Recombinant antithrombin attenuates acute kidney injury associated with rhabdomyolysis: an in vivo animal study

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by the destruction and necrosis of skeletal muscle tissue, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI). Recombinant antithrombin (rAT) has DNA repair and vascular endothelial-protection properties. Herein, we investigated whether rAT therapy has beneficial effects against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI. Ten-week-old male B6 mice were injected with 5 mL/kg of 50% glycerol intramuscularly in the left thigh after 24 h of fasting to create a rhabdomyolysis mouse model. Further, 750 IU/kg rAT was injected intraperitoneally at 24 and 72 h after the rhabdomyolysis model was established. The mice were euthanized after 96 h for histological analysis. Saline was administered to mice in the control group.

RESULTS

Blood tests show elevated serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in rhabdomyolysis. Loss of tubular epithelial cell nuclei and destruction of the tubular luminal surface structure was observed in the untreated group, which improved with rAT treatment. Immunostaining for Ki-67 showed increased Ki-67-positive nuclei in the tubular epithelial cells in the rAT group, suggesting that rAT may promote tubular epithelial cell regeneration. The microvilli of the brush border of the renal tubules were shed during rhabdomyolysis, and rAT treatment reduced this injury. The vascular endothelial glycocalyx, which is usually impaired by rhabdomyolysis, became functional following rAT treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with rAT suppressed rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, suggesting that rAT therapy may be a novel therapeutic approach.

Glycocalyx analysis of bladder cancer: three-dimensional images in electron microscopy and vicia villosa lectin as a marker for invasiveness in frozen sections

Introduction: The abnormal glycocalyx (GCX) on the surface of cancer cells has been reported to be tall and aberrantly glycosylated and has been linked to the progression and spread of cancer-a finding also observed in bladder cancer. However, the characteristics of GCX in various types of human bladder cancer remain unknown, and herein, we aimed to provide information on the diversity of glycan components in the GCX of bladder cancers and to shed light on their characteristics. Methods: We used scanning electron microscopy and lanthanum staining to examine the surface GCX of human bladder carcinomas in three-dimensional images, showing the bulky GCX in some carcinomas. We also examined glycan alterations in early to progressive stages of bladder cancers using 20 distinct lectin stains on frozen sections from transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Results and discussion: Distinctive Vicia villosa lectin (VVL) staining was observed in invasive urothelial carcinomas, including those with muscle invasion and variant components. In the clinical setting, cancers with atypia of grades 2-3 had a significantly higher VVL scoring intensity than those with grade 1 atypia (p < 0.005). This study identified that a specific lectin, VVL, was more specific to invasive urothelial carcinomas. This lectin, which selectively binds to sites of cancer progression, is a promising target for drug delivery in future clinical investigations.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes and complications between intracorporeal, extracorporeal, and hybrid ileal conduit urinary diversion during robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a comparative propensity score-matched analysis from nationwide multi-institutional study in Japan

BACKGROUND

To investigate the impact of different urinary diversion (UD) techniques on the peri- and postoperative complications of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with ileal conduit.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 373 patients undergoing RARC with ileal conduit at 11 institutions in Japan between April 2018 and December 2021. Propensity score weighting was performed to adjust for confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index, performance status, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, previous abdominal surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and preoperative high T stage (≥ cT3) and high N stage (≥ cN1). Perioperative complications were then compared among three groups: extracorporeal, intracorporeal, and hybrid urinary diversion (ECUD, ICUD, and HUD, respectively).

RESULTS

A total of 150, 68, and 155 patients received ECUD, HUD, and ICUD, respectively. Bowel reconstruction time and UD time were significantly shorter in the ECUD group (p < 0.001), and console time was significantly longer and blood loss was significantly higher in the ICUD group (p < 0.001). For postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo Classification grade ≥ 3), surgical site infection (p = 0.004), pelvic abscess (p = 0.013), anastomotic urine leak (p = 0.007), and pelvic organ prolapse (p = 0.011) significantly occurred in the ECUD group. For all grades, ileus was more common in the HUD group, whereas anastomotic stricture was more common in the ECUD group compared with the other groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Severe complications did not increase after HUD and ICUD compared with ECUD; however, console time tended to be longer and blood loss was slightly higher during RARC.

Utility and safety of robot-assisted radical cystectomy in older patients with bladder cancer

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in older patients with bladder cancer (BCa).Material and methods: We reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 110 patients with BCa who underwent RARC at Gifu University Hospital between February 2019 and January 2023. Older patients were defined as those with BCa aged ≥ 75 years. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: those aged < 75 years (Group I) and those aged ≥ 75 years (Group II). Oncological outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), were the primary endpoints of the study; the secondary endpoints were the surgical and pathological outcomes.Results: A shorter console time, less blood loss, and reduced time to postoperative fluid and food intake in Group II may be attributed to the fact that more patients opted for ureterocutaneostomy in Group II than in Group I. In all patients, the three-year OS and RFS rates were 84.7% and 88.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences in OS or RFS between the two groups. (p = .403, p = .963, respectively).Conclusions: RARC appears to be a safe and useful treatment option for older patients with BCa.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Predicts Prognosis in Japanese Patients with LATITUDE High-Risk Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Multi-Center Study

Malnutrition is associated with prognosis in cancer. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), based on the ratio of actual to ideal body weight and also serum albumin level, is a simple screening tool for assessing nutrition. We investigated the GNRI as a prognostic factor for oncological outcomes in patients with high-risk metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) using a Japanese multicenter cohort. This study included a total of 175 patients with LATITUDE high-risk mHSPC, of whom 102 had received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus upfront abiraterone acetate, and 73 had received ADT plus bicalutamide (Bica), from 14 institutions associated with the Tokai Urologic Oncology Research Seminar. Patients were classified into GNRI-low (<98) or GNRI-high (≥98) groups. The GNRI was based on the body mass index and serum albumin level. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the median overall survival (OS) of a GNRI-low group (median 33.7 months; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.2-not reached [NR]) was significantly worse than that of a GNRI-high group (median: NR; 95% CI: NR-NR; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified Bica and low GNRI (<98) as independent prognostic factors for reduced times to both castration-resistant prostate cancer and OS, and, therefore, a poor prognosis. Our findings indicate the GNRI may be a practical prognostic indicator in the evaluation of survival outcomes in patients with LATITUDE high-risk mHSPC.

