Biochemical Response of <0.1 ng/ml Predicts Therapy-free Survival of Prostate Cancer Patients following Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-targeted Salvage Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In a subset of patients with oligorecurrent prostate cancer (PCa), salvage surgery with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioguided surgery (PSMA-RGS) seems to be of value. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a lower level of postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA; <0.1 ng/ml) is predictive of therapy-free survival (TFS) following salvage PSMA-RGS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study evaluated patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy and oligorecurrent PCa on PSMA positron emission tomography treated with PSMA-RGS in three tertiary care centers (2014-2022). INTERVENTION: PSMA-RGS. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Postsalvage surgery PSA response was categorized as <0.1, 0.1-<0.2, or >0.2 ng/ml. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models evaluated TFS according to PSA response. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among 553 patients assessed, 522 (94%) had metastatic soft tissue lesions removed during PSMA-RGS. At 2-16 wk after PSMA-RGS, 192, 62, and 190 patients achieved PSA levels of <0.1, 0.1-<0.2, and >0.2 ng/ml, respectively. At 2 yr of follow-up, TFS rate was 81.1% versus 56.1% versus 43.1% (p < 0.001) for patients with PSA <0.1 versus 0.1-<0.2 versus >0.2 ng/ml. In multivariable analyses, PSA levels of 0.1-0.2 ng/ml (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.9, confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.1) and ≥0.2 ng/ml (HR: 3.2, CI: 2.2-4.6, p < 0.001) independently predicted the need for additional therapy after PSMA-RGS. The main limitation is the lack of a control group. CONCLUSIONS: For patients after salvage PSMA-RGS, a lower biochemical response (PSA <0.1 ng/ml) seems to predict longer TFS. This insight may help in counseling patients postoperatively as well as guiding the timely selection of additional therapy. PATIENT SUMMARY: We studied what happened to prostate cancer patients in three European centers who had salvage surgery using a special method called prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted radioguidance. We found that patients who had low prostate-specific antigen levels soon after surgery were less likely to need further treatment for a longer time.

[Salvage lymphadenectomy for recurrent prostate cancer]. / Salvage-Lymphadenektomie beim Prostatakarzinom.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based positron emission tomography (PET) imaging allows early detection of metastases in patients with biochemical recurrence. Salvage lymphadenectomy became a widely used method of metastasis-directed treatment. Retrospective analyses show that a low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value and presence of no more than two affected lymph nodes within the pelvis are factors associated with a good outcome. In all, 40-80% of patients achieve a complete biochemical response with a mean time without biochemical recurrence of 8 months and a prolonged treatment-free interval. About 10% of patients with a complete biochemical response will live without recurrence after 10 years. The utilization of PSMA-radioguided surgery increases the likelihood of intraoperative detection of suspicious affected lymph nodes. Complications can mostly be avoided by prudent patient selection and surgical expertise.

Molecular Urothelial Tumor Cell Subtypes Remain Stable During Metastatic Evolution.

Urothelial cancer (UC) care is moving toward precision oncology. For tumor biology-driven treatment of metastatic UC (mUC), molecular subtypes play a crucial role. However, it is not known whether subtypes change during metastatic evolution. To address this, we analyzed a UC progression cohort (N = 154 patients) with 138 matched primary tumors (PRIM) and synchronous or metachronous distant metastasis (MET) by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA sequencing in a subgroup of 20 matched pairs. Protein-based tumor cell subtypes and histomorphology remained stable during metastatic progression (concordance: 94%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 88-97%). In comparison, transcriptome-based molecular consensus subtypes exhibited higher heterogeneity between PRIM and MET (concordance: 45%, 95% CI 23-69%), with switches particularly occurring between luminal and stroma-rich tumors. Of note, all tumors classified as stroma rich showed luminal tumor cell differentiation. By an in-depth analysis, we found a negative correlation of luminal gene and protein expression with increasing desmoplastic stroma content, suggesting that luminal tumor cell differentiation of "stroma-rich tumors" is superimposed by gene expression signals stemming from the stromal compartment. Immunohistochemistry allows tumor cell subtyping into luminal, basal, or neuroendocrine classes that remain stable during metastatic progression. These findings expand our biological understanding of UC MET and have implications for future subtype-stratified clinical trials in patients with mUC. PATIENT SUMMARY: Urothelial carcinomas (UCs) occur in different appearances, the so-called molecular subtypes. These molecular subtypes will gain importance for the therapy of metastatic UCs in the future. We could demonstrate that the subtype remains stable during metastasis, which is highly relevant for future studies.

