUC. Within organ-confined disease, a significant shift toward T stages lower than T1 is observed. Further research is required to determine the impact of this shift on survival in UTUC.

Recent advances in upper tract urothelial carcinomas: From bench to clinics

Urothelial carcinoma in the upper tract is rare and often discussed separately. Many established risk factors were identified for the disease, including genetic and external risk factors. Radiographic survey, endoscopic examination and urine cytology remained the most important diagnostic modalities. In localized upper tract urothelial carcinomas, radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision are the gold standard for large, high-grade and suspected invasive tumors of the renal pelvis and proximal ureter, whereas kidney-sparing surgeries should be considered in patients with low-risk disease. Advances in technology have given endoscopic surgery an important role, not only in diagnosis, but also in treatment. Although platinum-based combination chemotherapy is efficacious in advanced or metastatic disease, current established chemotherapy regimens are toxic and lack a sustained response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have led to a new era of treatment for advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinomas. The remarkable results achieved thus far show that immunotherapy will likely be the future treatment paradigm. The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other agents is another inspiring avenue to explore that could benefit even more patients. With respect to the high incidence rate and different clinical appearance of upper tract urothelial carcinomas in Taiwan, a possible correlation exists between exposure to certain external risk factors, such as arsenic in drinking water and aristolochic acid in Chinese herbal medicine. As more gene sequencing differences between upper tract urothelial carcinomas and various disease causes are detailed, this has warranted the era of individualized screening and treatment for the disease.

Microscopic hematuria predicts lower stage in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the association between the severity of hema-turia (microscopic or gross) and the tumor stage and grade in a population of histopathologically confirmed upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients.

Patients and methods

We conducted a multicenter, observational study of patients who were newly diagnosed with UTUC between January 2011 and December 2016. Demographic information, pathology, and the status of hematuria were retrospectively reviewed. The association between the severity of hematuria and the tumor stage and grade was evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

The UTUC patients presented with gross hematuria (GH, 76.7%), microscopic hematuria (MH, 11.1%), and no hematuria (12.2%) at the time of diagnosis. The pathological stages at diagnosis for those with MH were Ta in 5.1%, T1 in 47.5%, and ≥T2 in 47.5%. The stages at diagnosis for those with GH were Ta in 1.7%, T1 in 35.5%, and ≥T2 in 62.7%. On univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, after adjusting for clinical factors such as age, gender, and smoking history, GH was an independent risk factor for muscle-invasive UTUC (≥T2 disease) at diagnosis (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.073–3.329; P=0.027). High-grade tumor was found in 47.8% of patients with GH and 39.0% of those with MH. The severity of hematuria was not associated with tumor grade.

Conclusion

We are the first to report evidence that microscopic hematuria at presentation accurately predicts lower pathological stage in patients with newly diagnosed UTUC. Earlier detection of disease, before the development of GH, may influence the treatment decision and survival. The type of hematuria at the time of diagnosis does not impact the tumor grade.

Auxiliary diagnostic value of p16 amplification combined with the detection of heterozygous and homozygous loss for urothelial carcinoma

The present study aimed to investigate the significance of detecting cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16) gene aberrations in the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC) using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A total of 77 voided urine specimens from 65 patients with UC and 12 patients with benign urinary disease were recruited into the current study. Under a fluorescence microscope, cells with large and irregular nuclei were assessed for chromosomal aberrations. The positive rate of p16 amplification in UC samples was 32.3% (21/65), which was significantly higher than that in benign urinary disease samples (16.7%, 2/12; P<0.05). Heterozygous and homozygous loss of p16 was identified in 12 (18.5%) and 23 (35.4%) patients with UC, respectively; p16 expression in the remainder of patients was normal. In addition, as tumor stage or grade advanced, the positive rate of p16 aberrations also increased significantly (P<0.05). In conclusion, p16 gene aberrations may serve important roles in the auxiliary diagnosis of UC by FISH and could be utilized to monitor UC progression.

Detection of urothelial carcinoma, upper tract urothelial carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, and urothelial carcinoma with gross hematuria using selected urine-DNA methylation biomarkers: A prospective, single-center study

INTRODUCTION

Hematuria is the most common symptom of urothelial carcinomas (UC) but is often idiopathic. Cystoscopy is expensive which involves considerable patient discomfort, and conventional urine cytology for noninvasive UC detection and disease monitoring suffers from poor sensitivity. We aim to evaluate the performance of genes selected from a previous study in detecting UC, especially among patients with gross hematuria, as well as upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and bladder carcinoma separately, in voided urine samples.

METHODS

Using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, we examined the promoter methylation status of 10 genes in voided urine samples among 473 patients at our institution, including 217 UC patients and 256 control subjects.

RESULTS

The final combination of VIM, CDH1, SALL3, TMEFF2, RASSF1A, BRCA1, GDF15, and ABCC6 identified UC with a sensitivity of 0.83 and a specificity of 0.60. Additionally, a panel of selected genes (CDH1, HSPA2, RASSF1A, TMEFF2, VIM, and GDF15) identified UTUC with a sensitivity of 0.82 and a specificity of 0.68, while a panel of selected genes (VIM, RASSF1A, GDF15, and TMEFF2) identified bladder carcinoma with a sensitivity of 0.82 and a specificity of 0.53. Remarkably, a different panel (CDH1, SALL3, THBS1, TMEFF2, VIM, and GDF15) identified UC in patients with gross hematuria with 0.89 sensitivity and 0.74 specificity, and sensitivity (0.91) and specificity (0.92) could be achieved when cytology was included.

CONCLUSIONS

The selected urine-DNA methylation biomarkers are reliable, noninvasive, and cost-effective diagnostic tools for bladder carcinoma and UTUC, especially among patients with gross hematuria.

Positive urinary fluorescence in situ hybridization indicates poor prognosis in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Here, we evaluated the potential contribution of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) as a prognostic risk factor of bladder recurrence and survival in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). A total of 159 UTUC patients were enrolled in this study from January 2012 to May 2016. The 159 voided urine samples before surgery were analyzed using the UroVysion^® kit to detect the copy numbers of chromosomes 3, 7, 17 and 9p21 (p16). Patients were classified using an optimal cutoff value of chromosomes 3, 7, 17, and 9p21. Cox's proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the prognostic value of FISH for bladder recurrence and survival. We found that 27 (17.6%) patients experienced bladder recurrence and 26 (16.4%) patients died from cancer, with a median follow-up of 27 months. The patients with positive FISH result were more likely to present bladder recurrence (p = 0.077). However, positive FISH was not associated with cancer specific-free survival (CSS) (p = 0.944). Tumor multifocality, the percentage of abnormal chromosome 3 > 5%, chromosome 7 > 6%, chromosome 17 > 11% and deletion of p16 > 4% were significant prognostic risk factors for BRFS in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only tumor multifocality (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.487, 95%CI: 1.605–7.576, p = 0.002) and the percentage of p16 loss > 4% were both prognostic risk factors for bladder recurrence (HR = 3.487, 95%CI: 1.605–7.576, p = 0.002). These data consider that the urinary FISH test could be a powerful tool in predicting the risk of bladder recurrence in patients with UTUC.