Biochemical recurrence after chemohormonal therapy followed by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in very-high-risk prostate cancer patients

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has become one of the standard radical treatments for prostate cancer (PCa). A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted on patients with PCa who underwent RARP at Gifu University Hospital between September 2017 and September 2022. In this study, patients were classified into three groups based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk classification: low/intermediate-risk, high-risk, and very-high-risk groups. Patients with high- and very-high-risk PCa who were registered in the study received neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy prior to RARP. Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) after RARP in patients with PCa was the primary endpoint of this study. The secondary endpoint was the relationship between biochemical recurrence (BCR) and clinical covariates. We enrolled 230 patients with PCa in our study, with a median follow-up of 17.0 months. When the time of follow-up was over, 19 patients (8.3%) had BCR, and the 2 years BRFS rate for the enrolled patients was 90.9%. Although there was no significant difference in BRFS between the low- and intermediate-risk group and the high/very-high-risk group, the 2 years BRFS rate was 100% in the high-risk group and 68.3% in the very-high-risk group (P = 0.0029). Multivariate analysis showed that positive surgical margins were a significant predictor of BCR in patients with PCa treated with RARP. Multimodal therapies may be necessary to improve the BCR in patients with very-high-risk PCa.

Case of extragonadal germ cell tumor mimicking left adrenal tumor

A 30-year-old man presented to his previous physician with left abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a left retroperitoneal mass with calcification, measuring 15 × 9 × 6 cm, and the patient was referred to our hospital for further examination. Based on the endocrinologic examination and magnetic resonance imaging results, the patient was diagnosed with a nonfunctional left adrenal tumor, and laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed well-defined boundaries between the tumor and the left adrenal gland, and the tumor was diagnosed as a non-seminoma consisting mainly of an immature teratoma with germ cell neoplasm in situ.

Prognostic Factors for Resolution Delay of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Prostate Cancer after Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy

Urinary storage symptoms after low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) with iodine-125 have been noted to be less likely to improve to baseline compared to voiding symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the chronological changes in the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and the time-to-resolution of OABSS in patients undergoing LDR-BT. Patients with prostate cancer who underwent LDR-BT at Gifu University Hospital were enrolled. The OABSS was evaluated before and after LDR-BT. Patients were divided into the OABSS resolution and resolution delay groups, and the association between OABSS resolution delay and clinicopathological covariates was evaluated. In total, 237 patients were enrolled in this study, with a median follow-up of 88.3 months. The OABSS in both groups worsened at 3 months following operation and gradually recovered at 9 months; however, the OABSS in the resolution delay group tended to worsen again after that. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative OABSS and the change from baseline to maximal OABSS were associated with OABSS resolution. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the delayed resolution of OABSS after LDR-BT in patients with prostate cancer. A low baseline OABSS and significant changes in the OABSS from baseline were independent predictors of delayed OABSS resolution.

Perilesional Targeted Biopsy Combined with MRI-TRUS Image Fusion-Guided Targeted Prostate Biopsy: An Analysis According to PI-RADS Scores

A prostate-targeted biopsy (TB) core is usually collected from a site where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicates possible cancer. However, the extent of the lesion is difficult to accurately predict using MRI or TB alone. Therefore, we performed several biopsies around the TB site (perilesional [p] TB) and analyzed the association between the positive cores obtained using TB and pTB and the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores. This retrospective study included patients who underwent prostate biopsies. The extent of pTB was defined as the area within 10 mm of a TB site. A total of 162 eligible patients were enrolled. Prostate cancer (PCa) was diagnosed in 75.2% of patients undergoing TB, with a positivity rate of 50.7% for a PI-RADS score of 3, 95.8% for a PI-RADS score of 4, and 100% for a PI-RADS score of 5. Patients diagnosed with PCa according to both TB and pTB had significantly higher positivity rates for PI-RADS scores of 4 and 5 than for a PI-RADS score of 3 (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0009, respectively). Additional pTB may be performed in patients with PI-RADS ≥ 4 regions of interest for assessing PCa malignancy.

Temporary Tumor Shrinkage Following Enfortumab Vedotin Therapy for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma After Radical Cystectomy With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Case Report

A 39-year-old Japanese male patient presented with a chief complaint of gross hematuria persistent for two months. However, no relevant findings in the patient's medical and family history were observed. He was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, clinical stage T2bN0M0. After four courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin, the tumor size reduced by approximately 30%. The patient underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy with standard lymph node dissection followed by intracorporeal ileal conduit reconstruction. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a high-grade urothelial carcinoma invading the fatty tissue surrounding the bladder and metastasizing to the lymph nodes, with a pathological stage of ypT3aypN2M0. Four months after surgery, multiple metastases were detected, and treatment with pembrolizumab was initiated immediately. However, the patient did not respond to pembrolizumab. Therefore, a third-line treatment with enfortumab vedotin (EV) was initiated. Thereafter, the metastatic lesion shrank quickly, and the metastatic lesions almost disappeared after two courses of EV administration. Although new metastases were observed at other sites, there has been no regrowth to date. EV-related adverse events were not observed during follow-up. Eighteen months after the surgery, the patient remains alive with multiple metastases. Therefore, the sequence of treatment should be considered to maximize the therapeutic effect of EV, and, consequently, administering EV as early as possible may be important.

Chronological Changes of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Elderly Patients with Prostate Cancer after Low-Dose-Rate Prostate Brachytherapy

BACKGROUND

To compare chronological changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after low-dose-rate prostate extended-release therapy (LDR-BT) using the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) in patients aged ≥ 75 years (elderly group) versus those aged < 75 years (control group).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with prostate cancer who underwent LDR-BT at Gifu University Hospital were included in this study. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), OABSS, and quality of life-based on urinary symptoms (IPSS-QOL) were evaluated before and after LDR-BT. We compared chronological changes in IPSS, OABSS, and IPSS-QOL in the elderly group with those in the control group and assessed the association between the resolution of OABSS and clinicopathological covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 484 patients were enrolled in this study. In the elderly group, the total IPSS, OABSS, and frequency scores increased at 1 month postoperatively, whereas the control group showed an increase at 3 months postoperatively. Multivariate analysis identified changes from baseline to the maximum OABSS and pre-treatment OABSS as significant predictors of delayed resolution of OABSS after LDR-BT.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in pre-treatment OABSS and pre- and post-LDR-BT OABSS values were independent predictors of delayed resolution of OABSS; however, no correlation was found with age.

