Prognostic impact of histological discordance between transurethral resection and radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of histological discordance of subtypes (subtypes or divergent differentiation [DD]) in specimens from transurethral resection (TUR) and radical cystectomy (RC) on the outcome of the patients with bladder cancer receiving RC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed data for 2570 patients from a Japanese nationwide cohort with bladder cancer treated with RC between January 2013 and December 2019 at 36 institutions. The non-urinary tract recurrence-free survival (NUTR-FS) and overall survival (OS) stratified by TUR or RC specimen histology were determined. We also elucidated the predictive factors for OS in patients with subtype/DD bladder cancer. RESULTS: At median follow-up of 36.9 months, 835 (32.4%) patients had NUTR, and 691 (26.9%) died. No statistically significant disparities in OS or NUTR-FS were observed when TUR specimens were classified as pure-urothelial carcinoma (UC), subtypes, DD, or non-UC. Among 2449 patients diagnosed with pure-UC or subtype/DD in their TUR specimens, there was discordance between the pathological diagnosis in TUR and RC specimens. Histological subtypes in RC specimens had a significant prognostic impact. When we focused on 345 patients with subtype/DD in TUR specimens, a multivariate Cox regression analysis identified pre-RC neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and pathological stage as independent prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.016 and P = 0.001, respectively). The presence of sarcomatoid subtype in TUR specimens and lymphovascular invasion in RC specimens had a marginal effect (P = 0.069 and P = 0.056, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the presence of subtype/DD in RC specimens but not in TUR specimens indicated a poor prognosis. In patients with subtype/DD in TUR specimens, pre-RC neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and pathological stage were independent prognostic factors for OS.

Increasing age predicts adverse pathology including intraductal carcinoma of the prostate and cribriform patterns in deferred radical prostatectomy after upfront active surveillance for Gleason grade group 1 prostate cancer: analysis of prospective observational study cohort.

BACKGROUND: In men undergoing upfront active surveillance, predictors of adverse pathology in radical prostatectomy specimens, including intraductal carcinoma of the prostate and cribriform patterns, remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether adverse pathology in radical prostatectomy specimens could be predicted using preoperative patient characteristics. METHODS: We re-reviewed available radical prostatectomy specimens from 1035 men prospectively enrolled in the PRIAS-JAPAN cohort between January 2010 and September 2020. We defined adverse pathology on radical prostatectomy specimens as Gleason grade group ≥3, pT stage ≥3, pN positivity or the presence of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate or cribriform patterns. We also examined the predictive factors associated with adverse pathology. RESULTS: All men analyzed had Gleason grade group 1 specimens at active surveillance enrolment. The incidence of adverse pathologies was 48.9% (with intraductal carcinoma of the prostate or cribriform patterns, 33.6%; without them, 15.3%). The addition of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate or cribriform patterns to the definition of adverse pathology increased the incidence by 10.9%. Patients showing adverse pathology with intraductal carcinoma of the prostate or cribriform patterns had lower biochemical recurrence-free survival (log-rank P = 0.0166). Increasing age at active surveillance enrolment and before radical prostatectomy was the only predictive factor for adverse pathology (odds ratio: 1.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.19, P = 0.0178; odds ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.22, P = 0.0126). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age could be a predictive factor for adverse pathology. Our findings suggest that older men could potentially derive advantages from adhering to the examination schedule in active surveillance.

