Near-infrared fluorescence lymph node template region dissection plus backup lymphadenectomy in open radical cystectomy for bladder cancer using an innovative handheld device: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) as part of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC) remains unclear. Sentinel-based and lymphangiographic approaches could lead to reduced morbidity without sacrificing oncologic safety. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic value of fluorescence-guided template sentinel region dissection (FTD) using a handheld near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) camera in open radical cystectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: After peritumoral cystoscopic injection of indocyanine green (ICG) 21 patients underwent open RC with FTD due to BC between June 2019 and June 2021. Intraoperatively, the FIS-00 Hamamatsu Photonics® NIRF camera was used to identify and resect fluorescent template sentinel regions (FTRs) followed by extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (ePLND) as oncological back-up. OUTCOME MEASUREMENT AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive analysis of positive and negative results per template region. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: FTRs were identified in all 21 cases. Median time (range) from ICG injection to fluorescence detection was 75 (55-125) minutes. On average (SD), 33.4 (9.6) lymph nodes were dissected per patient. Considering template regions as the basis of analysis, 67 (38.3%) of 175 resected regions were NIRF-positive, with 13 (7.4%) regions harboring lymph node metastases. We found no metastatic lymph nodes in NIRF-negative template regions. Outside the standard template, two NIRF-positive benign nodes were identified. CONCLUSION: The concept of NIRF-guided FTD proved for this group all lymph node metastases to be found in NIRF-positive template regions. Pending validation in a larger collective, resection of approximately 40% of standard regions may be sufficient and may result in less morbidity.

Establishing Medical Intelligence - Leveraging FHIR to Improve Clinical Management: a retrospective cohort and clinical implementation study.

BACKGROUND: FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) has been proposed to enable health data interoperability. So far, its applicability has been demonstrated for selected research projects with limited data. OBJECTIVE: Here, we designed and implemented a conceptual medical intelligence framework to leverage real-world care data for clinical decision-making. METHODS: A Python package for the utilization of multimodal FHIR data (FHIRPACK) was developed and pioneered in five real-world clinical use cases, i.e., myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, diabetes, sepsis, and prostate cancer (PC). Patients were identified based on ICD-10 codes, and outcomes were derived from laboratory tests, prescriptions, procedures, and diagnostic reports. Results were provided as browser-based dashboards. RESULTS: For 2022, 1,302,988 patient encounters were analyzed. MI: In 72.7% of cases (N=261) medication regimens fulfilled guideline recommendations. Stroke: Out of 1,277 patients, 165 patients received thrombolysis and 108 thrombectomy. Diabetes: In 443,866 serum glucose and 16,180 HbA1c measurements from 35,494 unique patients, the prevalence of dysglycemic findings was 39% (N=13,887). Among those with dysglycemia, diagnosis was coded in 44.2% (N=6,138) of the patients. Sepsis: In 1,803 patients, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the primarily isolated pathogen (N=773, 28.9%) and piperacillin/tazobactam was the primarily prescribed antibiotic (N=593, 37.2%). PC: Three out of 54 patients who received radical prostatectomy were identified as cases with PSA persistence or biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Leveraging FHIR data through large-scale analytics can enhance healthcare quality and improve patient outcomes across five clinical specialties. We identified i) sepsis patients requiring less broad antibiotic therapy, ii) patients with myocardial infarction who could benefit from statin and antiplatelet therapy, iii) stroke patients with longer than recommended times to intervention, iv) patients with hyperglycemia who could benefit from specialist referral and v) PC patients with early increases in cancer markers.

Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor Therapy-Principles and Relevance of Biomarkers for Pathologists and Oncologists.

