Focal high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for localized prostate cancer: An interim analysis of the multinational FASST study.

BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) emerged as a novel approach for the treatment of localized prostate cancer (PCa). However, prospective studies on HIFU-related outcomes and predictors of treatment failure (TF) remain scarce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multinational prospective cohort study among patients undergoing HIFU therapy for localized, low- to intermediate-risk PCa. Follow-up data on serial prostate specific antigen (PSA), multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), targeted/systematic biopsies, adverse events and functional outcomes were collected. The primary endpoint was TF, defined as histologically confirmed PCa requiring whole-gland salvage treatment. Uni- and multi-variable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: At baseline, mean (standard deviation) age was 64.14 (7.19) years, with the majority of patients showing T-stage 1 (73.9%) and International Society of Urological Pathology grading system Grade 2 (58.8%). PSA nadir (median, 1.70 ng/mL) was reached after 6 months. Of all patients recruited, 16% had clinically significant PCa, as confirmed by biopsy, of which 13.4% had TF. Notably, T-stage and number of positive cores at initial biopsy were independent predictors of TF during follow-up (HR [95% CI] 1.27 [1.02-1.59] and 5.02 [1.80-14.03], respectively). Adverse events were minimal (17% and 8% early and late adverse events, respectively), with stable or improved functional outcomes in the majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: This interim analysis of a multinational study on HIFU therapy for the management of low-to-intermediate-risk PCa reveals good functional outcomes, minimal adverse events and low incidence of TF over the short-term. Data on long-term outcomes, specifically as it relates to oncological outcomes, are awaited eagerly.

Clinical parameters for the prediction of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with negative PSMA-PET.

BACKGROUND: Depending on the risk of LN metastasis ePLND at RP is recommended. As ePLND has potential side effects, and diagnostics have improved substantially, our objective was to evaluate the performance of the Briganti 2019 nomogram in a contemporary cohort with preoperative negative PSMA-PET. METHODS: Patients with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer (CaP), undergoing RP and ePND at our center with preoperative negative [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET were included. The Accuracy of the nomogram was assessed using ROC analysis. The association of clinical parameters with the presence of LN metastasis was assessed using logistic regression. Specimen of prostate and LNs in patients with false negative PSMA-PET were additionally stained for AR and PSMA expression and assessed by IHC. RESULTS: The study included 108 patients, 28% intermediate- and 72% high-risk. Twelve patients harbored occult LN metastasis. Accuracy of the nomogram was 0.62. [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET showed a NPV of 89%. IHC showed expression of PSMA and AR in the primary and LN metastasis in all patients. On logistic regression analysis only DRE (OR 2.72; 95%CI 1.01-7.35; P = 0.05) and percentage of cores with significant CaP (OR 1.29; 95%CI 1.05-1.60; P = 0.02) showed a significant association with LN metastasis. CONCLUSION: The currently used nomogram is suboptimal in detecting patients with occult LNM. While the cut-off value to perform ePLND can be increased slightly following a negative PSMA-PET scan, more accurate methods of identifying these patients are needed. Whether ePLND can have a therapeutic benefit, as opposed to a diagnostic only, needs to be re-evaluated in the PSMA-PET era.