C-reactive protein as a prognostic predictor for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy: A Japan Urological Oncology Group study analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the prognosis of patients who underwent intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 1709 patients with NMIBC who underwent initial intravesical BCG therapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the outcome of intravesical BCG therapy in a multicenter study conducted by the Japan Urological Oncology Group. The prognoses of these patients were analyzed to determine whether the biomarkers (CRP and NLR) could predict the efficacy of intravesical BCG therapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to the pretreatment CRP and NLR, with cutoff values defined as CRP ≥ 0.5 mg/dl and NLR ≥ 2.5, based on several previous reports. RESULTS: In the univariable analysis, CRP ≥ 0.5 mg/dl was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence, cancer-specific survival, and bladder cancer (BC) progression, while NLR ≥ 2.5 was not significantly associated with patient prognosis. In the multivariable analysis, CRP ≥ 0.5 mg/dl was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence and BC progression. The concordance index was used to examine the accuracy in predicting recurrence and progression events. While CRP was slightly, though not statistically significant, inferior to the European Association of Urology risk classification, the combination of them showed improved predictive accuracy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CRP can be a prognostic factor after intravesical BCG therapy and may provide useful data for determining treatment and follow-up strategies for patients with NMIBC.

Clinical outcomes of intraductal carcinoma or cribriform in radical prostatectomy specimens of men opting for active surveillance: data from the PRIAS-JAPAN study.

BACKGROUND: Among early stage prostate cancer patients, intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) and invasive cribriform are key prognostic factors; however, their presence and clinical significance following active surveillance (AS) are unknown. In men who opted for AS, we aimed to examine the presence and impact of IDC-P or cribriform, utilizing radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. METHODS: We re-reviewed 137 RP specimens available in the PRIAS-JAPAN prospective cohort between January 2010 and September 2020. We assessed the presence of IDC-P or cribriform, and compared the patients' characteristics and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence-free survival after RP between groups with and without IDC-P or cribriform. In addition, we examined the predictive factors associated with IDC-P or cribriform. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with IDC-P or cribriform presence was 34.3% (47 patients). IDC-P or cribriform pattern was more abundant in the higher Gleason grade group in RP specimens (P < 0.001). The rates of PSA recurrence-free survival were significantly lower in the IDC-P or cribriform groups than in those without them (log rank P = 0.0211). There was no association between IDC-P or cribriform on RP with the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 4,5 score on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before RP even with adjustments for other covariates (OR, 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.511-3.980, P = 0.497). CONCLUSIONS: IDC-P or cribriform comprised approximately one-third of all RP specimens in men who underwent RP following AS, confirming their prognostic significance.

Prognostic impact of dose reduction in androgen receptor pathway inhibitors for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Background: Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) such as abiraterone and enzalutamide have been shown to prolong survival in patients with advanced prostate cancer. However, there is limited evidence on the anticancer effect of a reduced dose of ARPIs. This study compared the prognosis in patients with chemotherapy-naïve castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) between ARPI treatment with standard dose and treatment with reduced dose. Methods: Japanese patients who were treated with ARPI as first-line treatment for CRPC between 2014 and 2018 were included. The associations between dose reduction and clinicopathological factors, progression-free survival, and overall survival were investigated. Results: Of the 162 patients included, 33 (20.4%) patients had their dose reduced during ARPI treatment. In the multivariate analysis, higher PSA, abiraterone treatment, and dose reduction were significant prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS); however, dose reduction was not associated with overall survival. In the enzalutamide-treated group, the median PFS was 12.1 months (95% CI, 8.5-21.4 months) in the standard-dose group and 7.2 months (95% CI, 5.0-11.5 months) in the reduced-dose group (P = 0.038). Conclusion: This study suggests inferior oncological outcome when treated with reduced-dose ARPI for CRPC. Full-dose administration of ARPI for CRPC may be appropriate if feasible.