Heterogeneity of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and PSMA-ligand uptake detection combining autoradiography and postoperative pathology in primary prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been highly successful for imaging and treatment of prostate cancer. However, heterogeneity in immunohistochemistry indicates limitations in the effect of imaging and radionuclide therapy of multifocal disease. 99mTc-PSMA-I&S is a γ-emitting probe, which can be used for intraoperative lesion detection and postsurgical autoradiography (ARG). We aimed to study its intraprostatic distribution and compared it with (immuno)-histopathology. RESULTS: Seventeen patients who underwent RGS between 11/2018 and 01/2020 with a total of 4660 grids were included in the preliminary analysis. Marked intratumor and intra-patient heterogeneity of PSMA expression was detected, and PSMA negative foci were observed in all samples (100%). Heterogeneous intra-patient PSMA-ligand uptake was observed, and no significant correlation was present between the degree of heterogeneity of PSMA expression and PSMA-ligand uptake. Higher PSMA-ligand uptake was observed in GS ≥ 8 than GS < 8 (p < 0.001). The appearance of Gleason Pattern (GP) 4 was strongly associated with higher uptake (coefficient: 0.43, p < 0.001), while GP 5 also affected the uptake (coefficient: 0.07, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PSMA expression and PSMA-ligand uptake show marked heterogeneity. Prostate carcinoma with GP 4 showed significantly higher uptake compared with non-neoplastic prostate tissue. Our analyses extend the scope of applications of radiolabeled PSMA-ligands to ARG for identifying high-grade disease and using its signal as a noninvasive biomarker in prostate cancer.

Does experience change the role of systematic biopsy during MRI-fusion biopsy of the prostate?

PURPOSE: To determine the role of biopsy experience regarding a potential benefit of additional systematic biopsies and fusion failures during MRI-targeted biopsy of the prostate. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 576 men undergoing transrectal (MRI)-targeted biopsy of the prostate by seven residents in urology between November 2019 and March 2022. Benefit of systematic biopsies (detection of ISUP ≥ 2 PCa (clinically significant PCa (csPCa)) solely in systematic biopsies) and fusion failure (detection of csPCa during systematic biopsies in the area of a reported MRI-lesion and no detection of csPCa in targeted biopsy) were compared by growing biopsy experience levels. Multivariable regression analyses were calculated to investigate the association with benefit of systematic biopsies and fusion failure. RESULTS: The overall PCa detection rate was 72% (413/576). A benefit of systematic biopsies was observed in 11% (63/576); of those, fusion failure was seen in 76% (48/63). Benefit of systematic biopsies and fusion failure were more common among residents with very low experience compared to highly experienced residents (18% versus 4%, p = 0.026; 13% versus 3%, p = 0.015, respectively). Increasing biopsy experience was associated with less benefit from systematic biopsies (OR: 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99) and less fusion failure (OR: 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of systematic biopsies following targeted biopsy decreases with growing biopsy experience. The higher risk of fusion failure among inexperienced residents necessitates systematic biopsies to ensure the detection of csPCa. Further prospective trials are warranted before a targeted only approach can be recommended in routine clinical practice.

Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-radioguided Surgery Facilitates Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection During Radical Prostatectomy for the Treatment of Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer with Regional Lymph Node Metastases.

Lymph node metastases (LNMs) are common in intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer (PC) and may be missed during extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). Here we report on the use of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-radioguided surgery (RGS) during open radical prostatectomy (RP) with ePLND to resect locoregional LNMs identified on preoperative PSMA positron emission tomography (PET). Preoperative PSMA PET showed 78 LNMs in 35 patients undergoing RP with ePLND and RGS between January 2018 and June 2020. In 14 patients (40%), LNMs were located outside the ePLND template. RGS achieved resection of PSMA-positive LNMs in 33/35 patients (94%). On univariable analysis, lower metastatic burden with up to two PSMA-positive LNMs on preoperative PET was associated with better postoperative outcomes. Limitations include the retrospective analysis and the small sample size. RGS facilitates resection of PSMA-positive LNs in patients treated with RP. Our data indicate a favorable treatment outcome in patients with low metastatic LN burden on preoperative PSMA PET. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated the use of radioactive guidance to remove lymph nodes affected by prostate cancer during surgical removal of the prostate. This approach can help to identify cancerous lymph nodes that might otherwise be missed and could lead to better survival outcomes.