Which Patients with Prostate Cancer and Lymph Node Uptake at Preoperative Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography Scan Are at a Higher Risk of Prostate-specific Antigen Persistence After Radical Prostatectomy? Identifying Indicators of Systemic Disease by Integrating Clinical, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Functional Imaging Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The role of local therapies including radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients with clinical lymphadenopathies on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) has scarcely been explored. Limited data are available to identify men who would benefit from RP; on the contrary, those more likely to benefit already have systemic disease. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the predictors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence in surgically managed PCa patients with lymphadenopathies on a PSMA PET/CT scan by integrating clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and PSMA PET/CT parameters. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We identified 519 patients treated with RP and extended lymph node dissection, and who received preoperative PSMA PET between 2017 and 2022 in nine referral centers. Among them, we selected 88 patients with nodal uptake at preoperative PSMA PET (miTxN1M0). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The outcome was PSA persistence, defined as a PSA value of ≥0.1 ng/ml at the first measurement after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models tested the predictors of PSA persistence. Covariates consisted of biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group, clinical stage at MRI, and number of positive spots at a PET/CT scan. A regression tree analysis stratified patients into risk groups based on preoperative characteristics. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, lymph node invasion (LNI) was detected in 63 patients (72%) and 32 (36%) experienced PSA persistence after RP. At multivariable analyses, having more than two lymph nodal positive findings at PSMA PET, seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) at MRI, and ISUP grade group >3 at biopsy were independent predictors of PSA persistence (all p < 0.05). At the regression tree analysis, patients were stratified in four risk groups according to biopsy ISUP grade, number of positive findings at PET/CT, and clinical stage at MRI. The model depicted good discrimination at internal validation (area under the curve 78%). CONCLUSIONS: One out of three miN1M0 patients showed PSA persistence after surgery. Patients with ISUP grade 2-3, as well as patients with organ-confined disease at MRI and a single or two positive nodal findings at PET are those in whom RP may achieve the best oncological outcomes in the context of a multimodal approach. Conversely, patients with a high ISUP grade and extracapsular extension or SVI or more than two spots at PSMA PET should be considered as potentially affected by systemic disease upfront. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our novel and straightforward risk classification integrates currently available preoperative risk tools and should, therefore, assist physician in preoperative counseling of men candidates for radical treatment for prostate cancer with positive lymph node uptake at prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography.

Second TURB, restaging TURB or repeat TURB in primary T1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: impact on prognosis?

PURPOSE: A re-transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) is a well-established approach in managing non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) for various reasons: repeat-TURB is recommended for a macroscopically incomplete initial resection, restaging-TURB is required if the first resection was macroscopically complete but contained no detrusor muscle (DM) and second-TURB is advised for all completely resected T1-tumors with DM in the resection specimen. This study assessed the long-term outcomes after repeat-, second-, and restaging-TURB in T1-NMIBC patients. METHODS: Individual patient data with tumor characteristics of 1660 primary T1-patients (muscle-invasion at re-TURB omitted) diagnosed from 1990 to 2018 in 17 hospitals were analyzed. Time to recurrence, progression, death due to bladder cancer (BC), and all causes (OS) were visualized with cumulative incidence functions and analyzed by log-rank tests and multivariable Cox-regression models stratified by institution. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 45.3 (IQR 22.7-81.1) months. There were no differences in time to recurrence, progression, or OS between patients undergoing restaging (135 patients), second (644 patients), or repeat-TURB (84 patients), nor between patients who did or who did not undergo second or restaging-TURB. However, patients who underwent repeat-TURB had a shorter time to BC death compared to those who had second- or restaging-TURB (multivariable HR 3.58, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Prognosis did not significantly differ between patients who underwent restaging- or second-TURB. However, a worse prognosis in terms of death due to bladder cancer was found in patients who underwent repeat-TURB compared to second-TURB and restaging-TURB, highlighting the importance of separately evaluating different indications for re-TURB.

Treatment Patterns and Real-World Outcomes for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on real-world outcomes for patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) since immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became available. Our objective was to analyze outcomes for patients with mUC since ICIs became available. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 131 patients with mUC attending the outpatient clinic of a single tertiary care center who received systemic therapy between June 2017 and July 2021 with follow-up up to December 2022. Summary and descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical and continuous variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to calculate survival, and a Cox proportional-hazards model was used to explore associations between clinical variables and outcomes. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: The median patient age was 68 yr (range 35-90). The first systemic therapy administered was platinum-based in 79% of cases and ICI-based in 21%. Some 61% of the cohort received a second systemic treatment, with 75% of these an ICI. Median overall survival for the entire cohort was 24 mo (interquartile range 9-35). Patients on ICI therapy for ≥6 mo had median overall survival of 59 mo (95% confidence interval 39 mo-not reached). Metastatic sites on initiation of ICI therapy and C-reactive protein kinetics were prognostic in patients receiving ICIs. Limitations include the retrospective design and inherent selection bias. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: More than 60% of patients with mUC received second-line treatment, and 75% of these received an ICI. Patients staying on immunotherapy for more than 6 mo have substantially better outcomes in comparison to patients with less time on immunotherapy and historical cohorts. PATIENT SUMMARY: We looked at the lines of therapy and outcomes for patients with advanced or metastatic cancer of the urinary tract, starting from when immunotherapy drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became available. We found that 60% of patients have received second-line therapy, which is a double the rate in comparison to historical groups of patients. Patients with long-term ICI therapy (>6 months) had significantly better outcomes, with a median survival of more than 3 years.

