Outcomes of active surveillance for Japanese patients with prostate cancer (PRIAS-JAPAN).

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of repeat biopsies, metastasis and survival in the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS)-JAPAN study, a prospective observational study for Japanese patients, initiated in 2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the beginning, inclusion criteria were initially low-risk patients, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density (PSAD) <0.2, and ≤2 positive biopsy cores. As from 2014, GS3+4 has also been allowed for patients aged 70 years and over. Since January 2021, the age limit for Gleason score (GS) 3 + 4 cases was removed, and eligibility criteria were expanded to PSA ≤20 ng/mL, PSAD <0.25 nd/mL/cc, unlimited number of positive GS 3 + 3 cores, and positive results for fewer than half of the total number of cores for GS 3 + 4 cases if magnetic resonance imaging fusion biopsy was performed at study enrolment or subsequent follow-up. For patients eligible for active surveillance, PSA tests were performed every 3 months, rectal examination every 6 months, and biopsies at 1, 4, 7 and 10 years, followed by every 5 years thereafter. Patients with confirmed pathological reclassification were recommended for secondary treatments. RESULTS: As of February 2024, 1302 patients were enrolled in AS; 1274 (98%) met the eligibility criteria. The median (interquartile range) age, PSA level, PSAD, and number of positive cores were 69 (64-73) years, 5.3 (4.5-6.6) ng/mL, 0.15 (0.12-0.17) ng/mL, and 1 (1-2), respectively. The clinical stage was T1c in 1089 patients (86%) and T2 in 185 (15%). The rates of acceptance by patients for the first, second, third and fourth re-biopsies were 83%, 64%, 41% and 22%, respectively. The pathological reclassification rates for the first, second, third and fourth re-biopsies were 29%, 30%, 35% and 25%, respectively. The 1-, 5- and 10-year persistence rates were 77%, 45% and 23%, respectively. Six patients developed metastasis, and one patient died from prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: Pathological reclassification was observed in approximately 30% of the patients during biopsy; however, biopsy acceptance rates decreased over time. Although metastasis occurred in six patients, only one death from prostate cancer was recorded.

A phase I study of enfortumab vedotin in Japanese patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer is an aggressive form of cancer with high recurrence rates and low survival. Nectin-4 is a cell adhesion molecule commonly expressed in several tumors, including high expression in urothelial cancer. Enfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate composed of an anti-Nectin-4 humanized monoclonal antibody linked to the microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E. In this phase I study (NCT03070990), Japanese patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer treated with prior chemotherapy, or ineligible for cisplatin, were randomized 1:1 to receive 1.0 mg/kg (Arm A) or 1.25 mg/kg (Arm B) enfortumab vedotin on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Assessing the pharmacokinetic and safety/tolerability profiles of enfortumab vedotin were primary objectives; investigator-assessed antitumor activity (RECIST v1.1) was a secondary objective. Seventeen patients (n = 9, Arm A; n = 8, Arm B) received treatment. Pharmacokinetic data suggest a dose-dependent increase in enfortumab vedotin maximum concentration and area under the concentration-time curve at Day 7. Enfortumab vedotin was well tolerated across both doses. Dysgeusia and alopecia (n = 9 each) were the most common treatment-related adverse events. Regardless of attribution, grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurring in ≥2 patients were anemia and hypertension (n = 2 each). One patient achieved a confirmed complete response (Arm A) and five achieved confirmed partial responses (n = 3, Arm A; n = 2, Arm B). Objective response and disease control rates were 35.3% and 76.5%, respectively. In Japanese patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial cancer, enfortumab vedotin is well tolerated with preliminary antitumor activity and a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with prior reports.

Intraoperative intraocular pressure changes during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: associations with perioperative and clinicopathological factors.

BACKGROUND: Steep Trendelenburg position (ST) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) poses a risk of increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) in men receiving robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The aim of the study was to identify clinicopathological factors associated with increased IOP during RARP. METHODS: We prospectively studied 59 consecutive prostate cancer patients without glaucoma. IOP was measured at 6 predefined time points before, during and after the operation (T1 to T6). RESULTS: Compared with T1, IOP decreased after beginning of anesthesia(T2) (by - 6.5 mmHg, p < 0.05), and increased 1 h after induction of pneumoperitoneum in the steep Trendelenburg position (ST) (T3) (+ 7.3 mmHg, p < 0.05). IOP continued to increase until the end of ST (T4) (+ 10.2 mmHg, p < 0.05), and declined when the patient was returned to supine position under general anesthesia (T5) (T1: 20.0 and T5: 20.1 mmHg, p above 0.05). The console time affected the elevation of IOP in ST; IOP elevation during ST was more prominent in men with a console time of ≥4 h (n = 39) than in those with a console time of < 4 h (n = 19) (19.8 ± 6.3 and 15.4 ± 5.8 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). Of the 59 patients, 29 had a high baseline IOP (20.0 mmHg or higher), and their IOP elevated during ST was also reduced at T5 (T1: 22.6 and T5: 21.7 mmHg, p above 0.05). There were no postoperative ocular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Console time of < 4 h is important to prevent extreme elevation of IOP during RARP. Without long console time, RARP may be safely performed in those with relatively high baseline IOP.