Membranous NECTIN-4 Expression Frequently Decreases during Metastatic Spread of Urothelial Carcinoma and Is Associated with Enfortumab Vedotin Resistance.

PURPOSE: The antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin (EV) releases a cytotoxic agent into tumor cells via binding to the membrane receptor NECTIN-4. EV was recently approved for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) without prior assessment of the tumor receptor status as ubiquitous NECTIN-4 expression is assumed. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of membranous NECTIN-4 protein expression in primary tumors (PRIM) and patient-matched distant metastases (MET). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Membranous NECTIN-4 protein expression was measured (H-score) by IHC in PRIM and corresponding MET (N = 137) and in a multicenter EV-treated cohort (N = 47). Progression-free survival (PFS) after initiation of EV treatment was assessed for the NECTIN-4-negative/weak (H-score 0-99) versus moderate/strong (H-score 100-300) subgroup. The specificity of the NECTIN-4 IHC staining protocol was validated by establishing CRISPR-Cas9-induced polyclonal NECTIN-4 knockouts. RESULTS: In our cohort, membranous NECTIN-4 expression significantly decreased during metastatic spread (Wilcoxon matched pairs P < 0.001; median H-score = 40; interquartile range, 0-140), with 39.4% of MET lacking membranous NECTIN-4 expression. In our multicenter EV cohort, absence or weak membranous NECTIN-4 expression (34.0% of the cohort) was associated with a significantly shortened PFS on EV (log-rank P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Membranous NECTIN-4 expression is frequently decreased or absent in mUC tissue. Of note, the clinical benefit of EV strongly depends on membranous NECTIN-4 expression. Thus, our results are of highest clinical relevance and argue for a critical reconsideration of the current practice and suggest that the NECTIN-4 receptor status should be determined (ideally in a metastatic/progressive lesion) before initiation of EV. See related commentary by Aggen et al., p. 1377.

Spatial Immunephenotypes of Distant Metastases but not Matched Primary Urothelial Carcinomas Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition.

BACKGROUND: The value of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) to predict durable responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) is inconsistent. We hypothesize that the use of archived primary tumor material (PRIM) for PD-L1 testing in clinical trials not properly reflecting the metastatic disease status (MET) contributes to this clinical issue. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the predictive and prognostic value of PD-L1, spatial immunephenotypes, and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) determined in patient-matched PRIM/MET. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: PD-L1, spatial immunephenotypes, and MHC-I were examined in 154 mUC patients with at least one available pretreatment MET (138 patient-matched PRIM/MET pairs). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: PD-L1, spatial immunephenotype, and MHC-I status of (patient-matched PRIM and) pretreatment MET were correlated with chemotherapy and ICI response and outcomes. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Discordance rates in patient-matched PRIM/MET were 25/30%, 36%, and 49% for PD-L1 (CPS10/IC5%), immunephenotypes, and MHC-I (loss vs preserved), respectively. Correlations with chemotherapy and ICI responses were observed for immunephenotypes and MHC-I status determined in MET (not for PD-L1 alone), but not in PRIM. In case of ICIs, patients with cytotoxic tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) showed durable responses with disease control rates of 90% and a hazard ratio for disease progression/death of 0.05 (95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.65) versus patients with immunedepleted MET (disease control rate 29%). MET MHC-I status added an incremental value to predict durable ICI responses. Limitations include the partly retrospective design and the lack of MET multisampling on individual patient level. CONCLUSIONS: The TIME is subject to substantial dynamics during metastatic evolution. MET immunephenotypes and MHC-I statuses show promising potential to predict chemotherapy and durable ICI responses, while the PRIM TIME does not. Thus, future clinical trials should rather rely on pretreatment MET biopsies reflecting the current immunological disease state than on PRIM. PATIENT SUMMARY: Prediction of chemotherapy and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors might be possible using representative pretreatment metastatic biopsies.