Outcomes of Cytoreductive Radical Prostatectomy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer on Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography: Results of a Multicenter European Study.

BACKGROUND: De novo oligometastatic prostate cancer (omPCa) on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) is a new disease entity and its optimal management remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of patients treated with cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (cRP) for omPCa on PSMA-PET. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 116 patients treated with cRP at 13 European centers were identified. Oligometastatic PCa was defined as miM1a and/or miM1b with five or fewer osseous metastases and/or miM1c with three or fewer lung lesions on PSMA-PET. INTERVENTION: Cytoreductive radical prostatectomy. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Thirty-day complications according to Clavien-Dindo, continence rates, time to castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 95 (82%) patients had miM1b, 18 (16%) miM1a, and three (2.6%) miM1c omPCa. The median prebiopsy prostate-specific antigen was 14 ng/ml, and 102 (88%) men had biopsy grade group ≥3 PCa. The median number of metastases on PSMA-PET was 2; 38 (33%), 29 (25%), and 49 (42%) patients had one, two, and three or more distant positive lesions. A total of 70 (60%) men received neoadjuvant systemic therapy, and 37 (32%) underwent metastasis-directed therapy. Any and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications occurred in 36 (31%) and six (5%) patients, respectively. At a median follow-up of 27 mo, 19 (16%) patients developed CRPC and eight (7%) patients died. The 1-yr urinary continence rate was 82%. The 2-yr CRPC-free survival and OS were 85.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 78.5-93.7%) and 98.9% (95% CI 96.8-100%), respectively. The limitations include retrospective design and short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoreductive radical prostatectomy is a safe and feasible treatment option in patients with de novo omPCa on PSMA-PET. Despite overall favorable oncologic outcomes, some of these patients have a non-negligible risk of early progression and thus should be considered for multimodal therapy. PATIENT SUMMARY: We found that patients treated at expert centers with surgery for prostate cancer, with a limited number of metastases detected using novel molecular imaging, have favorable short-term survival, functional results, and acceptable rates of complications.

Identification of the Optimal Candidates for Nodal Staging with Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection Among Prostate Cancer Patients Who Underwent Preoperative Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography. External Validation of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Briganti Nomograms and Development of a Novel Tool.

BACKGROUND: Although the therapeutic role of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is still under debate, this procedure is recommended for staging purposes in selected cases. Nomograms for predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) do not account for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, which is characterized by a high negative predictive value for nodal metastases. OBJECTIVE: To externally validate models predicting LNI in patients with miN0M0 PCa at PSMA PET and to develop a novel tool in this setting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 458 patients with miN0M0 disease undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) and ePLND at 12 centers between 2017 and 2022 were identified. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Available tools were externally validated using calibration plots, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and decision curve analyses to assess calibration, discrimination, and the net benefit. A novel coefficient-based model was developed, internally validated, and compared with available tools. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 53 patients (12%) had LNI. The AUC was 69% for the Briganti 2012, 64% for the Briganti 2017, 73% for the Briganti 2019, and 66% for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging stage, biopsy grade group 5, the diameter of the index lesion, and the percentage of positive cores at systematic biopsy were independent predictors of LNI (all p ≤ 0.04). Internal cross-validation confirmed a coefficient-based model with AUC of 78%, better calibration, and a higher net benefit in comparison to the other nomograms assessed. Use of a 5% cutoff would have spared 47% ePLND procedures (vs 13% for the Briganti 2019 nomogram) at the cost of missing only 2.1% LNI cases . The lack of central review of imaging and pathology represents the main limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Tools for predicting LNI are associated with suboptimal performance for men with miN0M0 PCa. We propose a novel model for predicting LNI that outperforms available tools in this population. PATIENT SUMMARY: Tools currently used to predict lymph node invasion (LNI) in prostate cancer are not optimal for men with negative node findings on PET (positron emission tomography) scans, leading to a high number of unnecessary extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) procedures. A novel tool should be used in clinical practice to identify candidates for ePLND to reduce the risk of unnecessary procedures without missing LNI cases.