Prognostic significance of risk stratification in CHAARTED and LATITUDE studies among Japanese men with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The CHAARTED and LATITUDE trials demonstrated a survival benefit of docetaxel and abiraterone for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the impact of the risk stratification criteria used in the CHAARTED and LATITUDE trials on the prognosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We also tested whether these risk stratification criteria could help in selecting effective initial treatment for CRPC. METHOD: Japanese patients with CRPC who were treated with docetaxel or androgen receptor pathway inhibitors such as abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide between 2014 and 2018 were included in this study. Clinicopathological factors, progression-free survival, and overall survival were investigated. RESULTS: Of 215 patients, 110 men (51.2%) and 93 men (43.3%) were grouped as high volume by CHAARTED criteria and high risk by LATITUDE criteria, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 10.3/4.5 months (P < 0.0001) for low/high volume (CHAARTED criteria) and 9.9/4.8 months (P = 0.0032) for low/high risk (LATITUDE criteria). The median overall survival was 44.8/17.4 months (P < 0.0001) for low/high volume (CHAARTED criteria) and 37.4/17.4 months (P = 0.0011) for low/high risk (LATITUDE criteria). The prognostic impact of CHAARTED and LATITUDE criteria was comparable between androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and docetaxel as first-line treatment for CRPC. CONCLUSION: The CHAARTED and LATITUDE criteria were prognostic, but not useful to discriminate the therapeutic outcome between androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and docetaxel for CRPC.

Anticancer Effect of Second-line Treatment for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Following First-line Treatment with Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: Studies on the effect of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI), docetaxel (DTX), and radium-223 (Ra-223) after first-line treatment with ARPI in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are scarce. This study compared the efficacy of treatment after ARPI for CRPC. METHODS: Patients with CRPC who received ARPI as first-line treatment and different second-line treatments were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological backgrounds and treatment outcomes, including maximum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decrease, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), were compared between second-line treatments. RESULTS: In total, 88 patients were enrolled. Forty-one (46.6%), 37 (42.0%), and 10 (11.4%) patients were treated with ARPI, DTX, and Ra-223, respectively. Patients whose PSA levels were not adequately reduced by first-line treatment with ARPI were eventually enrolled in the DTX treatment (P = 0.030). PSA decrease was not significantly different when comparing treatments. PFS in the DTX group was significantly better than in the other two groups (P = 0.023). In multivariate analysis, DTX was an independent prognostic factor for better PFS compared to ARPI (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval; 0.44, 0.25-0.79, P = 0.006). Subgroup analysis showed a favorable impact of DTX on PFS in patients with Gleason score >8 (interaction P = 0.027) and a PSA decline >50% (interaction P = 0.019) during first-line treatment with ARPI. However, no significant difference in OS was observed between groups of different second-line treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in patients with CRPC, second-line treatment with DTX following progression in patients who received ARPI as first-line treatment is more beneficial compared with second-line treatment with ARPI or Ra-233.

Predictive factors of survival outcomes in first-line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate predictive factors of survival of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing first-line treatment with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors or docetaxel. METHODS: Japanese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibitor or docetaxel between 2008 and 2018 were included. The differential impact of various clinicopathological factors on the outcome, including progression-free survival and overall survival, was compared between treatment with androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and docetaxel. RESULTS: Of 254 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, 119 (46.9%) and 135 (53.2%) were treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and docetaxel, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that androgen receptor pathway inhibitor was an independent prognostic factor for better progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.92, P = 0.016) and overall survival (hazard ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.41-0.93, P = 0.021), compared with docetaxel. Pretreatment prostate-specific antigen levels and time to castration-resistant prostate cancer were differentially associated with progression-free survival and overall survival between androgen receptor pathway inhibitor or docetaxel. In patients who presented <6 months to castration-resistant prostate cancer, progression-free survival was shorter in those treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (median 1.1 months, 95% confidence interval 0.2-2.8 months) compared with those who received docetaxel (median 5.0 months, 95% confidence interval 1.8-6.7 months; P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: First-line therapy with androgen receptor pathway inhibitor is associated with a better prognosis when compared with docetaxel, even after adjustment for prognostic factors. However, a shorter time to castration-resistant prostate cancer is associated with better progression-free survival for patients receiving docetaxel, suggesting that docetaxel is the preferred option for patients with a shorter time to castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Differential prognostic impact of complete blood count-related parameters by prior use of novel androgen receptor pathway inhibitors in docetaxel-treated castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.

