Sextant Systematic Biopsy Versus Extended 12-Core Systematic Biopsy in Combined Biopsy for Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of sextant and extended 12-core systematic biopsy within combined biopsy for the detection of prostate cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent combined biopsy targeting lesions with a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score of 3-5 were assessed. Two specialists performed all combined cognitive biopsies. Both specialists performed target biopsies with five or more cores. One performed sextant systematic biopsies, and the other performed extended 12-core systematic biopsies. A total of 550 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Cases requiring systematic biopsy in combined biopsy exhibited a significant association with age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-4.32; P = 0.008), PI-RADS score (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.25-4.32; P = 0.008), and the number of systematic biopsy cores (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 2.11-6.44; P < 0.001). In patients with an index lesion of PI-RADS 4, an extended 12-core systematic biopsy was required (target-negative/systematic-positive or a greater Gleason score in the systematic biopsy than in the targeted biopsy) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During combined biopsy for prostate cancer in patients with PI-RADS 3 or 5, sextant systematic biopsy should be recommended over extended 12-core systematic biopsy when an effective targeted biopsy is performed.

Risk factors of recurrence after robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for solitary localized renal cell carcinoma.

To evaluate the recurrence rate and risk factors of recurrence after robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for solitary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 1265 cases of initial solitary localized RCC were analyzed. The baseline characteristics, complexity (REANL nephrometry score), intra- and peri-operative outcomes, and recurrence were evaluated. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence after RAPN for solitary localized RCC. Recurrence after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) occurred in 29 patients (2.29%). The median follow-up was 36.0 months. The N domain (nearness to collecting system/sinus) (odd ratio (OR) 3.517, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.557-7.945, p = 0.002), operation time (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001-1.010, p = 0.013), and perioperative transfusion (OR 5.450, 95% CI 1.197-24.816, p = 0.028) affected recurrence. Distant metastasis among patients with recurrence was significantly associated with nearness to the collecting system/sinus (OR 2.982, 95% CI 1.162-7.656, p = 0.023) and distance between the mass and collecting system/sinus (OR 0.758, 95% CI 0.594-0.967, p = 0.026). Nearness to the collecting system/sinus, operation time, and perioperative transfusion affect recurrence after RAPN for solitary localized RCC. Moreover, the proximity to the collecting system/sinus and distance between the mass and collecting system/sinus were significantly related to distant metastasis after RAPN.

Nomogram Using Prostate Health Index for Predicting Prostate Cancer in the Gray Zone: Prospective, Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To create a nomogram that can predict the probability of prostate cancer using prostate health index (PHI) and clinical parameters of patients. And the optimal cut-off value of PHI for prostate cancer was also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, multi-center study was conducted. PHI was evaluated prior to biopsy in patients requiring prostate biopsy due to high prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Among screened 1,010 patients, 626 patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer with aged 40 to 85 years, and with PSA levels ranging from 2.5 to 10 ng/mL were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 626 patients, 38.82% (243/626) and 22.52% (141/626) were diagnosed with prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer, respectively. In the PSA 2.5 to 4 ng/mL group, the areas under the curve (AUCs) of the nomograms for overall prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer were 0.796 (0.727-0.866; p<0.001), and 0.697 (0.598-0.795; p=0.001), respectively. In the PSA 4 to 10 ng/mL group, the AUCs of nomograms for overall prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer were 0.812 (0.783-0.842; p<0.001), and 0.839 (0.810-0.869; p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Even though external validations are necessary, a nomogram using PHI might improve the prediction of prostate cancer, reducing the need for prostate biopsies.

Prostate-specific antigen kinetics in hypofractionated radiation therapy alone for intermediate- and high-risk localized prostate cancer.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes and define the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics as potential prognostic factors in patients with intermediate- or high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent moderately hypofractionated radiation therapy. Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 149 patients with intermediate- or high-risk localized PCa who underwent definitive radiation therapy (70 Gy in 28 fractions) without androgen deprivation therapy. Clinical outcomes were analyzed based on risk stratification (favorable-intermediate, unfavorable-intermediate, and high-risk). The biochemical failure rate (BFR) and clinical failure rate (CFR) were stratified based on the PSA nadir and the time to the PSA nadir to identify the prognostic effect of PSA kinetics. Acute and late genitourinary and gastrointestinal adverse events were analyzed. Results: Significant differences were observed in the BFR and CFR according to risk stratification. No recurrence was observed in the favorable intermediate-risk group. The 7-year BFR and CFR for the unfavorable intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were 19.2% and 9.8%, and 31.1% and 25.3%, respectively. Patients with a PSA nadir >0.33 ng/mL or a time to the PSA nadir <36 months had a significantly greater BFR and CFR. The crude rate of grade 3 late adverse events was 3.4% (genitourinary: 0.7%; gastrointestinal: 2.7%). No grade 4-5 adverse event was reported. Conclusion: A significant difference in clinical outcomes was observed according to risk stratification. The PSA nadir and time to the PSA nadir were strongly associated with the BFR and CFR. Therefore, PSA kinetics during follow-up are important for predicting prognosis.