Dual-Tracer PET-MRI-Derived Imaging Biomarkers for Prediction of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate if imaging biomarkers derived from 3-Tesla dual-tracer [(18)F]fluoromethylcholine (FMC) and [68Ga]Ga-PSMAHBED-CC conjugate 11 (PSMA)-positron emission tomography can adequately predict clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC). METHODS: We assessed 77 biopsy-proven PC patients who underwent 3T dual-tracer PET/mpMRI followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2014 and 2017. We performed a retrospective lesion-based analysis of all cancer foci and compared it to whole-mount histopathology of the RP specimen. The primary aim was to investigate the pretherapeutic role of the imaging biomarkers FMC- and PSMA-maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) for the prediction of csPC and to compare it to the mpMRI-methods and PI-RADS score. RESULTS: Overall, we identified 104 cancer foci, 69 were clinically significant (66.3%) and 35 were clinically insignificant (33.7%). We found that the combined FMC+PSMA SUVmax were the only significant parameters (p < 0.001 and p = 0.049) for the prediction of csPC. ROC analysis showed an AUC for the prediction of csPC of 0.695 for PI-RADS scoring (95% CI 0.591 to 0.786), 0.792 for FMC SUVmax (95% CI 0.696 to 0.869), 0.852 for FMC+PSMA SUVmax (95% CI 0.764 to 0.917), and 0.852 for the multivariable CHAID model (95% CI 0.763 to 0.916). Comparing the AUCs, we found that FMC+PSMA SUVmax and the multivariable model were significantly more accurate for the prediction of csPC compared to PI-RADS scoring (p = 0.0123, p = 0.0253, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Combined FMC+PSMA SUVmax seems to be a reliable parameter for the prediction of csPC and might overcome the limitations of PI-RADS scoring. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm these promising preliminary results.

Prognosis of Primary Papillary Ta Grade 3 Bladder Cancer in the Non-muscle-invasive Spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Ta grade 3 (G3) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a relatively rare diagnosis with an ambiguous character owing to the presence of an aggressive G3 component together with the lower malignant potential of the Ta component. The European Association of Urology (EAU) NMIBC guidelines recently changed the risk stratification for Ta G3 from high risk to intermediate, high, or very high risk. However, prognostic studies on Ta G3 carcinomas are limited and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of categorizing Ta G3 compared to Ta G2 and T1 G3 carcinomas. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Individual patient data for 5170 primary Ta-T1 bladder tumors from 17 hospitals were analyzed. Transurethral resection of the tumor was performed between 1990 and 2018. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Time to recurrence and time to progression were analyzed using cumulative incidence functions, log-rank tests, and multivariable Cox-regression models with interaction terms stratified by institution. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Ta G3 represented 7.5% (387/5170) of Ta-T1 carcinomas of which 42% were classified as intermediate risk. Time to recurrence did not differ between Ta G3 and Ta G2 (p = 0.9) or T1 G3 (p = 0.4). Progression at 5 yr occurred for 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7-4.8%) of Ta G2, 13% (95% CI 9.3-17%) of Ta G3, and 20% (95% CI 17-23%) of T1 G3 carcinomas. Time to progression for Ta G3 was shorter than for Ta G2 (p < 0.001) and longer than for T1 G3 (p = 0.002). Patients with Ta G3 NMIBC with concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) had worse prognosis and a similar time to progression as for patients with T1 G3 NMIBC with CIS (p = 0.5). Multivariable analyses for recurrence and progression showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of Ta G3 tumors in terms of progression appears to be in between that of Ta G2 and T1 G3. However, patients with Ta G3 NMIBC with concomitant CIS have worse prognosis that is comparable to that of T1 G3 with CIS. Our results support the recent EAU NMIBC guideline changes for more refined risk stratification of Ta G3 tumors because many of these patients have better prognosis than previously thought. PATIENT SUMMARY: We used data from 17 centers in Europe and Canada to assess the prognosis for patients with stage Ta grade 3 (G3) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Time to cancer progression for Ta G3 cancer differed from both Ta G2 and T1 G3 tumors. Our results support the recent change in the European Association of Urology guidelines for more refined risk stratification of Ta G3 NMIBC because many patients with this tumor have better prognosis than previously thought.

Feasibility and Optimal Time Point of [68Ga]Gallium-labeled Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Ligand Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery After Systemic Therapy for Primary Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: Implications for Patient Selection and Extent of Surgery.