Associations of Clinical and Dosimetric Parameters with Urinary Toxicities after Prostate Brachytherapy: A Long-Term Single-Institution Experience

To examine the association of clinical, treatment, and dose parameters with late urinary toxicity after low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for prostate cancer, we retrospectively studied patients with prostate cancer who underwent LDR-BT from January 2007 through December 2016. Urinary toxicity was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder (OAB) Symptom Score (OABSS). Severe and moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were defined as IPSS ≥ 20 and ≥ 8, respectively; OAB was defined as a nocturnal frequency of ≥ 2 and a total OABSS of ≥ 3. In total, 203 patients (median age: 66 years) were included, with a mean follow-up of 8.4 years after treatment. The IPSS and OABSS worsened after 3 months of treatment; these scores improved to pretreatment levels after 18-36 months in most patients. Patients with a higher baseline IPSS and OABSS had a higher frequency of moderate and severe LUTS and OAB at 24 and 60 months, respectively. LUTS and OAB at 24 and 60 months were not correlated with the dosimetric factors of LDR-BT. Although the rate of long-term urinary toxicities assessed using IPSS and OABSS was low, the baseline scores were related to long-term function. Refining patient selection may further reduce long-term urinary toxicity.

Efficacy and Safety of First-Line Cytokines versus Sunitinib and Second-Line Axitinib for Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (ESCAPE Study): A Phase III, Randomized, Sequential Open-Label Study

BACKGROUND

The sequence of first-line cytokine and second-line molecular targeted therapies may be suitable for some patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) because of the expectation of complete remission and durable response achieved with cytokine therapy.

METHODS

This was a phase III randomized controlled trial investigating the outcomes of low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus interferon alfa (IFNα) versus sunitinib as the first line and axitinib as the second line in patients with low- and intermediate-risk mRCC.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were randomly assigned. The total progression-free survival (PFS) to the end of the second line was 29.0 months (95% CI, 11.7-46.3) in the IL-2 + IFNα group and 16.3 months (95% CI, 6.3-26.4) in the sunitinib group. The PFS hazard ratio for the IL-2 + IFNα group relative to the sunitinib group was 0.401 (95% CI, 0.121-1.328; p = 0.135). The hazard ratio for overall survival (OS) was 1.675 (95% CI, 0.418-6.705; p = 0.466), which was better in the sunitinib group than in the IL-2 + IFNα group but not statistically significant. The types of adverse events (AEs) differed significantly, although there was no significant difference in the incidence of AEs.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a trend toward better total PFS for IL-2 + IFNα, but it was not significant. There was also no advantage of IL-2 + IFNα in terms of OS. The study was underpowered to draw any definitive conclusions. The results showed no clear advantage of IL-2 + IFNα over sunitinib in the first-line setting; however, it may be an option in some relatively low-risk mRCC cases due to the difference in the AE profile. This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN), center identifier UMIN 000012522.

Trends in the Use of Second-Generation Androgen Receptor Axis Inhibitors for Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer and Clinical Factors Predicting Biological Recurrence

The advent of second-generation androgen receptor axis-targeted agents (ARATs) has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) was used to compare the efficacy of each ARAT. This multicenter retrospective study included 581 patients with newly diagnosed mHSPC who received first-line hormone therapy. The characteristics of patients treated with different ARATs were compared as well as changes in the usage of each drug over time. For BRFS, the apalutamide (Apa) and enzalutamide (Enza) groups, as well as the abiraterone acetate (Abi) and Apa/Enza groups, were compared. In addition, multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictive factors for biochemical recurrence (BCR). The use of second-generation ARATs tended to increase after May 2020. No significant difference in BRFS was found between patients receiving Apa and Enza (p = 0.490) and those receiving Abi or Apa/Enza (p = 0.906). Multivariate analysis revealed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 2.76 and PSA ≥ 0.550 ng/mL were independent predictors of BCR. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics or BRFS in patients with mHSPC receiving different ARATs as first-line treatment. NLR and PSA may be prognostic factors following the first-line treatment of patients with mHSPC.

[A Case of Refractory Lymphatic Leakage after Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy]

A 78-year-old male visited the referring hospital because of asymptomatic gross hematuria. The patient was diagnosed with bladder cancer, clinical stage T3aN2M0, after multiple tumors were found in the bladder by cystoscopy and bilateral obturator lymph node metastases were found by contrast-enhanced thoracoabdominal-pelvic computed tomography. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the patient underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection, followed by bilateral ureterocutaneostomy for urinary diversion. Postoperatively, the drainage volume from the pelvic drain ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 ml/day. We suspected lymphatic leakage based on the results of biochemical tests of the drainage fluid. Lymphangiography was conducted to confirm the diagnosis of lymphatic leakage, and lymphatic embolization was performed simultaneously. The patient underwent lymphangiography four times, but the lymphatic leakage persisted. Surgical treatment was considered, and lymphangioscintigraphy was conducted to search for areas of lymphatic leakage that could not be delineated by lymphangiography. Ascites decreased significantly after lymphangioscintigraphy.

Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Antagonist and Tegafur-Uracil Chemohormonal Therapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

This retrospective single-center cohort study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of neoadjuvant luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist and tegafur-uracil (UFT) therapy (NCHT) and investigated the medical records of patients with high-risk PCa who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The therapy was followed by RARP for high-risk PCa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: low-intermediate-risk PCa patients who underwent RARP without neoadjuvant therapy (non-high-risk) and those who underwent NCHT followed by RARP (high-risk group). This study enrolled 227 patients (126: non-high-risk and 101: high-risk group). Patients in the high-risk-group had high-grade cancer compared to those in the non-high-risk-group.

RESULTS

At the median follow-up period of 12.0 months, there were no PCa deaths; two patients (0.9%) died of other causes. Twenty patients developed biochemical recurrence (BCR); the median time until BCR was 9.9 months after surgery. The 2-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were 94.2% and 91.1% in the non-high-risk and high-risk-group, respectively (p = 0.465). Grade ≥3 NCHT-related adverse events developed in nine patients (8.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that combining neoadjuvant LHRH antagonists and UFT followed by RARP may improve oncological outcomes in patients with high-risk PCa.

The Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Combination Therapy for Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) as first-line therapy for patients diagnosed as having advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We enrolled 51 patients to receive ICI+TKI therapy for mRCC at 9 Japanese institutions. The overall survival (OS) of the patients treated with ICI+TKI was the primary endpoint., and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). Furthermore, we analyzed the clinical prognostic and predictive factors in patients with mRCC treated with ICI+TKI therapy. Seven months was the median follow-up period. The OS rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 93.1, 82.5, and 68.8%, respectively. The median PFS for patients who received ICI+TKI was 19.0 months, ORR was 68.6%, and DCR was 88.2%. ICI+TKI-related adverse events occurred in 43 patients (84.3%) with any grade and in 22 patients (43.1%) with grade ≥3. Treatment selection with poor prognostic factors may be prudent, even though ICI+TKI is an efficacious and safe first-line treatment in patients with mRCC.

Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery for renal allograft lithiasis using "sheath-connection technique": A case report

A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with renal allograft lithiasis. Although retrograde intrarenal surgery was attempted, a ureteral access sheath (UAS) was difficult to insert. Subsequently, we planned the endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) using the "Sheath-connection technique." We indwelled the two UAS anterogradely and retrogradely, unified them at the bladder and the junction of the two UAS was passed through the ureterovesical junction. We successfully performed ECIRS.

Efficacy and Safety of Cabozantinib in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cabozantinib in patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We enrolled 53 patients with mRCC who received cabozantinib at eight institutions in Japan. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, we analyzed prognostic factors in patients with mRCC treated with cabozantinib. The median follow-up period was 8 months, and the median OS was 20.0 months. The ORR and DCR were 39.6% and 83.0%, respectively. The median PFS was 11.0 months. PFS was significantly shorter in patients previously treated with at least two tyrosine kinase inhibitors and in those with C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 1.27 mg/dL (p = 0.021 and p = 0.029, respectively). Adverse events of any grade and grades ≥3 occurred in 42 (79.2%) and 10 (18.9%) patients, respectively. Cabozantinib is a useful treatment option for patients with mRCC and may benefit from earlier use. In this study, CRP ≥ 1.27 mg/dL is a poor prognostic factor in patients treated with cabozantinib, and careful follow-up may be required in treating patients with high CRP.

Chronological changes of lower urinary tract symptoms after low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer using SpaceOAR® system

Background

The aim of this study is to investigate chronological changes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with prostate cancer who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) followed by the insertion of SpaceOAR® system (SpaceOAR).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 483 patients with localized prostate cancer underwent LDR-BT at the Gifu University Hospital between August 2004 and December 2020. SpaceOAR was inserted in 30 patients after LDR-BT (SpaceOAR group), and 453 patients received LDR-BT alone (non-SpaceOAR group). The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), quality of life due to urinary symptoms (IPSS-QOL), and uroflowmetry (UFM), including maximum flow rate (Qmax), voided volume, and post-voided residual urine (PVR), were evaluated before LDR-BT, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after LDR-BT. The outcomes were chronological changes in IPSS, OABSS, and IPSS-QOL compared to pretreatment values and those of covariates in relation to UFM.

Results

The IPSS, OABSS, IPSS-QOL, Qmax, and voided volume were not significantly associated with either group. According to the PVR interaction effect, the insertion of SpaceOAR was significantly affected by chronological changes in PVR (P = 0.001). Three months after LDR-BT, PVR in the SpaceOAR group was significantly higher than that in the non-SpaceOAR group (49.8 mL vs. 30.5 mL; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

SpaceOAR use may temporally increase PVR; however, IPSS, OABSS, IPSS-QOL, Qmax, and voided volume were not significantly associated with LUTS before and after LDR-BT. The combination of LDR-BT and SpaceOAR may be acceptable for treating patients with prostate cancer regarding the chronological changes in LUTS after brachytherapy.

Clinical Predictors of Grade Group Upgrading for Radical Prostatectomy Specimens Compared to Those of Preoperative Needle Biopsy Specimens

BACKGROUND

Decision-making and selection of treatment modalities for newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) are often determined by risk stratification using grade group (GG), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and clinical stage. The discrepancies between needle biopsy (NB) and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens often occur because of the sampling errors in NB or multifocal features of PCa. Thus, we aimed to estimate the preoperative clinical factors for predicting GG upgrading after robot-assisted RP (RARP).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical and pathological records of patients who underwent RARP at Gifu University Hospital. We focused on patients with organ-confined PCa who had not received neoadjuvant therapy prior to RARP. The primary endpoint was identified as the predictive factor of GG upgrading for RARP specimens compared to those of NB specimens.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients were included in this study. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: those who had GG upgrading for RARP specimens (the NB upgrade group) or those who did not have GG upgrading (the no upgrade group). The median age of all patients was 70 years, and the median body mass index (BMI) was 22.9 kg/m². The median neutrophil count was 3720/μL, lymphocyte count was 1543/μL, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was 2.24. In univariate analysis, BMI, PSA, neutrophil count, and NLR were significantly associated with GG upgrading in RARP specimens compared to NB specimens. BMI and NLR were identified as strong predictive factors for GG upgrading in RARP specimens in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this study's small number of enrolled patients was a vital weakness, BMI and NLR might have been significantly correlated with GG upgrading for RP specimens compared with NB specimens. Therefore, BMI and NLR may have potential benefits for newly diagnosed patients with PCa in terms of decision-making and the selection of treatment modalities.

Diabetes Mellitus as a Predictive Factor for Urinary Tract Infection for Patients Treated with Kidney Transplantation

Background and Objectives: We aimed to investigate the rate of incidence and risk factors of post-transplant urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients receiving kidney transplantation (KT) at our institution. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on patients who underwent KT for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) from January 2008 to December 2021 at Gifu University Hospital. UTI was defined as the existence of bacterial and/or fungal infection in urine with ≥105 colony-forming units/mL, with or without urinary and/or systemic symptoms of UTI. Patients were divided into two groups: those with UTI after KT (UTI group) and those without UTI (non-UTI group). The primary endpoint of this study was the relationship between covariates and UTI after KT. Results: Two hundred and forty patients with ESKD received KT at Gifu University Hospital. Thirty-four participants developed UTI after surgery, and the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli. At the end of the follow-up, graft loss was observed in six patients (2.5%), independent of UTI episodes. In the multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) was statistically associated with post-transplant UTI in kidney transplant recipients. Conclusions: Preoperative serum glucose control in patients with DM may have a crucial role in preventing UTI and preserving renal function after KT.

Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma after Discontinuing Pembrolizumab as a Second-Line Treatment: A Retrospective Multicenter Real-World Cohort Study

The treatment options are currently limited, and the oncological outcomes remain unclear, for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) with or without third-line systemic therapy. We aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes in real-world daily clinical practice after platinum-based chemotherapy followed by pembrolizumab for mUC. This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included patients with mUC who received second-line pembrolizumab in Japan. The patients were divided into the treatment group (those who received third-line treatment) and the BSC group (those who did not receive other treatments). The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the oncological outcomes. Of 126 patients enrolled in this study, 40 received third-line therapy. The median follow-up period was 8.0 months. The median overall survival (OS) times were nine months in the BSC group and 17 months in the treatment group (p < 0.001). The median progression-free survival (PFS) times were 4 months in the BSC group and 14 months in the treatment group (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, performance status and liver metastasis were significantly associated with OS. Third-line therapy may have clinical potential advantages for improving the oncological outcomes in patients with mUC.

[A Case Report of a Patient with Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma who Received the Combination Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin, and Mitotane Therapy and Achieved Remission]

A 40-year-old Japanese female was referred to our institution with a high serum lactate dehydrogenase level. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large right adrenal tumor, 14 cm in size without distant metastases. The patient was clinically diagnosed with T2N0M0 adrenocortical carcinoma and underwent right adrenalectomy. The pathological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma with negative surgical margin. The patient was administered mitotane for 2 years as adjuvant therapy. Subsequently, CT revealed asynchronous multiple metastases, including liver, lung, left kidney, and right acetabulum. The patient received 15 courses of EDP (a combination of etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) plus mitotane therapy, and had stable disease without new lesions.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Potential Cancer Control in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Recently, cytoreductive prostatectomy for metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has been associated with improved oncological outcomes. This study was aimed at evaluating whether robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) as a form of cytoreductive prostatectomy can improve oncological outcomes in patients with mPCa. We conducted a retrospective study of twelve patients with mPCa who had undergone neoadjuvant therapy followed by RARP. The endpoints were biochemical recurrence-free survival, treatment-free survival, and de novo metastasis-free survival. At the end of the follow-up period, none of the enrolled patients had died from PCa. The 1- and 2-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were 83.3% and 66.7%, respectively, and treatment-free survival rates were 75.0% and 56.3%, respectively. One patient developed de novo bone metastases 6.4 months postoperatively, and castration-resistant prostate cancer 8.9 months postoperatively. After RARP, the median duration of recovery of urinary continence was 5.2 months. One patient had severe incontinence (>2 pads/day) 24 months postoperatively. RARP may be a treatment option in patients with mPCa who have achieved a serum prostate-specific antigen level < 0.2 ng/mL, and present without new lesions on imaging.

Validation of standardized training system for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: comparison of perioperative and surgical outcomes between experienced surgeons and novice surgeons at a low-volume institute in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Although robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has become a standard treatment modality in patients with prostate cancer (PCa), RARP is a complicated and difficult surgical procedure due to the risk of serious surgery-related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the validation of a standardized training system for RARP in patients with PCa at a single institute.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 155 patients with PCa who underwent RARP at Gifu University between August 2018 and April 2021. We developed an institutional program for new surgeons based on the separation of the RARP procedure into six checkpoints. The primary endpoints were surgical outcomes and perioperative complications among three groups (expert, trainer, and novice surgeon groups).

RESULTS

The console time was significantly longer in the novice surgeon group than in the other groups. Regarding bladder neck dissection, ligation of lateral pedicles, and vesicourethral anastomosis, the operative time was significantly shorter in the expert group than in the other groups. Surgery-related complications occurred in 15 patients (9.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our training system for RARP might help reduce the influence of the learning curve on surgical outcomes and ensure that the surgeries performed at low-volume institutions are safe and effective.

Useful predictors of progression-free survival for Japanese patients with LATITUDE-high-risk metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer who received upfront abiraterone acetate

Objective

Recently, hormonal therapy using abiraterone acetate, a second‐generation androgen receptor axis‐targeted agent, was reported to improve overall survival and progression‐free survival in men with LATITUDE‐high‐risk metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer. This observational multicenter study aimed to assess the efficacy of upfront abiraterone acetate in Japanese patients with LATITUDE‐high‐risk metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer.

Methods

The present study included 112 Japanese patients with LATITUDE‐high‐risk metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer who received upfront abiraterone acetate at four institutions belonging to the Tokai Urologic Oncology Research Seminar group, between January 2018 and September 2020. Progression‐free survival and overall survival were assessed, and Cox regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the prognostic significance of upfront abiraterone acetate for progression‐free survival.

Results

Within a median follow‐up period of 13 months, the progression‐free survival and overall survival rates were 76.8% and 89.3%, respectively. Both univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that the presence of Gleason pattern 5, performance status and hemoglobin were independent predictors of progression‐free survival. The patients were subsequently divided into three groups as follows: group 1, 17 patients negative for these three independent progression‐free survival predictors; group 2, 49 patients with one positive independent progression‐free survival predictor; and group 3, 45 patients with two or three independent progression‐free survival predictors. Progression‐free survival was significantly different among these three groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Upfront abiraterone acetate might provide satisfactory outcomes for Japanese patients with LATITUDE‐high‐risk metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer. Gleason pattern 5, performance status and hemoglobin are potential predictors of progression‐free survival in Japanese patients with LATITUDE‐high‐risk metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer who received upfront abiraterone acetate.