Combination of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and transperineal template-guided mapping prostate biopsy to determine potential candidates for focal therapy.

Background: We assessed the ability of the combination of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and transperineal template-guided mapping biopsy (TTMB) to determine the eligibility for focal therapy (FT) (hemiablation) in men and compared it with that of histology from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Materials and methods: In this study, 120 men who underwent mpMRI, TTMB, and RP in a single tertiary center from May 2017 to June 2021 were analyzed. The criteria of hemiablation eligibility were unilateral low-to intermediate-risk prostate cancer (limited to a maximum of International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group 3 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <20 ng/mL) and clinical stage ≤T2. Evidence of non-organ-confined disease or contralateral Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) v2 score ≥4 on mpMRI was classified as ineligible for hemiablation. Clinically significant cancer at RP was defined as any of the following: (1) ISUP grade group 1 with tumor volume ≥1.3 mL; (2) ISUP grade group ≥2; or (3) the presence of advanced stage (≥pT3). Results: Of the 120 men, data of 52 men who met the selection criteria for hemiablation were compared with final RP findings. Of these 52 men, 42 (80.7%) could be considered suitable for hemiablation on RP. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of mpMRI and TTMB in predicting FT eligibility were 80.7%, 85.1%, and 82.5%, respectively. The rate of undetected contralateral significant cancer was 10 (19.2%) on mpMRI and TTMB. Six had bilateral significant cancer and four had small volumes of ISUP grade group ≥2. Conclusions: The combination of mpMRI and TTMB substantially improves the prediction of potential candidates for hemiablation based on consensus recommendations. Improved selection criteria and further investigative tools are required to improve patient selection for hemiablation.

Comparison of Prostate-Specific Antigen and Its Density and Prostate Health Index and Its Density for Detection of Prostate Cancer.

As the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) has increased, screening based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has become controversial due to the low specificity of PSA. Therefore, we investigated the diagnostic performance of prostate health index (PHI) density (PHID) for the detection of PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) compared to PSA, PSA density (PSAD), and PHI as a triaging test. We retrospectively reviewed 306 men who underwent prostate biopsy for PSA levels of 2.5 to 10 ng/mL between January 2020 and April 2023. Of all cohorts, 86 (28.1%) and 48 (15.7%) men were diagnosed with PCa and csPCa, respectively. In ROC analysis, the highest AUC was identified for PHID (0.812), followed by PHI (0.791), PSAD (0.650), and PSA (0.571) for PCa. A similar trend was observed for csPCa: PHID (AUC 0.826), PHI (AUC 0.796), PSAD (AUC 0.671), and PSA (0.552). When the biopsy was restricted to men with a PHID ≥ 0.56, 26.5% of unnecessary biopsies could be avoided; however, 9.3% of PCa cases and one csPCa case (2.1%) remained undiagnosed. At approximately 90% sensitivity for csPCa, at the given cut-off values of PHI ≥ 36.4, and PHID ≥ 0.91, 48.7% and 49.3% of unnecessary biopsies could be avoided. In conclusion, PHID had a small advantage over PHI, about 3.6%, for the reduction in unnecessary biopsies for PCa. The PHID and PHI showed almost the same diagnostic performance for csPCa detection. PHID can be used as a triaging test in a clinical setting to pre-select the risk of PCa and csPCa.

Risk factors for prostate-specific antigen persistence in pT3aN0 prostate cancer after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence in pathological stage T3aN0 prostate cancer (PCa) after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 326 patients with pT3aN0 PCa who underwent RALP between March 2020 and February 2022. PSA persistence was defined as nadir PSA of >0.1 ng/mL after RALP, and the risk factors for PSA persistence were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 326 patients, 61 (18.71%) had PSA persistence and 265 (81.29%) had PSA of <0.1 ng/mL after RALP (successful radical prostatectomy [RP] group). In the PSA persistence group, 51 patients (83.61%) received adjuvant treatment. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 27 patients (10.19%) in the successful RP group during the mean follow-up period of 15.22 months. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for PSA persistence were large prostate volume (hazard ratio [HR], 1.017; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.036; p=0.046), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR, 2.605; 95% CI, 1.022-6.643; p=0.045), and surgical margin involvement (HR, 2.220; 95% CI, 1.110-4.438; p=0.024). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant treatment may be needed for improved prognosis in patients with pT3aN0 PCa after RALP with a large prostate size, LVI, or surgical margin involvement.