Clinicopathological features and outcomes in patients with late recurrence of renal cell carcinoma after radical surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize patients experiencing late recurrence after primary radical surgery for renal cell carcinoma and to approach the mechanism of late recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 657 consecutive patients who underwent radical surgery for pathologically confirmed ≤stage III renal cell carcinoma in a single institution between January 1981 and December 2008. Early or late recurrence was defined as a recurrence occurring before or after 60 months after primary surgery. RESULTS: Of 657 patients, 96 (14.6%) experienced early recurrence, and 41 (6.2%) developed late recurrence. Patients with late recurrence had smaller diameter of primary tumor (median 5 cm vs 8 cm, P < 0.001), lower pathological stage (P < 0.001) and lower nuclear grade (P = 0.004) at primary surgery than those with early recurrence. On multivariate analysis, vascular invasion (including microscopic and gross invasion) was the predictor of late recurrence (P < 0.01, HR 3.79). Overall survival and disease-specific survival after recurrence were longer in patients with late recurrence (median 64 and 76 months, respectively) than in those with early recurrence (34.5 and 35 months, respectively; P = 0.008 and 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that micrometastasis at the time of surgery associated with vascular invasion at primary tumor site and their relatively lower malignant potential could lead to late recurrence. Further studies are warranted for better understanding and managing late recurrence of renal cell carcinoma.

Effect of preoperative chemotherapy on survival of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma clinically involving regional lymph nodes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on survival in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma clinically involving regional lymph nodes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 55 consecutive patients who received radical nephroureterectomy with or without preoperative chemotherapy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma clinically involving regional lymph nodes at a single institution between January 1991 and December 2013. RESULTS: Median follow up was 18 months (range 2-193). Of 55 patients, 24 (43.6%) received preoperative chemotherapy (study group) and 31 (56.4%) underwent primary surgery (control group). Preoperative chemotherapy consisted of two to four cycles (median 3) of cisplatin-containing regimens. The fraction of patients with lower pathological T stage and N stage than clinical T stage and N stage was higher in the study group (29.2% and 54.2%) compared with the control group (3.2% and 16.1%; P = 0.013 and 0.010, respectively). The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (44.0% vs 12.9%, log-rank, P = 0.003). In multivariate analysis incorporating age at diagnosis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, clinical N stage and the number of removed lymph nodes, preoperative chemotherapy was a predictor of better overall survival (P = 0.047, HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy might provide better survival outcomes in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma clinically involving regional lymph nodes.

Impact of health-related quality of life on repeat protocol biopsy compliance on active surveillance for favorable prostate cancer: results from a prospective cohort in the PRIAS-JAPAN study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate how health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is related to repeat protocol biopsy compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from a prospective cohort in the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS)-JAPAN study between January 2010 and August 2019. We used the Short Form 8 Health Survey (SF-8), as patient-reported outcomes, to assess HRQOL at AS enrollment and the first year of the protocol. The physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were calculated from SF-8 questionnaires. The primary outcome was the evaluation of the association of HRQOL at enrollment on the first repeat biopsy compliance. The secondary outcome was the comparison of SF-8 scores during AS, stratified by repeat protocol biopsy compliance. RESULTS: Of 805 patients who proceeded to the first year of the protocol, the non-compliance rate was 15% (121 patients). In the adjusted model, lower MCS at enrollment was significantly associated with the first repeat protocol biopsy non-compliance (odds ratio [OR], 2.134; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.031-4.42; P = 0.041) but not in lower PCS (OR, 0.667; 95% CI, 0.294-1.514; P = 0.333). All subscales of SF-8 were lower in the non-compliance group than in the compliance group at any point. MCS in the non-compliance group improved over time from the time of AS enrollment (2.34 increased, P = 0.152). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that lower MCS at AS enrollment using patient-reported outcomes was negatively associated with the first repeat protocol biopsy compliance. Our study may support the availability of a simple questionnaire to extract non-compliance.

Successful treatment of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia that developed during the peritransplant period following ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation.