Immune-checkpoint-inhibitor (ICI) therapy has been one of the major advances in the treatment of a variety of advanced or metastatic tumors in recent years. Therefore, ICI-therapy is already approved in first-line therapy for multiple tumors, either as monotherapy or as combination therapy. However, there are relevant differences in approval among different tumor entities, especially with respect to PD-L1 testing. Different response to ICI-therapy has been observed in the pivotal trials, so PD-L1 diagnostic testing is used for patient selection. In addition to PD-L1 testing of tumor tissue, liquid biopsy provides a noninvasive way to monitor disease in cancer patients and identify those who would benefit most from ICI-therapy. This overview focuses on the use of ICI-therapy and how it relates to common and potential future biomarkers for patient-directed treatment planning.

Risk and predictors of adverse pathology after radical prostatectomy in patients diagnosed with IUSP 1-2 prostate cancer at MRI-targeted biopsy: a multicenter analysis.

PURPOSE: Although active surveillance (AS) is recommended for low- to favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa), risk of upgrading at radical prostatectomy (RP) is not negligible. Available studies based on systematic transrectal ultrasound biopsy might not be applicable to contemporary cohorts diagnosed with MRI-targeted biopsy (TB). The aim of the present study is to explore rates and risk factors for adverse outcomes (AO) at RP in patients with ISUP ≤ 2 PCa detected at TB with concomitant systematic biopsy (SB). METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective analysis of 475 consecutive patients with ISUP ≤ 2 PCa at MRI-TB + SB is treated with RP. AO were defined as ISUP upgrading, adverse pathology (upgrading to ISUP ≥ 3 and/or ≥ pT3 at RP, and/or pN1) (AP) or biochemical recurrence (BCR) in men with follow-up (n = 327). RESULTS: The rate of ISUP upgrading, upgrading ≥ 3, and AP were 39%, 21%, and 43%. Compared to ISUP2, men with ISUP1 PCa had a higher rate of overall upgrading (27 vs. 67%, p < 0.001), but less upgrading to ≥ 3 (27 vs. 10%, p < 0.001). AP was more common when ISUP2 was detected with a combined MRI-TB + SB approach compared to considering TB (p = 0.02) or SB (p = 0.01) alone. PSA, PSA density, PI-RADS, ISUP at TB, overall biopsy ISUP and EAU classification were predictors of upgrading to ISUP ≥ 3 and AP. The 1 year BCR-free survival was 94% with no differences in BCR rates between subgroups. CONCLUSION: Upgrading in ISUP ≤ 2 PCa remains prevalent even in men diagnosed in the MRI era. The use of MRI-TB with concomitant SB allows for the accurate identification of ISUP2 PCa and predicts the risk of AO at RP.

Impact of COVID-19 crisis on medical care of patients with metastasized uro-oncologic disease under systemic cancer therapy: a multicenter study in German university hospitals.

PURPOSE: To date, over 4.2 million Germans and over 235 million people worldwide have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Uro-oncology (UO) patients are particularly vulnerable but in urgent need of life-saving systemic treatments. Our multicentric study examined the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the medical care of UO patients in German university hospitals receiving ongoing systemic anti-cancer treatment and to detect the delay of medical care, defined as deferred medical treatment or deviation of the pre-defined follow-up assessment. METHODS: Data of 162 UO patients with metastatic disease undergoing systemic cancer treatment at five university hospitals in Germany were included in our analyses. The focus of interest was any delay or change in treatment between February 2020 and May 2020 (first wave of the COVID-19 crisis in Germany). Statistical analysis of contingency tables were performed using Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, respectively. Effect size was determined using Cramér's V (V). RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 162 patients (14.8%) experienced a delay in systemic treatment of more than 2 weeks. Most of these received immuno-oncologic (IO) treatments (13/24, 54.2%, p = 0.746). Blood tests were delayed or canceled significantly more often in IO patients but with a small effect size (21.1%, p = 0.042, V = 0.230). Treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (12/73, 16.4%) and urothelial carcinoma (7/32, 21.9%) was affected the most. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the medical care of UO patients, but deferment remained modest. There was a tendency towards delays in IO and ADT treatments in particular.

