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.

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.

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.