Background: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) has significantly improved the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PCA). Objective: To assess the feasibility and compare the diagnostic accuracy of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET images taken at baseline, before the initiation of systemic treatment and preoperative images, using histopathology after cytoreductive surgery as reference. Design setting and participants: We identified 20 patients in our prospectively maintained database with primary oligometastatic PCA who underwent cytoreductive radical prostatectomy and superextended pelvic lymph node dissection after systemic therapy, who had baseline and preoperative [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging available. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: We performed a region-based analysis to determine the diagnostic accuracy of imaging, using pathology as a reference. Regions were predefined as prostate, internal iliac left/right, obturator left/right, external iliac left/right, common iliac left/right, and presacral. Results and limitations: Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and diagnostic effectiveness were, respectively, 95.65%, 78.22%, 98.39%, 57.89%, and 83.00% for baseline [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET, compared to 56.52%, 98.05%, 88.30%, 89.66%, and 88.50% for preoperative [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET. On a receiver operating characteristic analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of baseline [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.92) was significantly better than that of preoperative [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET after systemic therapy with an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.70-0.85, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Baseline imaging, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET has significantly better diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and NPV than images obtained preoperatively, in systemically pretreated patients. If a patient is suitable for local treatment and complete resection of the residual tumor is intended, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET images taken prior to systemic therapy are significantly more accurate in selecting the relevant lymph nodes for resection. Patient summary: We found that prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) imaging used early, before hormonal therapy or chemotherapy, provides more accurate information about the spread of the disease, than if used immediately before surgery but after hormonal therapy or chemotherapy. Early use of PSMA-PET has the potential to improve therapy also at later stages of the disease.

T1G1 Bladder Cancer: Prognosis for this Rare Pathological Diagnosis Within the Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Spectrum.

BACKGROUND: The pathological existence and clinical consequence of stage T1 grade 1 (T1G1) bladder cancer are the subject of debate. Even though the diagnosis of T1G1 is controversial, several reports have consistently found a prevalence of 2-6% G1 in their T1 series. However, it remains unclear if T1G1 carcinomas have added value as a separate category to predict prognosis within the non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) spectrum. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of T1G1 carcinomas compared to TaG1 and T1G2 carcinomas within the NMIBC spectrum. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Individual patient data for 5170 primary Ta and T1 bladder tumors from 17 hospitals in Europe and Canada were analyzed. Transurethral resection (TUR) was performed between 1990 and 2018. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Time to recurrence and progression were analyzed using cumulative incidence functions, log-rank tests, and multivariable Cox regression models stratified by institution. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: T1G1 represented 1.9% (99/5170) of all carcinomas and 5.3% (99/1859) of T1 carcinomas. According to primary TUR dates, the proportion of T1G1 varied between 0.9% and 3.5% per year, with similar percentages in the early and later calendar years. We found no difference in time to recurrence between T1G1 and TaG1 (p = 0.91) or between T1G1 and T1G2 (p = 0.30). Time to progression significantly differed between TaG1 and T1G1 (p < 0.001) but not between T1G1 and T1G2 (p = 0.30). Multivariable analyses for recurrence and progression showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The relative prevalence of T1G1 diagnosis was low and remained constant over the past three decades. Time to recurrence of T1G1 NMIBC was comparable to that for other stage/grade NMIBC combinations. Time to progression of T1G1 NMIBC was comparable to that for T1G2 but not for TaG1, suggesting that treatment and surveillance of T1G1 carcinomas should be more like the approaches for T1G2 NMIBC in accordance with the intermediate and/or high risk categories of the European Association of Urology NMIBC guidelines. PATIENT SUMMARY: Although rare, stage T1 grade 1 (T1G1) bladder cancer is still diagnosed in daily clinical practice. Using individual patient data from 17 centers in Europe and Canada, we found that time to progression of T1G1 cancer was comparable to that for T1G2 but not TaG1 cancer. Therefore, our results suggest that primary T1G1 bladder cancers should be managed with more aggressive treatment and more frequent follow-up than for low-risk bladder cancer.