There are multiple reports on the value of complete blood count (CBC)-related parameters on prognosis in docetaxel-treated castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients before the emergence of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs). We investigated the prognostic significance of CBC-related parameters in docetaxel-treated CRPC patients. Patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy for CRPC between 2008 and 2018 were included. We analyzed the relevance of CBC-related parameters to oncological prognosis in docetaxel chemotherapy, associated with prior use of novel ARPIs. Among 144 Japanese men treated with docetaxel, 49 men (34.0%) had already received ARPI therapy. A high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was a prognostic factor for poor progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) in both univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, a low hemoglobin (Hb) level and a high systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were prognostic factors of poor OS in univariate analysis. Hb level was a prognostic factor of OS in both ARPI-naive and ARPI-treated patients. However, a high NLR and SII were only associated with a poor prognosis in ARPI-naive but not in ARPI-treated patients. Hb, NLR, and SII have been suggested to be prognosticators in docetaxel-treated CRPC patients. The differential prognostic value of NLR and SII between ARPI-naive and ARPI-treated patients may require caution when using these markers in docetaxel-treated CRPC patients.

Prognostic Value of Lower Tract Urinary Symptoms in Clinically Regional Lymph Node-positive Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To explore the prognostic value of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with newly diagnosed regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prognostic value of LUTS for progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival, as well as the differential prognostic impact of radiotherapy by LUTS was investigated. RESULTS: Univariate Cox-model analysis showed a statistically significantly increased hazard risk for PFS and OS for men with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)≥19 and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥8 at diagnosis. Patients with lower IPSS had a better PFS at 5 years (70.0% vs. 51.9%, p=0.027) and OS at 5 year (89.3% vs. 73.6%, p=0.016). Similarly, a lower OABSS was associated with greater PFS at 5 years (67.4% vs. 23.4%, p<0.001) and OS at 5 years (85.3% vs. 57.1%, p=0.012). CONCLUSION: IPSS and OABSS were prognostic for PFS and OS in patients with regional lymph node-metastatic prostate cancer.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer outcomes in patients without radical cystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a newly defined subtype that is unlikely to benefit from BCG rechallenge. Radical cystectomy is currently recommended for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC; however, a certain proportion of these patients can be managed with treatments other than that. Herein, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study to analyze the clinical outcomes of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC patients who did not receive radical cystectomy. METHODS: Of the 141 BCG-unresponsive NMIBC patients, 94 (66.7%) received treatment except radical cystectomy. Survival outcomes were calculated from the date of diagnosis using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Prognostic factors were identified using the multivariate Cox regression model. This group was further classified into three groups according to the number of risk factors, and survival outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses identified low estimated glomerular filtration rate (< 45 ml/min/1.73 m2) and large tumor size (≥ 30 mm) before BCG induction as independent poor prognostic factors for progression-free survival and overall survival, while the latter was also an independent factor for cancer-specific survival. The presence of variant histology was an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival. The high-risk non-cystectomy group showed a significantly poor prognosis for progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 7.61, 95% confidence interval: 2.11-27.5), cancer-specific survival (10.4, 0.54-70.02), and overall survival (8.28, 1.82-37.7). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patients with renal impairment and large tumors should undergo radical cystectomy if the complications and intentions of the patients allow so.

Lactate Dehydrogenase Is a Serum Prognostic Factor in Clinically Regional Lymph Node-positive Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Currently, there is no established prognostic serum parameter except PSA in clinically regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to identify serum prognostic factors in clinically regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer between 2008 and 2017 were included. The prognostic value of serum parameters for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was investigated. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analyses showed a statistically significant increased hazard risk for PFS and OS for men with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥230 IU/l at diagnosis. PFS at 5 years for patients with high and low LDH levels were 69.9% (95% CI=56.8-79.8%) and 18.9% (95% CI=1.23-53.2%), respectively (p=0.003). OS at 5 years for low and high LDH levels were 89.2% (95% CI=78.6-94.7%) and 46.3 (95% CI=11.2-76.2%), respectively (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: This study shows that LDH is an independent predictor of PFS and OS in patients with regional lymph node metastatic prostate cancer.