Both radiographical and pathological lymph node statuses are independent predictors for survival following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy for cT3/4 or cN+ bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) with clinical suspicion of locally advanced growth or pelvic lymphogenic spread has a high risk of progression and death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bladder cancer patients with locally advanced (cT3/4) tumor growth or suspected pelvic lymphogenic spread (cN+) were treated with preoperative cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and consolidative cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. We aimed to identify prognostic factors and describe the patients' oncological outcome. RESULTS: A complete dataset including follow-up data was available for 96 patients. In a univariate analysis, we identified cN stage (cN+ vs cN-, HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-6.0), response to chemotherapy (HR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5), ypT stage (ypT0/is/1 vs ypT2-4, HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.8), ypN stage (ypN + vs ypN-, HR 7.9, 95% CI 3.7-17.0), resection status (HR 4.4, 95% CI HR 1.5-13.0) as significantly associated with cancer-specific survival. In a multivariate regression analysis, both cN and ypN statuses were validated as independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival (cN: HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.1; ypN: HR 5.5, 95% CI 2.0-15.1). DISCUSSION: Lymph node status was identified as a prognostic marker in a high-risk cohort of UBC patients treated with inductive chemotherapy and cystectomy. Establishing cN status as a prognosticator underlines the necessity to aggressively treat these patients despite reported impreciseness of imaging procedures in UCB. Patients with histologically positive lymph nodes following preoperative chemotherapy have a very poor prognosis, and thus, the need for adjuvant systemic treatment is emphasized. CONCLUSION: Both clinically and pathologically affected lymph nodes convey a poor prognosis in bladder cancer and necessitate aggressive treatment.

Cohort Study of Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer Patients: Oncological Outcomes of Patients Treated with Salvage Lymph Node Dissection via Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-radioguided Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In a subset of patients with recurrent oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa) salvage surgery with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioguidance (PSMA-RGS) might be of value. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the oncological outcomes of salvage PSMA-RGS and determine the predictive preoperative factors of improved outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cohort study of oligorecurrent PCa patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy and imaging with PSMA positron emission tomography (PET), treated with PSMA-RGS in two tertiary care centers (2014-2020), was conducted. INTERVENTION: PSMA-RGS. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess BCR-free (BFS) and therapy-free (TFS) survival. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 364 patients without concomitant treatment were assessed. At PSMA-RGS, metastatic soft-tissue PCa lesions were removed in 343 (94%) patients. At 2-16 wk after PSMA-RGS, 165 patients reached a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of <0.2 ng/ml. Within 3 mo, 24 (6.6%) patients suffered from Clavien-Dindo complications grade III-IV. At 2 yr, BFS and TFS rates were 32% and 58%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, higher preoperative PSA (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.12), higher number of PSMA-avid lesions (HR: 1.23, CI: 1.08-1.40), multiple (pelvic plus retroperitoneal) localizations (HR: 1.90, CI: 1.23-2.95), and retroperitoneal localization (HR: 2.04, CI: 1.31-3.18) of lesions in preoperative imaging were independent predictors of BCR after PSMA-RGS. The main limitation is the lack of a control group. CONCLUSIONS: As salvage surgery in oligorecurrent PCa currently constitutes an experimental treatment approach, careful patient selection is mandatory based on life expectancy, low PSA values, and low number of PSMA PET-avid lesions located in the pelvis. PATIENT SUMMARY: We looked at the outcomes from prostate cancer patients with recurrent disease after radical prostatectomy. We found that surgery may be an opportunity to prolong treatment-free survival, but patient selection criteria need to be very narrow.

Validation of 18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET Imaging Results with Histopathology from Salvage Surgery in Patients with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer.