Accuracy of SelectMDx compared to mpMRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The SelectMDx test is a promising biomarker that is developed based on detecting urinary messenger RNA in combination with clinical prostate cancer (PCa) risk factors. We aimed to compare SelectMDx and mpMRI as a diagnostic test in detecting PCa and high grade(HG)-PCa in men suspected to have PCa. METHODS: According to PRISMA, a systematic search was performed using major web databases for studies published before September 30, 2021. Studies that compared sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of SelectMDx and/or mpMRI were included. The bivariate random model that plotted sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and likelihood ratio (LR) for PCa and HG-PCa detection was applied to compare SelectMDx, mpMRI, and combination strategies (both positive and one or both positive). RESULTS: Seven studies comprising 1328 patients who had undergone SelectMDx and mpMRI to detect PCa were included. Regarding PCa detection, SelectMDx had a pooled sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 69.8%, PPV of 64.7%, NPV of 85%, and LRs of +2.68 to -0.27, while mpMRI had a pooled sensitivity of 80.8%, specificity of 73.4%, PPV of 72.4%, NPV of 83.5%, and LRs of +3.03 to -0.26. The one or both positive strategy had the highest sensitivity (96.3%), NPV (95.7%), and the lowest -LR (0.06). While the both positive strategy had the highest specificity (80.9%), the PPV (76.5%) and +LR (3.68). In the scenario of PI-RADS 3 lesions not being biopsied in case of a negative SelectMDx (n = 44), unnecessary biopsies would be reduced by 42% (44/105) while the risk of missing HG-PCa would be 9% (4/44). CONCLUSION: The performance of SelectMDx is comparable to that of mpMRI with regards to PCa and HG-PCa detection. In addition, this biomarker could help refine the clinical decision-making regarding the necessity of a biopsy in patients suspected to has been PCa.

Evaluation of the Predictive Role of Blood-Based Biomarkers in the Context of Suspicious Prostate MRI in Patients Undergoing Prostate Biopsy.

The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of pre-biopsy blood-based markers in patients undergoing a fusion biopsy for suspicious prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We identified 365 consecutive patients who underwent MRI-targeted and systematic prostate biopsy for an MRI scored Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System Version (PI-RADS) ≥ 3. We evaluated the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR,) de Ritis ratio, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI). Uni- and multivariable logistic models were used to analyze the association of the biomarkers with biopsy findings. The clinical benefits of biomarkers implemented in clinical decision-making were assessed using decision curve analysis (DCA). In total, 69% and 58% of patients were diagnosed with any prostate cancer and Gleason Grade (GG) ≥ 2, respectively. On multivariable analysis, only high dNLR (odds ratio (OR) 2.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-5.56, p = 0.02) and low PNI (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.88, p = 0.02) remained independent predictors for GG ≥ 2. The logistic regression models with biomarkers reached AUCs of 0.824-0.849 for GG ≥ 2. The addition of dNLR and PNI did not enhance the net benefit of a standard clinical model. Finally, we created the nomogram that may help guide biopsy avoidance in patients with suspicious MRI. In patients with PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions undergoing MRI-targeted and systematic biopsy, a high dNLR and low PNI were associated with unfavorable biopsy outcomes. Pre-biopsy blood-based biomarkers did not, however, significantly improve the discriminatory power and failed to add a clinical benefit beyond standard clinical factors.

Impact of systemic Immune-inflammation Index on oncologic outcomes in patients treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically nonmetastatic prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of the Systemic Immune-inflammation Index (SII) in a large cohort of patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed our multicenter database comprising 6,039 consecutive patients. The optimal preoperative SII cut-off value was assessed with the Youden index calculated on a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association of SII with pathologic features and biochemical recurrence (BCR), respectively. The discriminatory ability of the models was evaluated by calculating the concordance-indices (C-Index). The clinical benefit of the implementation of SII in clinical decision making was assessed using decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Patients with high preoperative SII (≥ 620) were more likely to have adverse clinicopathologic features. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, high preoperative SII was independently associated with extracapsular extension (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, P = 0.041), non-organ confined disease (OR 1.18, P = 0.022), and upgrading at RP (OR 1.23, P < 0.001). We built two Cox regression models including preoperative and postoperative variables. In the preoperative multivariable model, high preoperative SII was associated with BCR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% CI 1.15-1.55, P < 0.001). In the postoperative multivariable model, SII was not associated with BCR (P = 0.078). The addition of SII to established models did not improve their discriminatory ability nor did it increase the clinical net benefit on DCA. CONCLUSION: In men treated with RP for clinically nonmetastatic PCa, high preoperative SII was statistically associated with an increased risk of adverse pathologic features at RP as well as BCR. However, it did not improve the predictive accuracy and clinical value beyond that obtained by current predictive and prognostic models. SII together with a panel of complementary biomarkers is praised to help guide decision-making in clinically nonmetastatic PCa.