Variation across operating sites in urinary and sexual outcomes after radical prostatectomy in localized and locally advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: The extent of variation in urinary and sexual functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RPE) between prostate cancer (PC) operating sites remains unknown. Therefore, this analysis aims to compare casemix-adjusted functional outcomes (EPIC-26 scores incontinence, irritative/obstructive function and sexual function) between operating sites 12 months after RPE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of a cohort of 7065 men treated with RPE at 88 operating sites (prostate cancer centers, "PCCs") between 2016 and 2019. Patients completed EPIC-26 and sociodemographic information surveys at baseline and 12 months after RPE. Survey data were linked to clinical data. EPIC-26 domain scores at 12 months after RPE were adjusted for relevant confounders (including baseline domain score, clinical and sociodemographic information) using regression analysis. Differences between sites were described using minimal important differences (MIDs) and interquartile ranges (IQR). The effects of casemix adjustment on the score results were described using Cohen's d and MIDs. RESULTS: Adjusted domain scores at 12 months varied between sites, with IQRs of 66-78 (incontinence), 89-92 (irritative/obstructive function), and 20-29 (sexual function). Changes in domain scores after casemix adjustment for sites ≥ 1 MID were noted for the incontinence domain (six sites). Cohen's d ranged between - 0.07 (incontinence) and - 0.2 (sexual function), indicating a small to medium effect of casemix adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Variation between sites was greatest in the incontinence and sexual function domains for RPE patients. Future research will need to identify the factors contributing to this variation. TRIAL REGISTRY: The study is registered at the German Clinical Trial Registry ( https://www.drks.de/drks_web/ ) with the following ID: DRKS00010774.

Retrograde Pyelography in the Presence of Urothelial Bladder Cancer Does Not Affect the Risk of Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of a Single-Centre Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with bladder cancer (BC) are at risk of developing upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Therefore, CT urography is recommended for follow-up. To avoid intravenous contrast agents, retrograde pyelography (RPG) is an alternative. However, it is still unclear whether RPG increases the incidence of UTUC. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of RPG in the presence of BC on the risk of developing UTUC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively analysing a total of 3,680 RPGs between 2009 and 2016, all patients with simultaneous BC (group 1) and those without synchronous BC (group 2) during RPG were compared. All patients were risk stratified according to the EORTC bladder calculator. In patients without BC during RPG, risk stratification was based on the worst prior tumour characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients with a history of BC were analysed. Of these, 112 patients underwent RPG with simultaneous BC. UTUC developed in 6 of 112 patients (5.4%) and 58.9% (66/112) had high-risk BC according to the EORTC bladder calculator. In the control group, one out of 33 (3%) patients with metachronous high-risk BC developed UTUC. CONCLUSIONS: Using RPG in the presence of BC did not increase the risk of UTUC. Due to the predominant number of high-risk/high-grade tumours, individual tumour biology appears to be the primary driver for the development of UTUC.

High fibroblast-activation-protein expression in castration-resistant prostate cancer supports the use of FAPI-molecular theranostics.

PURPOSE: To evaluate fibroblast-activation-protein (FAP) expression in different clinical stages of prostate cancer (PC) with regards to utility of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT imaging in patients with castration-resistant PC (CRPC). METHODS: Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed from prostatic tissue from 94 patients at different stages of PC (primary PC, patients undergoing neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy, CRPC, and neuroendocrine PC (NEPC)) and were stained with anti-FAP monoclonal antibody. A positive pixel count algorithm (H-Index) was used to compare FAP expression between the groups. Additionally, three men with advanced CRPC or NEPC underwent [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT, and PET positivity was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean H-index for benign tissue, primary PC, neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy before radical prostatectomy, CRPC, and NEPC was 0.018, 0.031, 0.042, 0.076, and 0.051, respectively, indicating a significant rise in FAP expression with advancement of disease. Corroborating these findings [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT was highly positive in men with advanced CRPC. CONCLUSION: Increased FAP tissue expression supports the use of FAP inhibitor (FAPI)-molecular theranostics in CRPC.