Prognostic impact of prior local therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reveal the prognostic values of prior local therapy in first-line therapy using androgen receptor-axis targeting agents (abiraterone or enzalutamide) or docetaxel for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). METHODS: The study included 303 patients treated with first-line therapy for non-metastatic and metastatic CRPC. The association between prior local therapy and therapeutic outcome including progression-free survival and overall survival was investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses as well as propensity score-matched analysis. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, local prior therapy was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.56, 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.79; P = 0.0009). Overall survival, but not progression-free survival, was better among patients with prior local therapy compared with patients without prior local therapy even after multivariate analysis and propensity score-matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study robustly indicated that prior local treatment was prognostic for overall survival among patients with CRPC. This finding is useful to predict patient prognosis in CRPC.

Efficacy and Safety of 4-Weekly Docetaxel for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

We investigated the efficacy and safety profiles of 4-weekly docetaxel for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Patients treated with ≥2 courses of docetaxel chemotherapy (median, 70 mg/m2) between 2008 and 2018 were included. Among 125 Japanese men, 40 (32.0%) and 85 (68.0%) were treated with 3-weekly and 4-weekly regimens, respectively. In the 4-weekly regimen, the risks of progression, treatment failure, and any-cause mortality were comparable to those in the 3-weekly regimen. The incidences of severe adverse events were also similar between the 3-weekly and 4-weekly regimens. These data suggest that the 4-weekly regimen may be an acceptable option for selected patients.

Health-related quality of life in Japanese low-risk prostate cancer patients choosing active surveillance: 3-year follow-up from PRIAS-JAPAN.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Japanese men on active surveillance (AS) in the Prostate cancer Research International Active Surveillance study in Japan (PRIAS-JAPAN). METHODS: Participants were included in the PRIAS-JAPAN HRQoL study between January 2010 and March 2016. Their general HRQoL was assessed using a validated Japanese version of the Short-Form 8 Health Survey (SF-8) at enrolment and annually thereafter until discontinuation of AS. The SF-8 mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) of men on AS were compared with scores of the general population (norm-based score [NBS]: 50) and MCS and PCS scores for men following AS were analysed over time. We tested whether MCS and PCS scores over time explained discontinuation of AS. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty-five patients enrolled, and the median age at baseline was 68 years. At enrolment and after 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-ups, the PCS and MCS scores were significantly higher than the NBS of the general Japanese population except for the median PCS at 3 years. We found that age at diagnosis and time on AS negatively affected the PCS score of men on AS, while every additional year on AS led to a 0.27 point increase in MCS scores. Neither PCS nor MCS were predictors for discontinuation of AS. CONCLUSION: Japanese men following an AS strategy for 3 years reported better HRQoL compared with the general population, indicating that monitoring Japanese low-risk prostate cancer patients can be an effective treatment strategy. STUDY REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registry-UMIN (University Hospital Medical Information Network); UMIN000002874 (2009/12/11).

Effect of Smoking on Oncological Outcome among Prostate Cancer Patients after Radical Prostatectomy with Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy.

We analyzed the association between smoking and oncological outcome after radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. This study included men who had undergone radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy between 2003 and 2016. We evaluated the association between clinicopathological factors and smoking status as well as the prognostic significance of smoking status in biochemical recurrence. The patients' backgrounds were comparable between smokers and nonsmokers. Smoking status were identified as significant risk factors of biochemical recurrence. Smoking was a risk factor of biochemical recurrence, suggesting that smoking may promote cancer recurrence after surgical treatment combined with hormonal therapy.