Utility of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index as Prognostic, Predictive Biomarkers in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), plate-let-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) as predictive biomarkers with oncological outcomes for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab (NIVO + IPI). We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study assessing patients with mRCC treated with NIVO + IPI at eight institutions in Japan. In this study, the follow-up period was median 14 months. The 1-year overall- and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 89.1% and 63.1, respectively. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 41.9% and 81.4%, respectively. The 1-year PFS rates were 85.7% and 49.1% for NLR ≤ 2.8 and >2.8, respectively (p = 0.005), and 75.5% and 49.7% for PLR ≤ 215.6 and >215.6, respectively (p = 0.034). Regarding SII, the 1-year PFS rates were 90.0% and 54.8% when SII was ≤561.7 and >561.7, respectively (p = 0.023). Therefore, NLR, PLR, and SII levels in mRCC patients treated with NIVO + IPI may be useful in predicting oncological outcomes.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between androgen deprivation therapy with up-front abiraterone and bicalutamide for Japanese patients with LATITUDE high-risk prostate cancer in a real-world retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Combining abiraterone (Abi) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves overall survival, compared to ADT only, in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). In Japan, bicalutamide (Bica) and ADT (combined androgen blockade: CAB) is frequently provided for mCSPC. Because these two treatments have not been compared, mCSPC patients who received either treatment were retrospectively analyzed.

METHODS

Of 178 patients with LATITUDE high-risk mCSPC, 103 had received ADT plus upfront Abi (Abi group) and 75 had received ADT plus Bica (Bica group) in multiple institutions of the Tokai Urologic Oncology Research Seminar. Kaplan-Meir curves were used to retrospectively analyze survival and cancer recurrence. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified potential prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Significant differences in major clinicopathological characteristics between the two groups were not observed. The rate of castration-resistant development was higher in the Bica compared to Abi group (50.6 vs. 25.2%, p < 0.001). The median PFS in the Bica group was 13.6 months {95% confidence interval [CI] 9.2-22.2}; however, in the Abi group, PFS did not reach the median {95% CI 18.5-not assessed [NA]; p < 0.001}. Time to second progression for the Abi group was superior (p = 0.07). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed Gleason pattern 5, high alkaline phosphatase levels, and conventional CAB using Bica as significant prognostic factors for short PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with LATITUDE high-risk mCSPC, upfront use of Abi combined with ADT resulted in favorable prognostic outcomes compared with conventional ADT with Bica.

A Case of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer With Pelvic Lymph Node Involvement Treated With Pembrolizumab and Subsequent Radical Cystectomy and Maintained No Evidence of Disease After Surgery

A 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital with chief complaints of macrohematuria and anemia. He was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) with right external iliac lymph node (LN) involvement and received two courses of gemcitabine and carboplatin. After chemotherapy, left external iliac LN involvement was identified as a new lesion, even though the bladder cancer (BCa) and right external iliac LN decreased in size. Therefore, pembrolizumab was administered as a second-line treatment. The bladder tumor and positive LNs subsequently shrunk. Open radical cystectomy and bilateral ureterocutaneostomy were also performed. The pathological examination of the surgical specimen indicated urothelial carcinoma, pathological stage Tis, and negative LN involvement. The patient was followed up for 30 months without evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Reaction Mechanism and Selectivity Control of Si Compound ALE Based on Plasma Modification and F-Radical Exposure

In this work, atomic layer etching (ALE) of Si compounds using H₂ or N₂ plasma modification followed by fluorine radical exposure is discussed. It is shown that the H₂ plasma modification process promotes the selective etching of SiN, SiC, and SiCO versus SiO₂. The N₂ plasma modification, on the other hand, enables the selective etching of SiC and SiCO versus SiN and SiO₂. The origin of the etching selectivity between different Si compounds is investigated using a combination of in situ SE and FTIR supported by several ex situ analysis techniques. It is shown that the formation of a hydrogen-rich layer after plasma modification is essential to enable the ALE process. The hydrogen-rich layer can be formed due to ion and radicals of the modification plasma (H₂ plasma modification) or be a result of the reconfiguration of hydrogen that is already present in the film (N₂ plasma modification). The obtained insights are expected to further enhance the etching selectivity of Si compound ALE processes. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the process can be extended to many other compound materials such as Ti and Hf, as well as enable selective etching between their oxides, carbides, and nitrides.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Prostate: A Case Report and Literature Review

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) usually occur in the pleura and account for two-thirds of all cases; however, SFTs occurring in the prostate are extremely rare. Approximately 25 cases have been reported in the literature to date. This study reports the case of a 43-year-old man referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of a pelvic tumor after careful examination. The tumor marker levels were within normal limits. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor, demonstrating primarily low signal intensity. It showed a capsule-like rim at the left lobe of the prostate, suggesting that the tumor was partially invading the rectal wall. Histopathological examination of needle-core biopsies showed spindle cell neoplasm with small and fusiform cells, strongly expressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) with a ramifying vascular network. Therefore, the clinical diagnosis of the patient was SFT of the prostate and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was composed of spindle cells with patternless and staghorn patterns. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a strong expression of STAT6. Furthermore, the tumor was partially positive for CD34. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with SFT of the prostate. Two years after the initial diagnosis, the patient was alive with normal erectile function, continence status, and no evidence of the disease.

The accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis in biopsy-naive patients using combined magnetic resonance imaging and transrectal ultrasound fusion-targeted prostate biopsy

Background

This study aimed to estimate whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion biopsy (FUS-TB) increases the detection rates of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) compared with TRUS-guided systematic biopsy (TRUS-GB).

Methods

This retrospective study focused on patients who underwent mpMRI before prostate biopsy (PB) with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) scores ≥3 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level between 2.5 and 20 ng/mL. Before FUS-TB, the biopsy needle position was checked virtually using three-dimensional mapping. After confirming the position of the target within the prostate, biopsy needle was inserted and PB was performed. Suspicious lesions were generally targeted with 2 to 4 cores. Subsequently, 10–12 cores were biopsied for TRUS-GB. The primary endpoint was the PCa detection rate (PCDR) for patients with PCa who underwent combined FUS-TB and TRUS-GB.

Results

According to PI-RADS v2, 76.7% of the patients with PI-RADS v2 score ≥3 were diagnosed with PCa. The PCDRs in patients with PI-RADS v2 score of 4 or 5 were significantly higher than those in patients with PI-RADS v2 score of 3 (3 vs. 4, P<0.001; 3 vs. 5, P<0.001; 4 vs. 5, P=0.073). According to PCDR, the detection rates of PCa and csPCa in the FUS-TB were significantly higher than that in the TRUS-GB.

Conclusions

Following detection of suspicious tumor lesions on mpMRI, FUS-TB use detects a higher number of PCa cases compared with TRUS-GB.

