Retrospective analysis of the perioperative outcome in living donor kidney transplantation with multiple renal arteries: does accessory vessel ligation affect the outcome?

PURPOSE: Accurate surgical reconstruction of arterial vascular supply is a crucial part of living kidney transplantation (LDKT). The presence of multiple renal arteries (MRA) in grafts can be challenging. In the present study, we investigated the impact of ligation versus anastomosis of small accessory graft arteries on the perioperative outcome. METHODS: Clinical and radiological outcomes of 51 patients with MRA out of a total of 308 patients who underwent LDKT with MRA between 2011 and 2020 were stratified in two groups and analyzed. In group 1 (20 patients), ligation of accessory arteries (ARAs) and group 2 (31 patients) anastomosis of ARAs was performed. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the anastomosis-, surgery-, and warm ischemia time (WIT) in favor of group 1. Students t-test showed comparable serum creatinine levels of 2.33 (± 1.75) to 1.68 (± 0.83) mg/dL in group 1 and 2.63 (± 2.47) to 1.50 (± 0.41) mg/dL in group 2, were seen from 1 week to 1 year after transplant. No increased rates of Delayed graft function (DGF), primary transplant dysfunction and transplant rejection were seen, but graft loss and revision rates were slightly higher when the ARAs were ligated. Analysis of Doppler sonography revealed that segmental perfusion deficits tend to regenerate during the clinical course. CONCLUSION: Ligation of smaller accessory renal arteries may not affect the outcome of living kidney transplantation, except for a minor increase in the reoperation rate. Segmental perfusion deficits of the graft seem to regenerate in most cases as seen in Doppler sonography.

Transplant nephrectomy: indication, surgical approach and complications-experiences from a single transplantation center.

PURPOSE: Management of a failed kidney allograft, and the question whether it should be removed is a challenging task for clinicians. The reported risks for transplant nephrectomy (TN) vary, and there is no clear recommendation on indications or surgical approach that should be used. This study gives an overview of indications, compares surgical techniques, and identifies risk factors for higher morbidity. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on all transplant nephrectomies performed between 2005 and 2020 at Charité Hospital Berlin, Department of Urology. Patient demographics, laboratory parameters, graft survival data, indication for TN, and surgical complications were extracted from medical reports. RESULTS: A total of 195 TN were performed, with graft intolerance syndrome being the most common indication in 52 patients (26.7%), acute rejection in 36 (18.5%), acute infection in 30 (15.4%), and other reasons to stop immunosuppression in 26 patients (13.3%). Rare indications were vascular complications in 16 (8.2%) and malignancies in the allograft in six (3.1%) cases. Extracapsular surgical approach was significantly more often used in cases of vascular complications and earlier allograft removal, but there was no difference in complication rates between extra- and intracapsular approach. Acute infection was identified as an independent risk factor for a complication grade IIIb or higher according to Clavien-Dindo classification, with a HR of 12.3 (CI 2.2-67.7; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Transplant nephrectomy should only be performed when there is a good indication, and non-elective surgery should be avoided, when possible, as it increases morbidity.

PD-L1 expression in tumor and inflammatory cells is associated with favorable tumor features and favorable prognosis in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder not treated by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: A high level of PD-L1 expression is the most relevant predictive parameter for response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy in urinary bladder cancer. Existing data on the relationship between PD-L1 expression and the natural course of disease are controversial and sparse. METHODS: To expand our understanding of the relationship between PD-L1 expression and parameters of cancer aggressiveness, PD-L1 was analyzed on tissue microarrays containing 2710 urothelial bladder carcinomas including 512 patients with follow-up data who underwent radical cystectomy and follow-up therapies in the pre-immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy era. RESULTS: Tumor cell positivity in ≥10% of cells were seen in 513 (20%) and an immune cell positivity occurred in 872 (34%) of 2566 interpretable cancers. PD-L1 positivity in tumor cells increased from pTaG2 low grade (0.9% positive) to pTaG3 high grade (4.1%; p = 0.0255) and was even higher in muscle-invasive (pT2-4) carcinomas (29.3%; p < 0.0001). However, within pT2-4 carcinomas, PD-L1 positivity was linked to low pT stage (p = 0.0028), pN0 (p < 0.0001), L0 status (p = 0.0005), and a better prognosis within 512 patients with cystectomy who never received CPIs (p = 0.0073 for tumor cells and p = 0.0086 for inflammatory cells). PD-L1 staining in inflammatory cells was significantly linked to PD-L1 staining in tumor cells (p < 0.0001) and both were linked to a positive p53 immunostaining (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It cannot be fully excluded that the strong statistical link between PD-L1 status and favorable histological tumor features as well as better prognosis could influence the outcome of studies evaluating CPIs in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma.