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is an infrequent and fatal disorder. We describe a 54-year-old man who developed NOMI during the peritransplant period following ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation, but who was successfully treated with his renal graft function unimpaired. Abdominal pain appeared on the sixth postoperative day (POD), and emergency surgery was performed on POD 8. Discontinuous segmental necrosis extended throughout the small intestine, and the necrotic segments were entirely removed. He thereafter had ischemia of the ascending colon, which was treated with colectomy, and prostaglandin E1 delivered through the related artery prevented advanced necrosis. Temporary colostomy was closed 20 months after surgery. He maintains excellent graft function at present without secondary disorder. There has been no ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipient complicated with NOMI. However, patients with end-stage renal disease are at the highest risk for this lethal condition, and physicians and urologists should correctly recognize its diagnostics and therapeutics.

Achieving PSA < 0.2 ng/ml before Radiation Therapy Is a Strong Predictor of Treatment Success in Patients with High-Risk Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: To predict long-term treatment outcome of radiation therapy (RT) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for high-risk locally advanced prostate cancer. METHODS: In total, 204 patients with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) high risk locally advanced prostate cancer (PSA > 20 ng/ml, Gleason score ≧ 8, clinical T stage ≧ 3a) were treated with definitive RT with ADT. Median follow up period was 113 months (IQR: 95-128). Median neoadjuvant ADT and total ADT duration were 7 months (IQR: 6-10) and 27 months (IQR: 14-38), respectively. RESULTS: PSA recurrence-free survival (PSA-RFS), cancer specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years were 84.1%, 98.5%, and 93.6%, respectively, and 67.9%, 91.2%, and 78.1%, respectively, at 10 years. Pre-RT PSA less than 0.2 ng/ml was associated with superior outcomes of PSA-RFS (HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.25-0.70, p = 0.001), CSS (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.09-0.82, p = 0.013), and OS (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26-0.91, p = 0.021). On multivariate analysis, age (≥70 y.o.) and pre-RT PSA (≥0.2 ng/ml) were factors predictive of poorer OS (p = 0.032) , but iPSA, T stage, Gleason score, number of NCCN high-risk criteria, a combination with anti-androgen therapy and neoadjuvant ADT duration were not predictive of treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: In patient with high-risk prostate cancer, RT plus ADT achieved good oncologic outcomes. PSA < 0.2 ng/ml before radiation therapy is a strong independent predictor for long overall survival.

[SMALL CELL PROSTATE CANCER PRODUCING SYNDROME OF INAPPROPRIATE SECRETION OF ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE; A CASE REPORT].

A 73-year-old man with progressive prostate cancer visited our hospital after prostate biopsy performed at another hospital. His serum PSA level was 29.02 ng/ml. CT revealed invasion of the bladder, bilateral ureters, and rectum. Otherwise, there was no evidence of metastasis. Pathological findings showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (Gleason score 4+5) and small cell carcinoma component. Two months after administering combined androgen blockade therapy, he was admitted due to severe hyponatremia caused by the inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Furthermore, CT revealed right ureter metastasis, although the PSA levels remained low. Therefore, the patient was put on fluid restriction and sodium administration. After the patient recovered from hyponatremia, chemotherapy, including VP-16 and CDDP, was initiated. However, CT after two chemotherapy cycles revealed disease progression, with multiple bone metastases. Second-line chemotherapy, including CPT-11 and CDDP, was less effective, and the patient died 9 months after the diagnosis.

Risk Factors and Time to Occurrence of Genitourinary Toxicity After External Beam Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

AIM: To retrospectively investigate the risk factors and time to occurrence of genitourinary (GU) toxicity after radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 320 patients. The radiotherapy planning target volume encompassed the prostate with a 1-cm margin in the transverse plane and a 1-cm margin (Group A) or a 1.5-cm margin (Group B) in the longitudinal plane. Incidence rates, risk factors and time to occurrence of GU toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 38.2 months, the rate of late grade 2-3 GU toxicity was 5.9% and the median interval was 18.3 months. The wider longitudinal margin was the single significant independent factor. The 2-year cumulative incidence rates of late grade ≥2 GU toxicity were 2.8% and 7.5% in Group A and B patients. CONCLUSION: A wider radiotherapy margin increased the risk of GU toxicity and led to earlier occurrence.

[Intermittent oral hormonal chemotherapy using estramustine phosphate and etoposide for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer].

Seventeen patients were given lower dose and intermittent oral administration of estramustine phosphate (6 mg/kg/day) and etoposide (30 mg/m2/day) for 7 days. Then administration was discontinued for 7 days. This administration cycle was repeated. Therapy was continued until evidence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. Fifteen of the 17 patients were finally evaluated for PSA response. Overall, the pretreatment PSA levels were lowered at least 50% from baseline in 7 (47%) of the 15 patients. The median survival was 65 weeks. Five of the 17 patients complained of anorexia or nausea during the treatment, but none of them showed over grade 2 anorexia, none requiring transfusion or hospitalization. None of the patients showed edema, deep venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, anemia or myocardial infarction. Because of its rare and mild adverse effects, this intermittent administration of oral estramustine and oral etoposide may be a useful and secure regimen for hormone refractory prostate cancer.