New transperineal ultrasound-guided biopsy for men in whom PSA is increasing after Miles' operation.

OBJECTIVES: Currently, a prostate biopsy is guided by transrectal ultrasound (US) alone. However, this biopsy cannot be performed in men without an anus. The aim of this study was to show the outcomes of a new transperineal US (TPUS)-guided biopsy technique in patients who underwent Miles' operation. METHODS: Between April 2009 and March 2022, TPUS-guided biopsy was consecutively conducted in 9 patients (median, 71 years; range, 61-78 years) with high prostate-specific antigen values (22.60 ng/mL; 6.19-69.7 ng/mL). Their anuses were all removed due to rectal cancer. TPUS-guided biopsy was performed according to information on prostate magnetic resonance imaging. The technical success rate, cancer detection rate, and complication rate were recorded. Tumor sizes were compared between benign and cancer groups using an unpaired t-test with Welch's correction. RESULTS: The new TPUS-guided biopsy was successfully performed in all patients. Cancer was detected in 77.8% (7/9) of the patients. These were all categorized as PI-RADS 5. Among them, the detection rate of significant cancer (Gleason score 7 or higher) was 66.7% (6/9). The median tumor size was 2.4 cm (1.7-3.1 cm). However, two patients were diagnosed with benign tissue with PI-RADS 3 or PI-RADS 4. Their median tumor size was 1.0 cm (0.8-1.2 cm). There was significant difference between the cancer and benign groups (p = 0.037) in terms of tumor size. Neither post-biopsy bleeding nor infections occurred. CONCLUSIONS: New TPUS-guided biopsy technique may contribute to detecting large PI-RADS 5 prostate cancer in men after Miles' operation.

Fat Loss in Patients with Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic impact of fat loss after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Data from 60 patients treated with ICI therapy for metastatic ccRCC were retrospectively analyzed. Changes in cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous fat (SF) between the pre-treatment and post-treatment abdominal computed tomography (CT) images were expressed as percentages and were divided by the interval between the CT scans to calculate ΔSF (%/month). SF loss was defined as ΔSF < -5%/month. Survival analyses for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were performed. Patients with SF loss had shorter OS (median, 9.5 months vs. not reached; p < 0.001) and PFS (median, 2.6 months vs. 33.5 months; p < 0.001) than patients without SF loss. ΔSF was independently associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-2.07; p = 0.020) and PFS (adjusted HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17-2.12; p = 0.003), with a 5%/month decrease in SF increasing the risk of death and progression by 49% and 57%, respectively. In conclusion, Loss of SF after treatment initiation is a significant and independent poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients with metastatic ccRCC who receive ICI therapy.

Chromosomal Instability in Cell-free DNA as a Prognostic Biomarker of Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) undergo androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), the disease can progress to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). There are no reliable biomarkers for predicting this progression. Chromosomal instability resulting in copy number alterations (CNAs) is characteristically observed in patients with various cancers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of chromosomal instability in patients with mHSPC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective study analyzed cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in pretreatment plasma samples from 75 patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen. Low-depth whole-genome sequencing of cfDNA was performed to identify CNAs. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The I score (sum of the product of the absolute Z score and the corresponding chromosome length) was used as a measure of chromosomal instability. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazard regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the I score and time to progression (TTP) and the prognostic value of chromosomal instability in predicting castration resistance, respectively. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of 22 patients with a positive I score, 86.4% (19/22) had metastatic prostate cancer. Of these 19 cases, 94.7% (18/19) were mHSPC, which was high-volume mHSPC in 83.3% (15/18). None of the patients with localized prostate cancer had a positive I score. TTP in patients with mHSPC was significantly shorter in the positive than in the negative I-score group (16.4 vs 36.9 mo; p = 0.001). Only the I score could independently predict mCRPC development (hazard ratio 10.315, 95% confidence interval 1.141-93.208; p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The I score could be a biomarker for ADT response and progression to mCRPC in patients with mHSPC. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated whether genetic changes in cell-free DNA can predict outcomes for patients with metastatic prostate cancer that still responds to hormone therapy. We found that chromosomal instability could be a potential predictor of the development of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.