Functionalization of Human Serum Albumin by Tyrosine Click

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a promising drug delivery carrier. Although covalent modification of Cys34 is a well-established method, it is desirable to develop a novel covalent modification method that targets residues other than cysteine to introduce multiple functions into a single HSA molecule. We developed a tyrosine-selective modification of HSA. Three tyrosine selective modification methods, hemin-catalyzed, horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed, and laccase-catalyzed reactions were performed, and the modification efficiencies and modification sites of the modified HSAs obtained by these methods were evaluated and compared. We found that the laccase-catalyzed method could efficiently modify the tyrosine residue of HSA under mild reaction conditions without inducing oxidative side reactions. An average of 2.2 molecules of functional groups could be introduced to a single molecule of HSA by the laccase method. Binding site analysis using mass spectrometry suggested Y84, Y138, and Y401 as the main modification sites. Furthermore, we evaluated binding to ibuprofen and found that, unlike the conventional lysine residue modification, the inhibition of drug binding was minimal. These results suggest that tyrosine-residue selective chemical modification is a promising method for covalent drug attachment to HSA.

A laccase-catalysed tyrosine click reaction

A laccase-catalysed tyrosine click reaction proceeded between the tyrosine modification reagent N-methyl luminol and tyrosine residues in peptides/proteins. Laccase-catalysed tyrosine-specific modification under mild reaction conditions (shaking at 37 °C) was more efficient than previously reported tyrosine click reactions using hemin, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or electrochemistry.

The utility of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with renal function preservation, regardless of warm ischemia time, compared with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the chronologic changes in renal function after laparoscopic partial (LPN) or radical nephrectomy (LRN) in patients with clinical T1 renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients with clinical stage T1 renal cell carcinoma who underwent LPN or LRN were divided into three groups, namely, LPN-A group including LPN patients with WIT ≤25 minutes, LPN-B group including LPN patients with WIT >25 minutes, and LRN group. Perioperative complications that occurred within 30 days after surgery were retrieved. All patients were followed-up every 3 months to evaluate the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The primary endpoint of this study was to assess the chronological changes in renal function after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 153 patients were enrolled in this study. The change in estimated glomerular filtration rate between day 1 and 2 weeks after surgery was significantly lower in the LPN-B group than in the LPN-A group (p<0.005). Both LPN-A and -B groups achieved eGFR ≥90% 2 weeks after surgery. In addition, the estimated glomerular filtration rate decline from post-operative day 1 through 24 months in the LPN-A group or the LPN-B group was significantly smaller than that in the LRN group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the efficacy and safety of LPN in patients with T1 renal cell carcinoma. Although complication rates were similar in both groups, post-operative renal function was not different between the LPN-A and -B groups.

Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles identified PI3K pathway as a potential therapeutic target for cabazitaxel-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Cabazitaxel (CBZ) is now widely used for prostate cancer (PC) patients resistant to docetaxel (DOC), however, most patients eventually acquire resistance. It will, therefore, be of great benefit to discover novel therapeutic target for the resistance. We aimed to identify candidate therapeutic targets for CBZ-resistance by proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from serum of DOC-resistant PC patients who later developed CBZ-resistance as well as those harvested from culture medium of DOC- and CBZ-resistant PC cell lines.

METHODS

Using T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing protein 4 (Tim4) conjugated to magnetic beads, EVs were purified from serum of PC patients with DOC-resistance that was collected before and after acquiring CBZ-resistance and conditioned medium of DOC-resistant (22Rv1DR) and CBZ-resistant (22Rv1CR) PC cell lines. Protein analysis of EVs was performed by nanoLC-MS/MS, followed by a comparative analysis of protein expression and network analysis. The cytotoxic effect of a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, ZSTK474, was evaluated by WST-1 assay. The expression and phosphorylation of PI3K and PTEN were examined by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Among differentially regulated proteins, 77 and 61 proteins were significantly increased in EVs from CBZ-resistant PC cell line and patients, respectively. A comparison between the two datasets revealed that six proteins, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, cytosolic nonspecific dipeptidase, CD63, CD151, myosin light chain 9, and peroxiredoxin-6 were elevated in EVs from both cell line and patients. Network analysis of the increased EV proteins identified pathways associated with CBZ-resistance including PI3K signaling pathway. ZSTK474 significantly inhibited growth of 22Rv1CR cells and improved their sensitivity to CBZ. In 22Rv1CR cells, PI3K was activated and PTEN that inhibits PI3K was deactivated.

CONCLUSIONS

Proteomic analysis of serum EVs was successfully accomplished by using Tim-4 as a tool to isolate highly purified EVs. Our results suggest that the combination use of CBZ and PI3K inhibitor could be a promising treatment option for CBZ-resistant PC patients.

Proximity Histidine Labeling by Umpolung Strategy Using Singlet Oxygen

While electrophilic reagents for histidine labeling have been developed, we report an umpolung strategy for histidine functionalization. A nucleophilic small molecule, 1-methyl-4-arylurazole, selectively labeled histidine under singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation conditions. Rapid histidine labeling can be applied for instant protein labeling. Utilizing the short diffusion distance of ¹O₂ and a technique to localize the ¹O₂ generator, a photocatalyst in close proximity to the ligand-binding site, we demonstrated antibody Fc-selective labeling on magnetic beads functionalized with a ruthenium photocatalyst and Fc ligand, ApA. Three histidine residues located around the ApA binding site were identified as labeling sites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. This result suggests that ¹O₂-mediated histidine labeling can be applied to a proximity labeling reaction on the nanometer scale.

Profiling of Serum Extracellular Vesicles Reveals miRNA-4525 as a Potential Biomarker for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

AIM

To identify novel diagnostic markers for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we analyzed miRNAs in serum extracellular vesicles (EVs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EVs were purified from serum of healthy controls and patients with localized and advanced RCC using T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing protein 4 conjugated to magnetic beads. miRNA profiling of EVs was conducted by microarray analysis. miRNA expression was examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Lastly, proteomic analysis of RCC cells transfected with a miRNA inhibitor was performed to identify its potential targets.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis revealed that nine miRNAs were increased by more than 1.5-fold in EVs from patients with RCC. Among them, miRNA-4525 was significantly elevated; miRNA-4525 expression was higher in RCC tissue than in the adjacent normal tissue. Proteomic analysis identified alpha fetoprotein and albumin as its potential targets.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest the potential of miRNA-4525 in serum EVs as a novel biomarker for advanced RCC.