Discordant Health Implications and Molecular Mechanisms of Vitamin D in Clinical and Preclinical Studies of Prostate Cancer: A Critical Appraisal of the Literature Data.

Clinical and preclinical studies have provided conflicting data on the postulated beneficial effects of vitamin D in patients with prostate cancer. In this opinion piece, we discuss reasons for discrepancies between preclinical and clinical vitamin D studies. Different criteria have been used as evidence for the key roles of vitamin D. Clinical studies report integrative cancer outcome criteria such as incidence and mortality in relation to vitamin D status over time. In contrast, preclinical vitamin D studies report molecular and cellular changes resulting from treatment with the biologically active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) in tissues. However, these reported changes in preclinical in vitro studies are often the result of treatment with biologically irrelevant high calcitriol concentrations. In typical experiments, the used calcitriol concentrations exceed the calcitriol concentrations in normal and malignant prostate tissue by 100 to 1000 times. This raises reasonable concerns regarding the postulated biological effects and mechanisms of these preclinical vitamin D approaches in relation to clinical relevance. This is not restricted to prostate cancer, as detailed data regarding the tissue-specific concentrations of vitamin D metabolites are currently lacking. The application of unnaturally high concentrations of calcitriol in preclinical studies appears to be a major reason why the results of preclinical in vitro studies hardly match up with outcomes of vitamin D-related clinical studies. Regarding future studies addressing these concerns, we suggest establishing reference ranges of tissue-specific vitamin D metabolites within various cancer entities, carrying out model studies on human cancer cells and patient-derived organoids with biologically relevant calcitriol concentrations, and lastly improving the design of vitamin D clinical trials where results from preclinical studies guide the protocols and endpoints within these trials.

Is a Retroaortic Vein a Risk Factor in Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomy?

INTRODUCTION: In living donor transplantation choosing the right donor and donor side for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a challenging task in clinical practice. Knowledge about anomalies in renal blood supply are crucial to evaluate the feasibility of the operative procedure. Few data so far exist whether the existence of a retroaortic left renal vein has an impact on living kidney transplantation outcome for donor and recipient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 221 patients who underwent laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy between 2011 and 2017 for existence of a retroaortic left renal vein. Clinical characteristics and operative outcomes for donors and recipients were analyzed. RESULTS: 221 patients underwent donor nephrectomy between 2011 and 2017; 11 patients (4.98%) showed the feature of a retroaortic left renal vein, and in 8 patients (72.7%) out of those 11 the left kidney was chosen for transplantation. Mean preoperative serum creatinine was 0.77 (0.49-0.98) mg/dL and 1.28 (0.97-1.64) mg/dL at discharge. In recipients mean serum creatinine preoperatively, after 1 week, 1 month,1 year, 2 and 3 years of follow-up was 10.36 (6.09-20.77) mg/dL, 1.71 (0.67-2.72), 1.33 (0.70-1.89), 1.31 (0.95-2.13), 1.31 (0.98-2.13) and 1.33 (1.03-1.84), respectively. Neither donors nor recipients suffered from any operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy of a left kidney with retroaortic renal vein is safe for the donor, without limitation in the outcome for the recipient.

Circular RNAs and Their Linear Transcripts as Diagnostic and Prognostic Tissue Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer after Prostatectomy in Combination with Clinicopathological Factors.

As new biomarkers, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been largely unexplored in prostate cancer (PCa). Using an integrative approach, we aimed to evaluate the potential of circRNAs and their linear transcripts (linRNAs) to act as (i) diagnostic biomarkers for differentiation between normal and tumor tissue and (ii) prognostic biomarkers for the prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy. In a first step, eight circRNAs (circATXN10, circCRIM1, circCSNK1G3, circGUCY1A2, circLPP, circNEAT1, circRHOBTB3, and circSTIL) were identified as differentially expressed via a genome-wide circRNA-based microarray analysis of six PCa samples. Additional bioinformatics and literature data were applied for this selection process. In total, 115 malignant PCa and 79 adjacent normal tissue samples were examined using robust RT-qPCR assays specifically established for the circRNAs and their linear counterparts. Their diagnostic and prognostic potential was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, Cox regressions, decision curve analyses, and C-statistic calculations of prognostic indices. The combination of circATXN10 and linSTIL showed a high discriminative ability between malignant and adjacent normal tissue PCa. The combination of linGUCY1A2, linNEAT1, and linSTIL proved to be the best predictive RNA-signature for BCR. The combination of this RNA signature with five established reference models based on only clinicopathological factors resulted in an improved predictive accuracy for BCR in these models. This is an encouraging study for PCa to evaluate circRNAs and their linRNAs in an integrative approach, and the results showed their clinical potential in combination with standard clinicopathological variables.