Beta radioguided surgery: towards routine implementation?

In locally or locally advanced solid tumors, surgery still remains a fundamental treatment method. However, conservative resection is associated with high collateral damage and functional limitations of the patient. Furthermore, the presence of residual tumor tissue following conservative surgical treatment is currently a common cause of locally recurrent cancer or of distant metastases. Reliable intraoperative detection of small cancerous tissue would allow surgeons to selectively resect malignant areas: this task can be achieved by means of image-guided surgery, such as beta radioguided surgery (RGS). In this paper, a comprehensive review of beta RGS is given, starting from the physical principles that differentiate beta from gamma radiation, that already has its place in current surgical practice. Also, the recent clinical feasibility of using Cerenkov radiation is discussed. Despite being first proposed several decades ago, only in the last years a remarkable interest in beta RGS has been observed, probably driven by the diffusion of PET radiotracers. Today several different approaches are being pursued to assess the effectiveness of such a technique, including both beta+ and beta- emitting radiopharmaceuticals. Beta RGS shows some peculiarities that can present it as a very promising complementary technique to standard procedures. Good results are being obtained in several tests, both ex vivo and in vivo. This might however be the time to initiate the trials to demonstrate the real clinical value of these technologies with seemingly clear potential.

The Role of YKL-40 in Predicting Resistance to Docetaxel Chemotherapy in Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: High baseline YKL-40 serum levels are associated with drug resistance in several solid tumours. However, their role in predicting docetaxel (DOC) resistance in prostate cancer (PCa) is unknown. METHODS: Pre-treatment serum levels of YKL-40 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were analyzed in 109 castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who underwent DOC-therapy. Responsive patients were retreated by repeated series of DOC. Results were compared with the clinical parameters as well as overall (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: YKL-40 but not PSA serum levels were significantly higher in patients with baseline resistance to DOC (p = 0.035). Higher YKL-40 and PSA levels were detected in patients with bone metastasis (p = 0.032; p = 0.010) and in those who were not pre-treated with radical prostatectomy (p = 0.011, p = 0.008). High YKL-40 levels were associated with shorter OS (p = 0.037) and DSS (p = 0.017) in patients who received DOC in the first-line setting. In multivariable analysis, ECOG performance status (p = 0.009), presence of any metastases (p = 0.016) and high PSA levels (p = 0.005) remained independent predictors for DSS. CONCLUSIONS: YKL-40 may help to identify patients with baseline resistance to DOC and therefore may help to optimize treatment decisions. In accordance, high pre-treatment YKL-40 serum levels were associated with shorter OS and DSS in patients who received DOC as first-line therapy.

Robotic thoracic surgery results in shorter hospital stay and lower postoperative pain compared to open thoracotomy: a matched pairs analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate postoperative pain intensity and length of hospital stay after open or robotic thoracic surgery in a standardized postoperative pain therapy setting. METHODS: In the present retrospective (oberservation period: January 2015 until January 2016) study we matched data of 38 patients with robotic thoracic surgery ("robotic patients"; age: 62.2 years, male gender: 42.1%) with 38 patients with open thoracic surgery ("open patients"; age: 62.5 years, male gender: 42.1%). Power analysis indicated that 36 patients per group would be required. RESULTS: 68% of all patients received an epidural catheter, and 32% a systemic opioid based analgesia. Postoperative pain intensity in "robotic patients" was lower at rest on postoperative day 3-5 compared to "open patients" (NRS POD 3 robotic surgery 0.5±1.0 vs. open surgery 1.0±1.6, p = 0.04; NRS POD 4 robotic surgery 0,5 ± 1.0 vs. open surgery 1.1±1.3, p=0.04; NRS POD 5 robotic surgery 0.7 ± 1.0 vs. open surgery 1.5±1.5, p=0.003). Chest tube duration was shorter in "robotic patients" (2.9 ± 2.0 days vs. 4.9 ± 2.2 days; p < 0.001). Moreover, length of hospital stay was shorter in "robotic patients" than in "open patients" (6.9 days vs. 8.0 days; p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in postoperative opioid consumption between the groups. Nearly 95% of patients were discharged home with an oral opioid in both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients after robotic pulmonary resection experience lower postoperative pain and are discharged earlier from hospital than patients after open thoracic surgery. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The study design is retrospectively.