18F-rhPSMA-7, and its single diastereoisomer form, 18F-rhPSMA-7.3, are prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting radiopharmaceuticals. Here, we investigated their accuracy for the assessment of lymph node (LN) metastases validated by histopathology. Methods: Data from 58 patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy receiving salvage surgery after PET imaging with 18F-rhPSMA-7 or 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 were retrospectively reviewed. Two nuclear medicine physicians reviewed all PET scans and morphologic imaging in consensus. Readers were masked from the results of histopathology. PET and morphologic imaging were correlated with histopathology from resected LNs. Results: In 75 of 150 resected regions in 54 of 58 patients, tumor lesions were present in histopathology. The template-based specificity of PET (18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 combined) and morphologic imaging was 93.3% and 100%, respectively. However, 18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET detected metastases in 61 of 75 histopathologically proven metastatic LN fields (81.3%) whereas morphologic imaging was positive in only 9 of 75 (12.0%). The positive predictive value was 92.4% for 18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET and 100% for morphologic imaging. 18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET performance was significantly superior to morphologic imaging (difference in the areas under the receiver-operating-characteristic curves, 0.222; 95% CI, 0.147-0.298; P < 0.001). The mean size of PET-positive and histologically confirmed LN metastases was 6.3 ± 3.1 mm (range, 2-15 mm) compared with a mean size of 9.8 ± 2.5 mm (range, 7-15 mm) on morphologic imaging. Conclusion: 18F-rhPSMA-7 and 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET offer a high positive predictive value comparable to that reported for 68Ga-PSMA-11 and represent a valuable tool for guiding salvage lymphadenectomy.

Utility of 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET for Imaging of Primary Prostate Cancer and Preoperative Efficacy in N-Staging of Unfavorable Intermediate- to Very High-Risk Patients Validated by Histopathology.

18F-rhPSMA-7.3, the lead compound of a new class of radiohybrid prostate-specific membrane antigen (rhPSMA) ligand, is currently in phase III trials for prostate cancer (PCa) imaging. Here, we describe our experience in primary PCa staging. Methods: We retrospectively identified 279 patients with primary PCa who underwent 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET/CT (staging cohort). A subset of patients (83/279) subsequently underwent prostatectomy with lymph node (LN) dissection without prior treatment (efficacy cohort). The distribution of tumor lesions was determined for the staging cohort and stratified by National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk score. Involvement of pelvic LNs was assessed retrospectively by 3 masked independent central readers, and a majority rule was used for analysis. Standard surgical fields were rated on a 5-point scale independently for PET and for morphologic imaging. Results were compared with histopathologic findings on a patient, right-vs.-left, and template basis. Results: For the staging cohort, 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET was positive in 275 of 279 (98.6%), 106 of 279 (38.0%), 46 of 279 (16.5%), 65 of 279 (23.3%), and 5 of 279 (1.8%) patients for local, pelvic nodal, extrapelvic nodal, metastatic bone, and visceral metastatic disease, respectively. In the efficacy cohort, LN metastases were present in 24 of 83 patients (29%) and were located in 48 of 420 (11%) resected templates and in 33 of 166 (19.9%) hemipelvic templates in histopathology. The majority vote results showed that patient-level sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for pelvic nodal metastases were 66.7% (95% CI, 44.7%-83.6%), 96.6% (95% CI, 87.3%-99.4%), and 88.0% (95% CI, 78.5%-93.8%), respectively, for 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET and 37.5% (95% CI, 19.6%-59.2%), 91.5% (95% CI, 80.6%-96.8%), and 75.9% (95% CI, 65.0%-84.3%), respectively, for morphologic imaging. 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 showed higher interobserver agreement than morphologic imaging (patient-level Fleiss κ = 0.54 [95% CI, 0.47-0.62] vs. 0.24 [95% CI, 0.17-0.31]). A mean SUV ratio of 6.6 (95% CI, 5.2-8.1) documented a high image contrast between local tumors and adjacent low urinary tracer retention. Conclusion: 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET offers diagnostic performance superior to morphologic imaging for primary N-staging of newly diagnosed PCa, shows lower interreader variation, and offers good distinction between primary-tumor activity and bladder background activity. With increasing National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group, an increasing frequency of extraprostatic tumor lesions was observed.

Evaluation of Pre-operative Biopsy, Surgical Procedures and Oncologic Outcomes in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC).

Purpose: Discordance between pre-operative biopsy and final pathology for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC) is high and optimal management remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of pre-operative biopsy, to identify prognostic factors and to evaluate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival and oncologic outcome in UTUC. Methods: We analyzed records of patients receiving surgical treatment for UTUC. Pathology of pre-operative biopsy was compared to surgical specimen. We used Kaplan-Meier method to estimate survival probabilities and Cox's proportional hazards models to estimate the association between covariates and event times. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). A matched-pair analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: 151 patients underwent surgical treatment (28% open, 36% laparoscopic, 17% robotic radical nephroureterectomy; 14% segmental ureteral resections and 5% palliative nephrectomy) for UTUC and were included in the analysis. Upstaging from

Assessment of Clinical and Laboratory Use of the Cutaneous Direct Immunofluorescence Assay.