Assessment of the extracellular volume fraction for the grading of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: first results and histopathological findings.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the potential of T1 mapping-based extracellular volume fraction (ECV) for the identification of higher grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC), based on histopathology as the reference standard. METHODS: For this single-center, institutional review board-approved prospective study, 27 patients (17 men, median age 62 ± 12.4 years) with pathologic diagnosis of cRCC (nucleolar International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading) received abdominal MRI scans at 1.5 T using a modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence between January 2017 and June 2018. Quantitative T1 values were measured at different time points (pre- and postcontrast agent administration) and quantification of the ECV was performed on MRI and histological sections (H&E staining). RESULTS: Reduction in T1 value after contrast agent administration and MR-derived ECV were reliable predictors for differentiating higher from lower grade cRCC. Postcontrast T1diff values (T1diff = T1 difference between the native and nephrogenic phase) and MR-derived ECV were significantly higher for higher grade cRCC (ISUP grades 3-4) compared with lower grade cRCC (ISUP grades 1-2) (p < 0.001). A cutoff value of 700 ms could distinguish higher grade from lower grade tumors with 100% (95% CI 0.69-1.00) sensitivity and 82% (95% CI 0.57-0.96) specificity. There was a positive and strong correlation between MR-derived ECV and histological ECV (p < 0.01, r = 0.88). Interobserver agreement for quantitative longitudinal relaxation times in the T1 maps was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: T1 mapping with ECV measurement could represent a novel in vivo biomarker for the classification of cRCC regarding their nucleolar grade, providing incremental diagnostic value as a quantitative MR marker. KEY POINTS: • Reduction in MRI T1 relaxation times after contrast agent administration and MR-derived extracellular volume fraction are useful parameters for grading of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC). • T1 differences between the native and the nephrogenic phase are higher for higher grade cRCC compared with lower grade cRCC and MRI-derived extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and histological ECV show a strong correlation. • T1 mapping with ECV measurement may be helpful for the noninvasive assessment of cRCC pathology, being a safe and feasible method, and it has potential to optimize individualized treatment options, e.g., in the decision of active surveillance.

Correction to: Outcome of kidney function after ischaemic and zero-ischaemic laparoscopic and open nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell cancer.

Following publication.

Outcome of kidney function after ischaemic and zero-ischaemic laparoscopic and open nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) remains gold standard for the treatment of localised renal cell cancer (RCC), even in case of a normal contralateral kidney. Compared to radical nephrectomy, kidney failure and cardiovascular events are less frequent with NSS. However, the effects of different surgical approaches and of zero ischaemia on the postoperative reduction in renal function remain controversial. We aimed to investigate the relative short- and long-term changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after ischaemic or zero-ischaemic open (ONSS) and laparoscopic NSS (LNSS) for RCC, and to analyse prognostic factors for postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage ≥3. METHODS: Data of 444 patients (211 LNSS, 233 ONSS), including 57 zero-ischaemic cases, were retrospectively analysed. Multiple regression models were used to predict relative changes in renal function. Natural cubic splines were used to demonstrate the association between ischaemia time (IT) and relative changes in renal function. RESULTS: IT was identified as significant risk factor for short-term relative changes in eGFR (ß = - 0.27) and development of AKI (OR, 1.02), but no effect was found on long-term relative changes in eGFR. Natural cubic splines revealed that IT had a greater effect on patients with baseline eGFR categories ≥G3 concerning short-term decrease in renal function and development of AKI. Unlike LNSS, ONSS was significantly associated with short-term decrease in renal function (ß = - 13.48) and development of AKI (OR, 3.87). Tumour diameter was associated with long-term decrease in renal function (ß = - 1.76), whereas baseline eGFR was a prognostic factor for both short- (ß = - 0.20) and long-term (ß = - 0.29) relative changes in eGFR and the development of CKD stage ≥3 (OR, 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: IT is a significant risk factor for AKI. The short-term effect of IT is not always linear, and the impact also depends on baseline eGFR. Unlike LNSS, ONSS is associated with the development of AKI. Our findings are helpful for surgical planning, and suggest either the application of a clampless NSS technique or at least the shortest possible IT to reduce the risk of short-time impairment of the renal function, which might prevent AKI, particularly regarding patients with baseline eGFR category ≥G3.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Expression in the Vasculature of Renal Tumors: Implications for Imaging Studies and Prognostic Role.