Controlled-Release Oxycodone as "Gold Standard" for Postoperative Pain Therapy in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery or Thoracoscopy: A Retrospective Evaluation of 788 Cases.

BACKGROUND: To assess the clinical efficacy of controlled-release oxycodone for postoperative analgesia after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or thoracoscopy. METHODS: Pain therapy is standardized in our thoracic center throughout the complete postoperative stay. Patients receive immediately postoperative standardized oral analgesic protocol with controlled-released oxycodone (Oxy Group) or oxycodone with naloxone (Targin Group) and nonopioid every 6 h. We switched the opioid protocol from controlled-release oxycodone to Targin in January 2012. All patients are visited daily by a pain specialist throughout the whole stay. RESULTS: Data of 788 patients undergoing VATS (n = 367) or thoracoscopy (n = 421) during January 2011 until March 2013 were analyzed. In VATS, patients with Targin had higher pain scores at rest (p < 0.02) and on coughing (p < 0.001) than patients with oxycodone alone and more patients with Targin were dismissed with oral opioid dose than patients with oxycodone alone (p < 0.001). No differences in pain scores on POD 5 and 6, or in length of hospital stay, incidence of nausea, time to first dejection or opioid dose after dismission were found between controlled-release oxycodone and Targin. After conventional thoracoscopy, 209 patients received controlled-release oxycodone and 212 Targin. Patients with Targin had higher pain scores at rest (p < 0.004) and on coughing (p < 0.01) than patients with oxycodone alone and more patients with Targin were dismissed with oral opioid dose than patients with oxycodone alone (p < 0.004). There were no differences in pain scores on POD 5 and 6, or in length of hospital stay, incidence of nausea, time to first dejection or opioid dose after dismission. CONCLUSION: Oral opioid analgesia with controlled-release oxycodone is an effective postoperative regimen after VATS and thoracoscopies. Our retrospective data indicate that Targin might be less effective analgesic than oxycodone after VATS and thoracoscopies with no improvement in bowel function in the immediate postoperative period. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The study design is retrospective in nature.

PSMA-PET follow-up to assess response in patients not receiving PSMA therapy: Is there value beyond localization of disease?

Introduction: Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography (PSMA-PET) is routinely used for the staging of patients with prostate cancer, but data on response assessment are sparse and primarily stem from metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with PSMA radioligand therapy. Still, follow-up PSMA-PET is employed in earlier disease stages in case of clinical suspicion of disease persistence, recurrence or progression to decide if localized or systemic treatment is indicated. Therefore, the prognostic value of PSMA-PET derived tumor volumes in earlier disease stages (i.e., hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) and non-[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (LuPSMA) therapy castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)) are evaluated in this manuscript. Methods: A total number of 73 patients (6 primary staging, 42 HSPC, 25 CRPC) underwent two (i.e., baseline and follow-up, median interval: 379 days) whole-body [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scans between Nov 2014 and Dec 2018. Analysis was restricted to non-LuPSMA therapy patients. PSMA-PETs were retrospectively analyzed and primary tumor, lymph node-, visceral-, and bone metastases were segmented. Body weight-adjusted organ-specific and total tumor volumes (PSMAvol: sum of PET volumes of all lesions) were measured for baseline and follow-up. PSMAvol response was calculated as the absolute difference of whole-body tumor volumes. High metastatic burden (>5 metastases), RECIP 1.0 and PSMA-PET Progression Criteria (PPP) were determined. Survival data were sourced from the cancer registry. Results: The average number of tumor lesions per patient on the initial PET examination was 10.3 (SD 28.4). At baseline, PSMAvol was strongly associated with OS (HR 3.92, p <0.001; n = 73). Likewise, response in PSMAvol was significantly associated with OS (HR 10.48, p < 0.005; n = 73). PPP achieved significance as well (HR 2.19, p <0.05, n = 73). Patients with hormone sensitive disease and poor PSMAvol response (upper quartile of PSMAvol change) in follow-up had shorter outcome (p < 0.05; n = 42). PSMAvol in bones was the most relevant parameter for OS prognostication at baseline and for response assessment (HR 31.11 p < 0.001; HR 32.27, p < 0.001; n = 73). Conclusion: PPP and response in PSMAvol were significantly associated with OS in the present heterogeneous cohort. Bone tumor volume was the relevant miTNM region for OS prognostication. Future prospective evaluation of the performance of organ specific PSMAvol in more homogeneous cohorts seems warranted.

