Sensitivity and Specificity in Urine Bladder Cancer Markers – Is it that Simple?

Abstract: 

Marker research, and in particular urine bladder cancer marker research throughout the past three decades, devours enormous scientific resources in terms of manpower (not to mention the time spent on reviewing and editorial efforts) and financial resources, finally generating large numbers of manuscripts without affecting clinical decision making. This is mirrored by the fact that current guidelines do not recommend marker use due to missing level 1 evidence. Although we recognize the problems and obstacles, the authors of this commentary feel that the time has come to abandon the current procedures and move on to prospective trial designs implementing marker

CD274 (PD-L1) Copy Number Changes (Gain) & Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy in Carcinomas of the Urinary Tract

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are an important therapeutic option for urothelial carcinoma, but durable responses are achieved in a minority of patients. Identifying pre-treatment biomarkers that may predict response to these therapies or who exhibit intrinsic resistance, is of paramount importance.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the prevalence of PD-L1 copy number alteration in urothelial carcinoma and correlate with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

METHODS:

We analyzed a cohort of 1050 carcinomas of the bladder and upper urinary tract that underwent targeted next generation sequencing, prospectively. We assessed PD-L1 protein expression, copy number status (next generation sequencing/FISH), and detailed treatment response.

RESULTS:

We identified 9 tumors with PD-L1 amplification and 9 tumors with PD-L1 deletion. PD-L1 protein expression was the highest in PD-L1 amplified tumors. Of the 9 patients whose tumors harbored PD-L1 amplification, 6 received immunotherapy with 4 deriving clinical benefit, and 2 achieving durable response. Of the 9 patients whose tumors had PD-L1 copy number losses, 4 received immunotherapy with 3 experiencing disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS:

PD-L1 copy number alterations may serve as potential biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in urothelial carcinoma patients, if validated in larger cohorts.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cisplatin Based Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of the two most commonly used cisplatin-based regimens; gemcitabine, and cisplatin (GC) vs. accelerated (dose-dense: dd) or conventional methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin (MVAC). METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and other sources. Outcomes of interest included overall survival, downstaging to pT≤1, pathologic complete response (pCR), recurrence, and toxicity. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model.

RESULTS: We identified 24 studies. Efficacy outcomes were comparable between MVAC and GC for MIBC. dd-MVAC 

Identification of a Novel Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Prediction of Prognosis in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: sBladder urothelial carcinoma is the most prevalent type of bladder cancer, characterized by drug resistance, high recurrence rate, and unfavorable prognosis. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered type of non-apoptotic cell death, which has been reported to be strongly correlated with tumor occurrence and development.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we characterized ferroptosis-specific biomarkers to elucidate the association between ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and bladder urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: The TCGA and GEO databases were adopted to obtain data and corresponding clinicopathological information. Univariate and multivariate cox regressions were performed to establish a ferroptosis-related model. Besides, the KM plot

Accuracy of Inchworm Sign on Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Differentiating Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Inchworm sign is a finding on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) and is used to better stratify T-staging in muscle-invasive (MIBC) and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). An uninterrupted low submucosal signal on DWI, defined as inchworm sign (IS), indicates NMIBC. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to define the diagnostic accuracy of IS in primary bladder cancer, as well as find agreement between the urologists and the radiologist.

METHODS: Between December 2018 and December 2020, we retrospectively analyzed 95 primary bladder cancer patients who had undergone multiparametric-MRI before transurethral resection. Patients with former bladder cancer history, tumors

Qualitative Analysis of Pain in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Pain is not well described in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC). OBJECTIVE: To characterize pain and assess the content validity of the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) worst pain item in patients with la/mUC receiving first-line treatment in the US.

METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted in patients aged≥45 years with confirmed la/mUC, self-reported la/mUC-attributed pain before enrollment, and no major surgery≤3 months prior to being interviewed. Interview participants were asked open-ended questions about their la/mUC symptoms and pain. “Think aloud” cognitive debriefing was conducted for the BPI-SF worst pain item.

Quality of Life and Health State Utilities in Bladder Cancer

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer treatments may variably impact health-related quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: To characterize the quality of life of patients with bladder cancer at various time points across the continuum of bladder cancer care from non-muscle-invasive disease to metastatic bladder cancer and develop utility scores to inform cost-effective analyses.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of bladder cancer patients in the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Patient Survey Network. Participants were classified into mutually exclusive health states based upon non-muscle invasive (NMIBC), muscle-invasive (MIBC), or metastatic bladder cancer and completed surveys of generic 

Implications for Efficacy and Safety of Total Dose and Dose-Intensity of Neoadjuvant Gemcitabine-Cisplatin in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Three-Week Versus Four-Week Regimen

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy is standard care prior to radical cystectomy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy and safety of two commonly used neoadjuvant schedules with different total doses and dose-intensities of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC).

METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from all patients treated between 2010 and 2018 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to clinical routine at seven centres in Sweden and Denmark. Patients in Sweden received three cycles of a 4-week schedule (GC-4w: cisplatin 70 mg/m2 day 1, gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 days 1, 8, 15, q 28 days) and in 

Association between Patient-Reported Outcomes and Survival in Patients with Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Atezolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and a frontline treatment of patients with cisplatin-ineligible advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). There is limited evidence on the prognostic value of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in advanced UC treatment, particularly in the context of ICI therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic association of PROs with survival in patients with advanced UC treated with atezolizumab.

METHODS: This study used data from 467 patients with advanced UC initiating atezolizumab in the IMvigor211 trial. Pre-treatment PROs association with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed using Cox proportional