PURPOSE: Prostate specific membrane antigen is expressed by the endothelium of many tumors. The aim of the study was to find a rationale for prostate specific membrane antigen based imaging and investigate the prognostic role of vascular prostate specific membrane antigen expression in patients with renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 257 patients with renal cell carcinoma were included in study with a median followup exceeding 10.0 years. Prostate specific membrane antigen expression on tumor vessels was detected by immunohistochemistry. Vascular expression of FOLH1 gene (prostate specific membrane antigen) mRNA was investigated in clear cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma using TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) data. RESULTS: Endothelial prostate specific membrane antigen protein expression was higher in clear cell than in papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Higher grade and stage, metastatic and lethal clear cell renal cell carcinoma showed higher prostate specific membrane antigen expression in tumor vessels. On univariate and multivariate analysis the intensity of positive vs negative endothelial prostate specific membrane antigen protein expression was significantly associated with overall survival. TCGA based analyses confirmed the prognostic role of vascular expression of FOLH1 mRNA. The analyses also supported the usefulness of prostate specific membrane antigen based imaging in cases of clear cell but not papillary renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a rationale for further development of prostate specific membrane antigen targeted imaging in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The prognostic role of prostate specific membrane antigen was determined at the protein level in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and at the mRNA level in clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Circular RNAs: a new class of biomarkers as a rising interest in laboratory medicine.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a distinct family of RNAs derived from the non-regular process of alternative splicing. CircRNAs have recently gained interest in transcriptome research due to their potential regulatory functions during gene expression. CircRNAs can act as microRNA sponges and affect transcription through their complex involvement in regular transcriptional processes. Some early studies also suggested significant roles for circRNAs in human diseases, especially cancer, as biomarkers and potential clinical targets. Therefore, there is a great need for laboratory scientists to translate these findings into clinical tools to advance testing for human diseases. To facilitate a better understanding of the promise of circRNAs, we focus this review on selected basic aspects of circRNA research, specifically biogenesis, function, analytical issues regarding identification and validation and examples of expression data in relation to human diseases. We further emphasize the unique challenges facing laboratory medicine with regard to circRNA research, particularly in the development of robust assays for circRNA detection in different body fluids and the need to collaborate with clinicians in the design of clinical studies.

Influences of Surgical Volume on Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes Following Radical Prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the number of radical prostatectomies per hospital per year is associated with stage distribution, surgical techniques or quality related outcome in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A German Internet-based database was analyzed. Hospitals were categorized according to their yearly radical prostatectomy (RP) volume. Patient's characteristics, RP techniques, and outcome-related parameters were compared between the different hospital volume categories. RESULTS: A total of 6,447 patients were analyzed. The highest rate of organ-confined disease and the lowest rate of extracapsular invasion have been demonstrated in very low-volume centres (72.6%

Retrospective Analysis of Fifth-Line Targeted Therapy Efficacy in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Current evidence of sequence-targeted therapy (TT) for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) beyond fourth-line is sparse. The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and toxicity of fifth-line TT in patients with mRCC. METHODS: Out of 406 patients treated in first-line, 25 patients (6.16%) with more than 4 lines of TT were retrospectively reviewed at a German academic high-volume cancer center. Response was assessed by the use of standard Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0, and toxicity was graded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to explore predictors of PFS and OS in univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Disease control rate for fifth-line treatment was 20%. Median OS from the beginning of first-line therapy was 50.2 months (IQR (interquartile range) 38.9-76.7). Median OS from the time of initiation of fifth-line therapy was 6.2 months (IQR 3.1-23.8). Median PFS for fifth-line TT was 4.1 months (IQR 1.81-9.07) and did not correlate to treatment response in first-line TT. CONCLUSIONS: Highly selected patients might benefit from fifth-line treatment independently from treatment response in first-line TT.