Reliability of Serial Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Detect Prostate Cancer Progression During Active Surveillance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is broadly implemented into active surveillance (AS) protocols, data on the reliability of serial MRI in order to help guide follow-up biopsy are inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic estimates of serial prostate MRI for prostate cancer (PCa) progression during AS. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to select studies analyzing the association between changes on serial prostate MRI and PCa progression during AS. We included studies that provided data for MRI progression, which allowed us to calculate diagnostic estimates. We compared Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation (PRECISE) accuracy with institution-specific definitions. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We included 15 studies with 2240 patients. Six used PRECISE criteria and nine institution-specific definitions of MRI progression. The pooled PCa progression rate, which included histological progression to Gleason grade ≥2, was 27%. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44-0.73) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.66-0.84) respectively. There was significant heterogeneity between included studies. Depending on PCa progression prevalence, the pooled negative predictive value for serial prostate MRI ranged from 0.81 (95% CI 0.73-0.88) to 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.93) and the pooled positive predictive value ranged from 0.37 (95% CI 0.24-0.54) to 0.50 (95% CI 0.36-0.66). There were no significant differences in the pooled sensitivity (p = 0.37) and specificity (p = 0.74) of PRECISE and institution-specific schemes. CONCLUSIONS: Serial MRI still should not be considered a sole factor for excluding PCa progression during AS, and changes on MRI are not accurate enough to indicate PCa progression. There was a nonsignificant trend toward improved diagnostic estimates of PRECISE recommendations. These findings highlight the need to further define the optimal triggers and timing of biopsy during AS, as well as the need for optimizing the quality, interpretation, and reporting of serial prostate MRI. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our study suggests that serial prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alone in patients on active surveillance is not accurate enough to reliably rule out or rule in prostate cancer progression. Other clinical factors and biomarkers along with serial MRI are required to safely tailor the intensity of follow-up biopsies.

The Prognostic Association of Prostate MRI PI-RADS™ v2 Assessment Category and Risk of Biochemical Recurrence after Definitive Local Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Although the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System™ version 2 (PI-RADS™ v2) is a reliable diagnostic tool for significant prostate cancer, less is known about the prognostic significance of the structured reporting scheme for estimating oncologic outcomes after treatment. We aimed to synthesize the available evidence regarding the association of PI-RADS v2 score and risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) among patients undergoing primary definitive treatment for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically queried the PubMed® and Web of Science™ databases to identify studies addressing the association between the PI-RADS v2 and treatment outcomes. We included studies through November 2020 that assessed the independent prognostic significance of PI-RADS v2. After assessing risk of bias and quality, we conducted a formal meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effects of prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification on the risk of BCR. RESULTS: We identified 9 and 7 eligible studies including 2,274 and 1,215 patients for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Eight were conducted in the context of radical prostatectomy and 1 post-radiation. Among patients treated with radical prostatectomy, higher PI-RADS v2 scores were significantly associated with risk of BCR (pooled HR 3.06, 95% CI 2.16-4.33; p <0.01). There was no significant heterogeneity among studies. For all studies, PI-RADS v2 score remained significantly associated with BCR (pooled HR 3.19, 95% CI 2.28-4.45; p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Prostate MRI findings assessed with the PI-RADS v2 classification were independently associated with risk of BCR after definitive local therapy, primarily based on data from radical prostatectomy. These findings support the prognostic significance of MRI, in addition to its role in prostate cancer diagnosis.

European Association of Urology (EAU) Prognostic Factor Risk Groups for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and WHO 1973 Classification Systems for Grade: An Update from the EAU NMIBC Guidelines Panel.