The prognosis and the impact of radiotherapy in clinically regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer: Which patients are candidates for local therapy with radiation?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the prognostic and predictive factors of local radiotherapy in clinically regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study includes patients who were newly diagnosed with regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer between 2008 and 2017. We investigated the prognostic value of clinicopathological parameters for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as well as the differential prognostic impact of radiotherapy by subgroup analysis. RESULTS: Among the 93 men enrolled as patients, 48 (51.6 %) were treated with radiotherapy. The biopsy positive core rate and biopsy Gleason score were associated with PFS, and the number of lymph node metastases was associated with both PFS and OS. Patients who underwent radiotherapy showed better PFS and OS. High-risk features (at least 2 criteria among ≥75% biopsy positive core rate, Gleason score ≥9, and ≥2 positive lymph nodes) were especially associated with improved outcomes after undergoing radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: We identified prognostic factors for clinically regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer and showed the benefits of local radiation therapy. Patients with high-risk features may be especially suitable candidates for radiotherapy.

The impact of complications after initial prostate biopsy on repeat protocol biopsy acceptance rate. Results from the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance JAPAN study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer on active surveillance (AS) are strictly followed for safer execution. Repeat protocol biopsy is essential for evaluating cancer aggressiveness. However, the acceptance rate of repeat biopsy is not high enough because of the burdens of biopsy. We assessed the impact of complications after the initial biopsy on repeat protocol biopsy at 1 year using data from the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS)-JAPAN study. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis using a prospective cohort in the PRIAS-JAPAN study. Patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer (n = 856) who consented to participate in the PRIAS-JAPAN study from 2010 to 2018 were enrolled. Follow-up evaluations included regular prostate-specific antigen, digital rectal examination and biopsy. Rates of complications after biopsies and repeat protocol biopsy non-acceptance rate at 1 year were reported. Logistic regression analysis explored the association between the complications after the initial biopsy and repeat protocol biopsy non-acceptance. RESULTS: Altogether, 759 patients (88.7%) actually proceeded to protocol at 1 year. Repeat protocol biopsy non-acceptance rate at 1 year was 14.9%. Regarding complications after the initial biopsy, hematuria (p = 0.028) and pain (p < 0.001) rates were significantly higher in the repeat biopsy non-acceptance group, but infection (p = 0.056) and hematospermia (p = 0.337) rates were not different. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, pain was a significant predictor for repeat protocol biopsy non-acceptance (odds ratio 4.68, 95% confidence interval 1.864-11.75; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pain at the initial biopsy negatively impacts patients' compliance with further protocol biopsies during AS.

Risk for intravesical recurrence of bladder cancer stratified by the results on two consecutive UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization tests: a prospective follow-up study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: A previous comparative study in Japan has demonstrated that the two consecutive UroVysion tests are useful tools to detect the presence of bladder cancer during follow-up after transurethral resection, but they also presented their high rates of false-positive results. Here, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the UroVysion tests and subsequent intravesical recurrence. METHODS: In the previous study, patients without bladder cancer during the first analysis showed the same examination set repeated 3 months later as the second analysis. In this follow-up study, 326 patients showed negative findings confirmed on cystoscopy during the second UroVysion test. Recurrence-free survival was assessed using a median follow-up of 27 months. RESULTS: In the two consecutive UroVysion tests, 214 patients (65.6%) showed negative UroVysion results in both tests, whereas 91 presented a positive result on either tests and 21 patients presented positive results in both tests. During the follow-up, 40 patients (12.3%) had an intravesical recurrence with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The recurrence rates in patients with negative results in both tests, those with one positive result in either tests, and those with positive results in both tests were 8.4%, 16.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. The multivariate analysis indicated that the history of bladder cancer and the consecutive UroVysion test pattern were independent risk factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirmed the effectiveness of two consecutive UroVysion tests in predicting intravesical recurrence after TURBT. Further prospective studies would help determine an appropriate interval for cystoscopy follow-up.