Cabozantinib Plus Nivolumab in Adult Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective, Non-Interventional Study in a Real-World Cohort/GUARDIANS Project.

INTRODUCTION: Combinations of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard of care (SOC) for treatment-naive metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. In this multicenter study, we evaluated the RW safety and efficacy of cabozantinib plus nivolumab in mRCC patients. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from twelve cancer centers in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Patients with advanced or mRCC were eligible. The investigator-based objective response rate (ORR) and progression free survival (PFS) were calculated from the start of the treatment to progression or death. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots were utilized where appropriate. RESULTS: In total, 96 eligible patients (66.6% male) with a median age of 66.0 years were included. The most common histology was clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) in 63.4% (n = 61). A prior nephrectomy was performed in 60.4% (n = 58). ECOG 0-1 was 68.8% (n = 66). A partial response was documented in 43.8% of patients (n = 42), a stable disease in 32.3% (n = 31), and a progressive disease in 8.3% (n = 8) as the best overall response. Response data were not evaluable in 13.5% (n = 13). The median follow-up time was 12.7 months (95% CI, 10.0-15.3). The PFS rate at 6 months was 89.8% in the overall population (86.8% for ccRCC; 90.0% for non-ccRCC). Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 82.3% (n = 79) for all grades and 41.7% (n = 40) for grades 3-5. Elevated liver enzymes (34.4%), diarrhea (31.3%), and hand-foot syndrome (29.2%) were the three most frequent AEs of any grade and causality. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world cohort of mRCC patients, the application of cabozantinib plus nivolumab was shown to be safe and feasible. Our data support the use of cabozantinib plus nivolumab as a first-line standard therapy in mRCC patients. Major limitations were the retrospective data capture and short follow-up time of our study.