[Persistent müllerian duct Syndrome in brothers].

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome is associated with cryptorchidism and transverse testicular ectopia. Such gonads are at an increased risk of malignant transformation. Furthermore, most patients have azoospermia. Here in we report about two brothers with persistent Müllerian duct syndrome. The diagnosis was made during surgical operation for testicular cancer in younger brother. In the other one, persistent Müllerian duct syndrome was diagnosed during examination for infertility.

Pinpoint targeted immunosuppression: anti-CD20/MMF desensitization with anti-CD25 in successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation without splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) kidney transplantation began in 1989; these transplantations have flourished because of the lack of cadaveric donors, and more than 600 cases were performed up to 2004. Splenectomy has been considered to be necessary for successful ABO-I kidney transplantation, and the majority of pre-conditioning protocols include splenectomy in Japan. However, we have lost some grafts due to antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) accompanying explosive elevation of anti-A/B antibody (Ab) titer even though the patients had a low pre-operative Ab titer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We utilized two doses of anti-CD20, rituximab, simply combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/low-dose steroid desensitization started 1 month before surgery in ABO-I kidney transplantation. Two sessions of pre-operative Ab removal by double filtration plasmapheresis or plasma exchange were carried out. We performed six ABO-I kidney transplantations without splenectomy. Anti-A/B Ab titers were more than 16 to 32 times before treatment. We did not plan any post-operative repeated Ab removal or intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG). RESULTS: Pre-operative anti-A/B Ab titers were successfully reduced to less than eight times in all cases. Except for one case in which we had to remove the graft due to aspiration pneumonia and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) sepsis, the other five cases did not experience antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). An additional session of post-operative Ab removal and/or IVIG was not necessary. In all patients, B cells (CD19+, CD20+, CD21+) and activated T cells (CD25+) were selectively suppressed, although CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations remained stable, thus we call our protocol "pinpoint targeted immunosuppression." Plasma immunoglobulin level was also successfully suppressed, especially after 6 weeks of surgery. CONCLUSION: Anti-CD20/MMF desensitization is safe and allows successful ABO-I kidney transplantation without splenectomy.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney in a 12-year-old girl.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) is a rare kidney neoplasm that almost exclusively occurs in perimenopausal women, and long-term estrogen replacement is relevant to its pathogenesis. Herein is described an atypical case of MESTK uncovered in a 12-year-old premenarcheal girl without a history of prior estrogen use. On surgical specimen it was found that the well-circumscribed tumor measuring 14 cm arose from the lower pole of the right kidney, showing solid and fibrous-cystic areas. Microscopically, it was composed both of epithelial structures similar to renal tubules and stroma comprising non-specific spindle cells. Some intratumoral tubules showed affinities to distal-nephron-specific lectins, and those immunoreactive for proximal-tubule-specific CD15 were also present. In addition, primitive ductal structures were reactive both for CD15 and lectins, but immature epithelial elements typical of nephroblastoma were absent. Spindle cells were positive for actin, desmin and vimentin, and expressed progesterone and estrogen receptors. The tumor was comparable with MESTK, although some epithelia were associated with the immunophenotype of proximal tubules. The patient was free of disease postoperatively for 40 months. In the present case, remnants of the primitive periductal mesenchyme might be promoted to neoplastic cells by a sex-steroid surge during puberty.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil scheduling, epirubicin and cisplatin for locally advanced bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is moderately sensitive to chemotherapy. Notably, the methotrexate, doxorubicin, vinblastine and cisplatin regimen was found to produce a high overall response rate and a modest survival advantage. However, toxicity was significant and the therapy rarely results in long-term disease-free survival. In several clinical series, sequentially delivered methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil followed by leucovorin rescue in expectation of a biochemical modulation has a higher response rate. METHODS: The combination chemotherapy using sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil scheduling, epirubicin and cisplatin (MFAP regimen) for locally advanced bladder cancer was evaluated in a neoadjuvant setting. Thirty-seven patients (32 males and 5 females) were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Six (16.2%) of the patients had complete responses and 26 (70.3%) had partial responses to the therapy amounting to a response rate of 86.5%. At follow-up, 10 of 13 patients (76.9%) who underwent bladder preservation had not developed muscle-invasive recurrence of the disease and kept their bladder. There is no statistical difference of the survival rate between the cystectomy group and the bladder preservation group (p = 0.86). Toxicity was relatively mild but with some severe myelotoxic effects. CONCLUSIONS: MFAP represents an active regimen in the treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer with a moderate toxicity profile.