IMPORTANCE: Dermatologists submit direct immunofluorescence (DIF) biopsies on a daily basis, using an assay detecting immunoreactant deposition with a panel that has traditionally comprised immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM, C3, and fibrin, with or without albumin antibodies. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the frequency of immunoreactants in DIF biopsies submitted over an 8-year period and assess use by dermatologists based on clinical impression. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A quality improvement study was conducted in a community outreach reference laboratory associated with a large academic medical center. Results of 2050 consecutive DIF skin biopsies submitted to the laboratory between April 1, 2012, and June 12, 2020, were analyzed by final pathologic diagnosis and antibody subtype positivity, in comparison with clinical impression. Biopsies in which the submitting physician had not performed the biopsy were excluded. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Histopathologic findings and the results of DIF biopsies using the standard 6-antibody panel were evaluated in correlation with the submitted clinical diagnosis to assess immunoreactivity of the assay. RESULTS: Of 2050 DIF biopsies submitted, 367 (17.9%) were positive; IgG, IgA, and C3 alone identified all primary immunobullous disease cases (pemphigoid, pemphigus, linear IgA, and dermatitis herpetiformis), and IgA, C3, and fibrin antibodies alone identified all vasculitis cases. A panel of IgG, IgA, IgM, and fibrin identified all cases of lupus erythematosus. DIF results were positive in less than half of cases of hematoxylin and eosin biopsy-confirmed lupus erythematosus (23 of 47 [49%]). A total of 247 biopsies were submitted for clinical diagnoses not optimally supported on DIF: lichen planus, porphyria, and connective tissue disease. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this study suggest that there is a knowledge gap among dermatologists relating to the opportunity for high-value, cost-conscious use of DIF. The practice of reflexive antibody testing using a 6-antibody panel for all DIF biopsies is likely unnecessary. DIF protocols tailored to the clinical diagnosis may enhance cost-effectiveness without loss of test sensitivity or specificity.

28-Day oral (gavage) and 13-week (dietary) toxicity studies of DHA canola oil and DHA canola meal in rats.

Omega-3 (ω3) fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fats. Two of the ω3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, ω3, 20:5Δ5,8,11,14,17) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, ω3, 22:6Δ4,7,10,13,16,19) are sourced primarily from fish. Higher consumption, limited fishing quotas and other environmental factors (e.g., heavy metals) have warranted a need for alternative sources. Nuseed offers a genetically engineered canola (Brassica napus) event,1 DHA canola (OECD Unique Identifier NS-B5ØØ27-4), which has been modified to introduce a pathway for production of the ω3 LC-PUFAs DHA and EPA from oleic acid (OA) in the seed oil. To accomplish this, genes were sourced from marine microalgae and common yeast then incorporated into canola to produce DHA canola, one of the first land-based production systems for ω 3 PUFAs. Safety was evaluated in part by conducting a repeated dose 28-day toxicity study and a dietary 13-week toxicity study using CD® IGS [Crl:CD(SD)] rats. In the 28-day study, conventional and DHA canola oil were administered orally (via gavage); no treatment-related adverse effects were observed. The 13-week toxicity study was subsequently conducted where DHA canola oil and meal were administered by dietary admixture. No adverse effects were noted in clinical observations, clinical pathology, or histopathology. These studies support the food and feed safety of DHA canola oil and meal.