Prevalence of Late-Onset Hypogonadism in Men with Localized and Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue is a common symptom in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and can be similar to the fatigue found in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of LOH in patients with localized RCC (loRCC) and metastatic RCC (mRCC) disease under targeted therapy (TT) and compare the results to findings of epidemiologic studies. METHODS: A total of 51 mRCC patients under TT and 33 patients with loRCC undergoing nephrectomy were included. Total testosterone (tT) levels and clinical signs of LOH were recorded (testicular volume, body-mass index (BMI), hip-to-waist ratio, International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF-5, Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male, ADAM, and quality of life questionnaire-C30). LOH was defined according to current guidelines. RESULTS: Morning tT and calculated free testosterone levels showed no significant difference in patients with mRCC and loRCC (p = 0.551 and p = 0.430). A significant difference was found for clinical signs and symptoms including the ADAM score (p = 0.003), hip-to-waist ratio (p = 0.017) and testicular volume (p < 0.001). IIEF-5 score and BMI were not significantly different. The prevalence of LOH according to the current EAU definition was 13.7 and 15.2% for the mRCC and loRCC cohort, respectively (p = 0.302). CONCLUSIONS: LOH was present in a significant proportion of RCC patients. Prevalence rates of LOH were higher in patients with RCC compared to patients without cancer.

Efficacy of fourth-line targeted therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence for sequencing targeted therapy (TT) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) beyond third line is limited. Treatment decisions for these sequence options are largely based on individual preferences and experience. The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and toxicity of fourth-line TT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with fourth-line TT for mRCC after failure of previous treatment lines at a German academic high-volume center. Out of 406 patients treated in first line, 56 patients (14.8 %) were identified with more than three lines of TT. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to explore predictors of PFS and OS in uni- and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: For the fourth-line treatment, disease control rate was 35.7 %. Median OS from beginning of first-line therapy was 47.4 months (IQR 31.0-76.5). Primary resistance at first-line TT, metastatic disease at initial diagnosis and an intermediate MSKCC score were independent predictors of shorter OS from start of first-line TT. Median OS from the time of initiation of fourth-line therapy was 10.5 months (IQR 5.6-22.6). The corresponding median PFS for fourth-line TT was 3.2 months (IQR 1.6-8.0) and was not correlated with treatment response in first-line TT. The rate of toxicity-induced treatment termination was 16.1 %. Limitations are the retrospective and unicentric design with a limited number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients might benefit from subsequent treatment lines independently from treatment response in first line.

Prostate-specific antigen and other serum and urine markers in prostate cancer.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is one of the most widely used tumor markers, and strongly correlates with the risk of harboring from prostate cancer (PCa). This risk is visible already several years in advance but PSA has severe limitations for PCa detection with its low specificity and low negative predictive value. There is an urgent need for new biomarkers especially to detect clinically significant and aggressive PCa. From all PSA-based markers, the FDA-approved Prostate Health Index (phi) shows improved specificity over percent free and total PSA. Other serum kallikreins or sarcosine in serum or urine show more diverging data. In urine, the FDA-approved prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) has also proven its utility in the detection and management of early PCa. However, some aspects on its correlation with aggressiveness and the low sensitivity at very high values have to be re-examined. The detection of a fusion of the androgen regulated TMPRSS2 gene with the ERG oncogene (from the ETS family), which acts as transcription factor gene, in tissue of ~50% of all PCa patients was one milestone in PCa research. When combining the urinary assays for TMPRSS2:ERG and PCA3, an improved accuracy for PCa detection is visible. PCA3 and phi as the best available PCa biomarkers show an equal performance in direct comparisons.

Current biomarkers for diagnosing of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is mostly detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as one of the most widely used tumor markers. But PSA is limited with its low specificity. The prostate health index (phi) can improve specificity over percent free and total PSA and correlates with aggressive cancer. The urinary PCA3 also shows its utility to detect PCa but its correlation with aggressiveness and the low sensitivity at high values are limitations. While the detection of alterations of the androgen-regulated TMPRSS2 and ETS transcription factor genes in tissue of ˜50% of all PCa patients was one research milestone, the urinary assay should only be used in combination with PCA3. Both US FDA-approved markers phi and PCA3 perform equally.

Nucleic acid-based biomarkers in body fluids of patients with urologic malignancies.