Which Patients with Prostate Cancer and Lymph Node Uptake at Preoperative Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography Scan Are at a Higher Risk of Prostate-specific Antigen Persistence After Radical Prostatectomy? Identifying Indicators of Systemic Disease by Integrating Clinical, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Functional Imaging Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The role of local therapies including radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients with clinical lymphadenopathies on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) has scarcely been explored. Limited data are available to identify men who would benefit from RP; on the contrary, those more likely to benefit already have systemic disease. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the predictors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence in surgically managed PCa patients with lymphadenopathies on a PSMA PET/CT scan by integrating clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and PSMA PET/CT parameters. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We identified 519 patients treated with RP and extended lymph node dissection, and who received preoperative PSMA PET between 2017 and 2022 in nine referral centers. Among them, we selected 88 patients with nodal uptake at preoperative PSMA PET (miTxN1M0). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The outcome was PSA persistence, defined as a PSA value of ≥0.1 ng/ml at the first measurement after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models tested the predictors of PSA persistence. Covariates consisted of biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group, clinical stage at MRI, and number of positive spots at a PET/CT scan. A regression tree analysis stratified patients into risk groups based on preoperative characteristics. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, lymph node invasion (LNI) was detected in 63 patients (72%) and 32 (36%) experienced PSA persistence after RP. At multivariable analyses, having more than two lymph nodal positive findings at PSMA PET, seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) at MRI, and ISUP grade group >3 at biopsy were independent predictors of PSA persistence (all p < 0.05). At the regression tree analysis, patients were stratified in four risk groups according to biopsy ISUP grade, number of positive findings at PET/CT, and clinical stage at MRI. The model depicted good discrimination at internal validation (area under the curve 78%). CONCLUSIONS: One out of three miN1M0 patients showed PSA persistence after surgery. Patients with ISUP grade 2-3, as well as patients with organ-confined disease at MRI and a single or two positive nodal findings at PET are those in whom RP may achieve the best oncological outcomes in the context of a multimodal approach. Conversely, patients with a high ISUP grade and extracapsular extension or SVI or more than two spots at PSMA PET should be considered as potentially affected by systemic disease upfront. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our novel and straightforward risk classification integrates currently available preoperative risk tools and should, therefore, assist physician in preoperative counseling of men candidates for radical treatment for prostate cancer with positive lymph node uptake at prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography.

NECTIN4 Amplification Is Frequent in Solid Tumors and Predicts Enfortumab Vedotin Response in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer.

PURPOSE: The anti-NECTIN4 antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin (EV) is approved for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). However, durable benefit is only achieved in a small, yet uncharacterized patient subset. NECTIN4 is located on chromosome 1q23.3, and 1q23.3 gains represent frequent copy number variations (CNVs) in urothelial cancer. Here, we aimed to evaluate NECTIN4 amplifications as a genomic biomarker to predict EV response in patients with mUC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established a NECTIN4-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to assess the predictive value of NECTIN4 CNVs in a multicenter EV-treated mUC patient cohort (mUC-EV, n = 108). CNVs were correlated with membranous NECTIN4 protein expression, EV treatment responses, and outcomes. We also assessed the prognostic value of NECTIN4 CNVs measured in metastatic biopsies of non-EV-treated mUC (mUC-non-EV, n = 103). Furthermore, we queried The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data sets (10,712 patients across 32 cancer types) for NECTIN4 CNVs. RESULTS: NECTIN4 amplifications are frequent genomic events in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (TCGA bladder cancer data set: approximately 17%) and mUC (approximately 26% in our mUC cohorts). In mUC-EV, NECTIN4 amplification represents a stable genomic alteration during metastatic progression and associates with enhanced membranous NECTIN4 protein expression. Ninety-six percent (27 of 28) of patients with NECTIN4 amplifications demonstrated objective responses to EV compared with 32% (24 of 74) in the nonamplified subgroup (P < .001). In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, sex, and Bellmunt risk factors, NECTIN4 amplifications led to a 92% risk reduction for death (hazard ratio, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.02 to 0.34]; P < .001). In the mUC-non-EV, NECTIN4 amplifications were not associated with outcomes. TCGA Pan-Cancer analysis demonstrated that NECTIN4 amplifications occur frequently in other cancers, for example, in 5%-10% of breast and lung cancers. CONCLUSION: NECTIN4 amplifications are genomic predictors of EV responses and long-term survival in patients with mUC.

Metastatic Prostate Cancer-A Review of Current Treatment Options and Promising New Approaches.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone has been the standard of care for many years in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Due to the limited survival under this monotherapy, many new treatment options have been developed in the last few years. Regarding hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, combination therapies of two or three agents of ADT, androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) and chemotherapy have been established and led to a significant benefit in overall survival. Additionally, in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, there are many new therapeutic approaches. Chemotherapy alone has been the standard of care in this situation. In the last years, some new therapeutic options have been developed, which led to an improved survival after progression under chemotherapy. These therapies include ARSI, PARP inhibitors and Lu-PSMA radioligand therapy. The use of a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) in this setting is a new promising therapeutic approach, which has not been established as standard of care yet. The role of immunotherapy in prostate cancer is still under investigation. Overall, many new treatment options make prostate cancer therapy a challenging and promising field.

Cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) for evaluating learning curve (LC) of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN).

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) is becoming a standard treatment for localized renal tumors worldwide. Data on the learning curve (LC) of RALPN are still insufficient. In the present study, we have attempted to gain further insight in this area by evaluating the LC using cumulative summation analysis (CUSUM). A series of 127 robotic partial nephrectomies were performed by two surgeons at our center between January 2018 and December 2020. CUSUM analysis was used to evaluate LC for operative time (OT). The different phases of surgical experience were compared in terms of perioperative parameters and pathologic outcomes. In addition, multivariate linear regression analysis was used to confirm the results of the CUSUM analysis by adjusting the phases of surgical experience for the other confounding factors that may affect OT. The median age of patients was 62 years, mean BMI was 28, and mean tumor size was 32 mm. Tumor complexity was classified as low, intermediate, and high risk according to the PADUA score in 44%, 38%, and 18%, respectively. The mean OT was 205 min, and trifecta was achieved in 72.4%. According to the CUSUM diagram, the LC of OT was divided into three phases: initial learning phase (18 cases), plateau phase (20 cases), and mastery phase (subsequent cases). The mean OT was 242, 208, and 190 min in the first, second, and third phases, respectively (P < 0.001). Surgeon experience phases were significantly associated with OT in multivariate analysis considering other preoperative and operative parameters. Surgical outcome was comparable between the three phases in terms of complications and achievement of trifecta; hospital stay was shorter in the mastery phase than in the first 2 phases (4 days vs 5 days, P = 0.02). The LC for RALPN is divided into 3 performance phases with CUSUM. Mastery of surgical technique was achieved after performing 38 cases. The initial learning phase of RALPN has no negative impact on surgical and oncologic outcomes .

18F-PSMA Cerenkov Luminescence and Flexible Autoradiography Imaging in a Prostate Cancer Mouse Model and First Results of a Radical Prostatectomy Feasibility Study in Men.

Intraoperative identification of positive resection margins (PRMs) in high-risk prostate cancer (PC) needs improvement. Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) with 68Ga-PSMA-11 is promising, although limited by low residual activity and artificial signals. Here, we aimed to assess the value of CLI and flexible autoradiography (FAR) with 18F-PSMA-1007. Methods: Mice bearing subcutaneous PSMA-avid RM1-PGLS tumors were administered 18F-PSMA-1007, and PET/CT was performed. After the animals had been killed, organs were excised and measured signals in CLI and FAR CLI were correlated with tracer activity concentrations (ACs) obtained from PET/CT. For clinical assessment, 7 high-risk PC patients underwent radical prostatectomy immediately after preoperative 18F-PSMA PET/CT. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for both imaging modalities in intact specimens and after incision above the index lesion. Results: In the heterotopic in vivo mouse model (n = 5), CLI did not detect any lesion. FAR CLI detected a distinct signal in all mice, with a lowest AC of 7.25 kBq/mL (CNR, 5.48). After incision above the index lesion of the prostate specimen, no increased signal was observed at the cancer area in CLI. In contrast, using FAR CLI, a signal was detectable in 6 of 7 patients. The AC in the missed index lesion was 1.85 kBq/mL, resulting in a detection limit of at least 2.06 kBq/mL. Histopathology demonstrated 2 PRMs, neither of which was predicted by CLI or FAR CLI. Conclusion: 18F-PSMA FAR CLI was superior to CLI in tracer-related signal detectability. PC was could be visualized in radical prostatectomy down to 2.06 kBq/mL. However, the detection of PRMs was limited. Direct anatomic correlation of FAR CLI is challenging because of the scintillator overlay.