PSMA-ligand uptake can serve as a novel biomarker in primary prostate cancer to predict outcome after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a relevant target in prostate cancer, and immunohistochemistry studies showed associations with outcome. PSMA-ligand positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly used for primary prostate cancer staging, and the molecular imaging TNM classification (miTNM) standardizes its reporting. We aimed to investigate the potential of PET-imaging to serve as a noninvasive imaging biomarker to predict disease outcome in primary prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, 186 primary prostate cancer patients treated with RP who had undergone a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET up to three months prior to the surgery were included. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, tumor volume (TV) and total lesion (TL) were collected from PET-imaging. Moreover, clinicopathological information, including age, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and pathological characteristics, was assessed for disease outcome prediction. A stage group system for PET-imaging findings based on the miTNM framework was developed. RESULTS: At a median follow-up after RP of 38 months (interquartile range (IQR) 22-53), biochemical recurrence (BCR) was observed in 58 patients during the follow-up period. A significant association between a positive surgical margin and miN status (miN1 vs. miN0, odds ratio (OR): 5.428, p = 0.004) was detected. miT status (miT ≥ 3a vs. miT < 3, OR: 2.696, p = 0.003) was identified as an independent predictor for Gleason score (GS) ≥ 8. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that PSA level (hazard ratio (HR): 1.024, p = 0.014), advanced GS (GS ≥ 8 vs. GS < 8, HR: 3.253, p < 0.001) and miT status (miT ≥ 3a vs. miT < 3, HR: 1.941, p = 0.035) were independent predictors for BCR. For stage I disease as determined by PET-imaging, a shorter BCR-free survival was observed in the patients with higher SUVmax (IA vs. IB stage, log-rank, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Preoperative miTNM classification from 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET correlates with postoperative GS, surgical margin status and time to BCR. The association between miTNM staging and outcome proposes 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET as a novel non-invasive imaging biomarker and potentially serves for ancillary pre-treatment stratification.

Detection efficacy of 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET/CT and impact on patient management in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy and prior to potential salvage treatment.

Purpose: Radiohybrid prostate-specific membrane antigen (rhPSMA) ligands are a new class of 18F-labeled PSMA-targeting agents. 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 is a lead compound which is currently under investigation in two multicenter phase III trials for PET-imaging. Here, we report the first retrospective data on its detection efficacy and potential impact on clinical management in a homogeneous cohort of patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, and prior to any salvage therapy. Methods: 242 patients (median [range] PSA, 0.60 [0.2-60.8] ng/mL) who underwent 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET/CT were retrospectively selected from the institutions' database. Images were re-read by an experienced nuclear medicine physician. Lesion detection rates were stratified by PSA. Further, potential management before and after PET was assessed by an interdisciplinary simulated tumor board and categorized (major vs. minor vs. no therapeutic change). The distribution of management change identified in each PSA subgroup was determined. Results: In total, 176/242 (72.7%) patients showed PSMA-ligand positive findings. 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 detection rates were 61.8% (63/102), 67.9% (38/56), 81.1% (30/37) and 95.7% (45/47) for PSA-levels of 0.2-<0.5 ng/mL, 0.5-<1 ng/mL, 1-<2 ng/mL and ≥2 ng/mL, respectively. 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET/CT revealed local recurrence, pelvic lymph node metastases, retroperitoneal lymph nodes metastases, supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes, bone metastases, and visceral metastases in 48.8% (n = 118), 28.9% (n = 70), 6.6% (n = 16), 1.2% (n = 3), 13.2% (n = 32) and 1.2% (n = 3) of patients, respectively. Notably, bone lesions were identified in 8.8% of patients (9/102) with PSA <0.5 ng/mL. Results from the interdisciplinary simulated tumor board indicated change of therapeutic management in 153/242 patients (63.2%) with 54/242 (22.3%) considered major and 99/242 (40.9%) minor, respectively. 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET/CT did not prompt any therapeutic changes in 64/242 patients (26.4%). Conclusion: 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 PET offers high detection efficacy in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, and prior to potential salvage therapy, and results in a potential change in treatment plans in nearly 2/3 of patients. Keywords: Biochemical recurrence; hybrid imaging; positron emission tomography; prostate cancer; prostate-specific membrane antigen.

Regional Lymph Node Metastasis on Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography Correlates with Decreased Biochemical Recurrence-Free and Therapy-Free Survival after Radical Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Single-Center Single-Arm Observational Study.