This review focuses on the promising potential of nucleic acids in body fluids such as blood and urine as diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and monitoring biomarkers in urologic malignancies. The tremendous progress in the basic knowledge of molecular processes in cancer, as shown in the companion review on nucleic acid-based biomarkers in tissue of urologic tumors, provides a strong rationale for using these molecular changes as non-invasive markers in body fluids. The changes observed in body fluids are an integrative result, reflecting both tissue changes and processes occurring in the body fluids. The availability of sensitive methods has only recently made possible detailed studies of DNA- and RNA-based markers in body fluids. In addition to these biological aspects, methodological aspects of the determination of nucleic acids in body fluids, i.e. pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical issues, are particularly emphasized. The characteristic changes of RNA (differential mRNA and miRNA expression) and DNA (concentrations, integrity index, mutations, microsatellite and methylation alterations) in serum/plasma and urine samples of patients suffering from the essential urologic cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney and testis are summarized and critically discussed below. To translate the promising results into clinical practice, laboratory scientists and clinicians have to collaborate to resolve the challenges of harmonized and feasible pre-analytical and analytical conditions for the selected markers and to validate these markers in well-designed and sufficiently powered multi-center studies.

Nucleic acid-based tissue biomarkers of urologic malignancies.

Molecular biomarkers play an important role in the clinical management of cancer patients. Biomarkers allow estimation of the risk of developing cancer; help to diagnose a tumor, ideally at an early stage when cure is still possible; and aid in monitoring disease progression. Furthermore, they hold the potential to predict the outcome of the disease (prognostic biomarkers) and the response to therapy (predictive biomarkers). Altogether, biomarkers will help to avoid tumor-related deaths and reduce overtreatment, and will contribute to increased survival and quality of life in cancer patients due to personalized treatments. It is well established that the process of carcinogenesis is a complex interplay between genomic predisposition, acquired somatic mutations, epigenetic changes and genomic aberrations. Within this complex interplay, nucleic acids, i.e. RNA and DNA, play a fundamental role and therefore represent ideal candidates for biomarkers. They are particularly promising candidates because sequence-specific hybridization and amplification technologies allow highly accurate and sensitive assessment of these biomarker levels over a broad dynamic range. This article provides an overview of nucleic acid-based biomarkers in tissues for the management of urologic malignancies, i.e. tumors of the prostate, testis, kidney, penis, urinary bladder, renal pelvis, ureter and other urinary organs. Special emphasis is put on genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic biomarkers (SNPs, mutations [genomic and mitochondrial], microsatellite instabilities, viral and bacterial DNA, DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, mRNA expression, and non-coding RNAs [lncRNA, miRNA, siRNA, piRNA, snRNA, snoRNA]). Due to the multitude of published biomarker candidates, special focus is given to the general applicability of different molecular classes as biomarkers and some particularly promising nucleic acid biomarkers. Furthermore, specific challenges regarding the development and clinical implementation of nucleic acid-based biomarkers are discussed.

Loss of Upk1a and Upk1b expression is linked to stage progression in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: Uroplakin-1a (Upk1a) and uroplakin-1b (Upk1b) have recently been identified as diagnostic markers for the distinction of urothelial carcinomas from other solid tumor entities. Both proteins play an important role in the stabilization and strengthening of epithelial cells that line the bladder. METHODS: To evaluate the prognostic role of uroplakin expression in urothelial carcinomas, more than 2700 urothelial neoplasms were analyzed in a tissue microarray format by immunohistochemistry. To further assess the diagnostic role of uroplakin immunohistochemistry, results were compared with preexisting GATA3 data. RESULT: The fraction of Upk1a/Upk1b positive cases decreased slightly from pTaG2 low-grade (88% positive for Upk1a/87% positive for Upk1b) and pTaG2 high-grade (92%/89%) to pTaG3 (83%/88%; p > 0.05) and was lower in muscle-invasive (pT2-4) carcinomas (42%/64%; p < 0.0001/p < 0.0001 for pTa vs. pT2-4). Within pT2-4 carcinomas, high expression of Upk1a and Upk1b was linked to nodal metastasis and lymphatic vessel infiltration (p < 0.05) but unrelated to patient outcome. There were significant associations between Upk1a, Upk1b and GATA3 immunostaining (p < 0.0001 each), but 11% of GATA3 negative cancers were Upk1a/b positive and 8% of Upk1a/b negative cancers were GATA3 positive. Absence of GATA3/Upk1a/b staining was significantly linked to poor patient survival in the subgroup of 126 pT4 carcinomas (p = 0.0004) but not in pT2 and pT3 cancers. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the results of our study demonstrate that Upk1a and/or Upk1b immunohistochemistry can complement GATA3 for the distinction of urothelial carcinomas. Furthermore, a progressive loss of Upk1a/b expression during stage progression and a prognostic role of the combination GATA3/Upk1a/Upk1b in pT4 carcinomas is evident.