The Utility of Combined Target and Systematic Prostate Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2 Based on Biparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This study aimed to determine the predictive value of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) based on biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) with combined target biopsy (TBx) and systematic biopsy (SBx) in patients with suspicion of having clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 184 consecutive patients who underwent bpMRI before prostate biopsy. We focused on patients with PI-RADS v2 scores ≥ 3. MRI was performed using a 3-Tesla clinical scanner with a 32-channel phased-array receiver coil. PI-RADS v2 was used to describe bpMRI findings based on T2-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging scores. The primary endpoint was the diagnostic accuracy rate of PI-RADS v2 based on bpMRI for patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent combined TBx and SBx. A total of 104 patients were enrolled in this study. Combined TBx and SBx was significantly superior to either method alone for PCa detection in patients with suspicious lesions according to PI-RADS v2. TBx and SBx detected concordant csPCa in only 24.1% of the patients. In addition, the rate of increase in the Gleason score was similar between SBx (41.5%) and TBx (34.1%). The diagnostic accuracy of bpMRI is comparable to that of standard multiparametric MRI for the detection of csPCa. Moreover, combined TBx and SBx may be optimal for the accurate determination of csPCa diagnosis, the International Society of Urological Pathology grade, and risk classification.

A case of multiple metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with complete response to nivolumab

Background

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) is associated with poor prognosis. Although there is no standard treatment for SRCC, recent studies have reported the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Case

An 82‐year‐old Japanese man presented to our hospital with an incidental right renal tumor. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed an exophytic tumor in the right kidney with suspected right iliopsoas muscle invasion. Laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis revealed a clear cell RCC with a spindle cell carcinoma component. CT performed 3 months after surgery revealed multiple bilateral lung metastases and local recurrence. Although the patient received tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors for treating multiple metastases, the lung metastases continued to gradually increase, and peritonitis carcinomatosis was observed. Thus, the patient was intravenously administered nivolumab once every 2 weeks. After nivolumab administration, lung metastases, local recurrence, and peritonitis carcinomatosis gradually reduced. After 20 months of nivolumab treatment, the patient achieved a complete response of multiple metastases on CT.

Conclusion

Nivolumab may be used as a treatment option for sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with multiple metastases.

Ghrelin after chemotherapy as a prognostic predictor of progression-free survival in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Background

Although the patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) generally have poor prognosis, the utility of these biomarkers for the prediction of oncological outcomes in MIBC has not been completely explored. Ghrelin regulates processes associated with cancer, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, cell invasion, and angiogenesis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of serum ghrelin levels on survival in MIBC.

Methods

In this study, we reviewed the clinical and pathological records of 56 patients who were diagnosed with MIBC between November 2015 and November 2019 at Gifu and Hirosaki University Hospitals. We focused on 27 patients who had received chemotherapy and collected blood samples before and after chemotherapy. Blood samples were collected before chemotherapy and after completing two cycles of chemotherapy. Serum acyl (AG) and desacyl ghrelin (DG) were measured using AG and DG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (SCETI, Tokyo, Japan), respectively.

Results

The 3-year overall and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 82.9% and 68.3%, respectively. According to the AG level after chemotherapy, the 3-year PFS rates were 77.5% and 53.0% in patients with AG levels ≥1.34 and <1.34 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.038). With regard to DG levels after chemotherapy, the 3-year PFS rates were 90.9% and 43.3% in patients with DG levels <92.3 and ≥92.3 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.039). On multivariate analysis, serum AG levels were significantly associated with PFS.

Conclusions

This study suggested the usefulness of the ghrelin as a prognostic predictor of PFS in patients with MIBC.

Usefulness of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in a patient with oligometastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

The patients with prostate cancer and low-volume osseous metastases who underwent local definitive therapies had lower risks of cancer-specific mortality. The usefulness of local definitive therapy for metastatic prostate cancer remains unclear.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 76-year-old man visited a private hospital with a chief complaint of left lower limb pain. His serum prostate-specific antigen level was 365.156 ng/mL. Histological evaluation led to the initial diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of Gleason score 4 + 4 and clinical stage T3a N1 M1b. Although androgen deprivation therapy was performed, he developed metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer 6 months after the initial treatment. Therefore, he received enzalutamide and attained a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 0.002 ng/mL 7 months after the second treatment. We performed robot-assisted radical prostatectomy 1 year after diagnosis. Histopathological examination revealed that prostate cancer cells disappeared into the prostate.

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in selected patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer may improve oncological outcomes.

Preoperative predictive factors of carcinoma in situ in the normal-appearing mucosa in patients who underwent an initial transurethral resection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer under white light cystoscopy

BACKGROUND

Although few studies evaluated the significance of random biopsies under white light cystoscopy (WLC) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the findings are controversial.

AIM

This aim of this study was to evaluate what kind of preoperative covariates were useful as predictive factors in detecting carcinoma in situ (CIS) from normal-appearing mucosa using random bladder biopsies under WLC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 229 patients with NMIBC underwent initial TUR followed by random biopsies under WLC at Red Cross Takayama Hospital between 2007 and 2016. These patients underwent TUR with complete resection of intravesical visible tumors followed by random biopsies of normal-appearing mucosa. In this study, random bladder biopsies of normal-appearing urothelial mucosa, excluding abnormal mucosa, were carried out with a cold punch in the selected intravesical sites. The covariates included age, gender, the urine cytology result, presence of an abnormal mucosa, number of tumors, size of the largest tumors, configuration of the tumor, and tumor type. Abnormal mucosa was defined as reddish or mossy areas at the time of TUR under WLC. The primary endpoint was to determine what kind of preoperative covariates were useful as predictive factors in detecting CIS from normal-appearing mucosa using random bladder biopsies under WLC. Finally, 212 patients were evaluated, and 67 patients (31.6%) were diagnosed with CIS from normal-appearing mucosa. In univariate analysis, positive urine cytology, abnormal mucosa, and the number of tumors were significantly associated with concomitant CIS. On multivariate analysis, positive urine cytology and abnormal mucosa were significantly associated with CIS.

CONCLUSION

The patients who were diagnosed with positive urine cytology or abnormal mucosa by WLC are ideal candidates for TUR followed by random biopsy of normal-appearing mucosa.