PURPOSE: We sought to address the impact of preoperative prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) findings prior to radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection on biochemical recurrence and time to adjuvant or salvage treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2017, 64 intermediate and 166 high risk (230) prostate cancer patients received 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET followed by radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Biochemical recurrence-free and therapy-free survivalwere determined. For all time-to-event analyses, univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and univariable Kaplan-Meier analyses were applied, with a significance threshold of p <0.05. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PSMA PET for pN1 disease was 48.5%, 95.7%, 82.1% and 82.2%, respectively. Median followup was 30.2 months. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 50.4% (116) of patients and adjuvant or salvage treatment was performed in 46.5% (107). Worst biochemical recurrence-free and therapy-free survival was observed in pN1 patients who also exhibited PSMA PET positive lymph node, followed by pN1 patients without PSMA PET positive lymph node and patients without evidence of lymph node metastasis on histology and PSMA PET (median biochemical recurrence-free survival 1.7 vs. 7.5 vs. >36 months, median therapy-free survival 2.6 vs. 8.9 vs. >36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with positive lymph node on PSMA PET prior to radical prostatectomy have to expect early biochemical recurrence and adjuvant/salvage therapy, despite thorough pelvic lymph node dissection. Therefore, results from PSMA PET can be used for patients' consultation and more stringent followup as well as for planning of neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy.

Outcomes of palliative cystectomy in patients with locally advanced pT4 bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (Cx) is the standard of care for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCa). In locally advanced pT4 BCa the oncologic outcome is inexplicit but Cx may be necessary for palliation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of Cx performed in patients with locally advanced pT4 BCa and to identify patient subgroups with improved outcome. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2017, we identified 76 of 905 patients who underwent Cx for pT4 BCa at a single tertiary referral center. The physical patients' status was estimated according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification. For the classification of postoperative complication rates, the Clavien-Dindo grading was used. Time-to-event variables with log-rank statistics were calculated with the use of the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median age was 74 years (range 42-90). Preoperatively, the physical status was estimated poor in 40 (52%) patients (ASA-score of ≥3). Overall, 19 (25%) patients had pT4b BCa, 41 (54%) patients were lymph node positive (c/pN+) and 14 (18%) patients had distant metastases (c/pM+). Within 30 and 90 days after surgery, 21% and 30% of the patients, respectively, developed severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3). Overall, 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 9% and 11%, respectively. Moreover, 86% and 75% of patients who died within 30 and 90 days after surgery, respectively, had an ASA-score ≥3. At a median postoperative follow-up of 8 months (range 0-85), 53 (70%) patients have died. During the follow-up period, 46% of the patients died due to progressive disease, 16% died of a noncancer-specific cause, and for 8% of the patients, the reason remains unknown. Median overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival were 13.0 and 16.0 months, respectively. In subgroup analyses ASA-score ≥3 and hemoglobin <11.7 g/dl was significantly associated with poor OS. No statistically significant differences were detected between subgroups. CONCLUSION: Cx performed in patients with locally advanced pT4 BCa is associated with an increased mortality rate within 90 days postoperatively. Our study revealed that the ASA-score is a relevant and easily available tool to rate the patient´s condition and estimate postoperative outcome.

Salvage Surgery in Patients with Local Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, isolated local recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) can be delineated accurately. OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate surgical technique, biochemical response, and therapy-free survival (TFS) after salvage surgery in patients with local recurrence in the seminal vesicle bed. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We retrospectively assessed 40 patients treated with open salvage surgery in two centres (11/2014-02/2020). All patients presented with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RP with a singular local recurrence at PSMA PET imaging. Thirty-three (82.5%) patients received previous salvage radiation therapy. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: Open salvage surgery with PSMA radioguidance. MEASUREMENTS: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir and percentage of patients with complete biochemical response (cBR) without further treatment (PSA < 0.2 ng/ml) after 6-16 wk were assessed. BCR-free survival and TFS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Clavien-Dindo complications were evaluated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Prior to salvage surgery, median PSA was 0.9 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.5-1.7 ng/ml). Postoperatively, median PSA nadir was 0.1 ng/ml (IQR: 0-0.4 ng/ml). In 31 (77.5%) patients, cBR was observed. During the median follow-up of 24.4 months, 22 (55.0%) patients experienced BCR and 12 (30.0%) received further therapy. At 1 yr of follow-up, BCR-free survival rate was 62.2% and TFS rate was 88.3%. Three (7.5%) Clavien-Dindo grade III complications were observed. The main limitations are the retrospective design, short follow-up, and lack of a control group. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage surgery of local recurrence within the seminal vesicle bed is feasible. It may present an opportunity in selected, locally recurrent patients to prolong BCR-free survival and increase TFS. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings. PATIENT SUMMARY: We looked at the outcomes from prostate cancer patients with locally recurrent disease after radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy. We found that surgery in well-selected patients may be an opportunity to prolong treatment-free survival.