BACKGROUND: The European Association of Urology (EAU) prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are used to provide recommendations for patient treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). They do not, however, take into account the widely used World Health Organization (WHO) 2004/2016 grading classification and are based on patients treated in the 1980s. OBJECTIVE: To update EAU prognostic factor risk groups using the WHO 1973 and 2004/2016 grading classifications and identify patients with the lowest and highest probabilities of progression. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Individual patient data for primary NMIBC patients were collected from the institutions of the members of the EAU NMIBC guidelines panel. INTERVENTION: Patients underwent TURBT followed by intravesical instillations at the physician's discretion. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to the primary endpoint, the time to progression to muscle-invasive disease or distant metastases. Patients were divided into four risk groups: low-, intermediate-, high-, and a new, very high-risk group. The probabilities of progression were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 3401 patients treated with TURBT ± intravesical chemotherapy were included. From the multivariable analyses, tumor stage, WHO 1973/2004-2016 grade, concomitant carcinoma in situ, number of tumors, tumor size, and age were used to form four risk groups for which the probability of progression at 5 yr varied from <1% to >40%. Limitations include the retrospective collection of data and the lack of central pathology review. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides updated EAU prognostic factor risk groups that can be used to inform patient treatment and follow-up. Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and 1973 grading classifications, a new, very high-risk group has been identified for which urologists should be prompt to assess and adapt their therapeutic strategy when necessary. PATIENT SUMMARY: The newly updated European Association of Urology prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer provide an improved basis for recommending a patient's treatment and follow-up schedule.

Differential impact of radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy on recurrence patterns: an assessment using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT(MRI).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the differential impact of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) on recurrence patterns in patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) using [68Ga]Ga-PSMAHBED-CC conjugate 11 positron emission tomography (PSMA 11-PET). METHODS: We assessed 162 consecutive patients who experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RP for nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PC). All had at least one positive lesion on imaging. No patient was on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients were categorized into those who had received adjuvant/salvage RT ± ADT and those who did not (RP only). Lesion- and patient-based analyses were performed. The impact of the radiation field was assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 57 BCR patients underwent RP only, 105 received postoperative RT. Median PSA was 1.01 ng/ml (IQR 0.58-2). In the lesion-based analysis, compared to the RP only patients, those who had received postoperative RT, had less lymph node (LN) recurrences distal to the common iliac bifurcation (35.2 vs. 57.9%, p = 0.05), but were more likely to harbor positive LNs proximal to the iliac bifurcation and in the presacral (34.2 vs. 12.3%, p = 0.002) areas as well as bone metastases (25.7 vs. 8.8%, p = 0.01). In the patient-based analysis, the patients with postoperative RT after RP had less recurrence in the pelvis only (pelvic LNs and/or prostate bed) (52.4 vs. 79%, p = 0.002), but were more likely to harbor extrapelvic recurrence (41.9 vs. 15.8%, p = 0.001). Patients who received RT to the prostate bed only had more recurrence to the pelvic LN only (54.2% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.002), but less extrapelvic recurrence (31.3 vs. 53.2%, p = 0.03) and less bone recurrence (16.7 vs. 36.2%, p = 0.031) compared to those patients, who received RT to the prostate bed and pelvic nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative radiation treatment alters the recurrence pattern in BCR patients after RP. Further prospective studies are needed to establish a decision tree for optimal imaging/management according to previous treatments.

Visibility of significant prostate cancer on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-do we still need contrast media?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the visibility of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCA) lesions on the sequences multiparametric MRI of the prostate (mpMRI) and to evaluate whether the addition of dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCE) improves the overall visibility. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated multiparametric MRI images of 119 lesions in 111 patients with biopsy-proven clinically significant PCA. Three readers assigned visual grading scores for visibility on each sequence, and a visual grading characteristic analysis was performed. Linear regression was used to explore which factors contributed to visibility in individual sequences. RESULTS: The visibility of lesions was significantly better with mpMRI when compared to biparametric MRI in visual grading characteristic (VGC) analysis, with an AUCVGC of 0.62 (95% CI 0.55-0.69; p < 0.001). This benefit was seen across all readers. Multivariable linear regression revealed that a location in the peripheral zone was associated with better visibility on T2-weighted imaging (T2w). A higher Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score was associated with better visibility on both diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and DCE. Increased lesion size was associated with better visibility on all sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Visibility of clinically significant PCA is improved by using mpMRI. DCE and DWI images independently improve lesion visibility compared to T2w images alone. Further research into the potential of DCE to impact on clinical decision-making is suggested. KEY POINTS: • DCE and DWI images independently improve clinically significant prostate cancer lesion visibility compared to T2w images alone. • Multiparametric MRI (DCE, DWI, T2w) achieved significantly higher visibility scores than biparametric MRI (DWI, T2w). • Location in the transition zone is associated with poor visibility on T2w, while it did not affect visibility on DWI or DCE.