Acute sensorimotor paraneoplastic neuropathy in a patient with small cell prostate cancer.

The authors describe a patient with a background of metastatic small cell prostate cancer who presented with a rapidly evolving sensorimotor neuropathy with bulbar features closely resembling Guillain-Barré syndrome, with a good initial response to intravenous immunoglobulins and platinum-based chemotherapy. This represented a likely paraneoplastic manifestation of the patient's urological malignancy.

Clinical and prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging findings as predictors of general and clinically significant prostate cancer risk: A retrospective single-center study.

Background: To evaluate the predictive values of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA density (PSAD), digital rectal examination findings, and prostate volume, individually and in combination, for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in biopsy-naive patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 630 patients who underwent transrectal systematic prostate biopsy following prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. A standard 12-core biopsy procedure was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the significant predictors of clinically significant cancer but not PCa. Results: The median age, PSA level, and PSAD were 70 years, 8.6 ng/mL, and 0.18 ng/mL/mL, respectively. A total of 374 (59.4%) of 630 patients were biopsy-positive for PCa, and 241 (64.4%) of 374 were diagnosed with clinically significant PCa (csPCa). The PI-RADS v2 score and PSAD were independent predictors of PCa and csPCa. The PI-RADS v2 score of 5 regardless of the PSAD value, or PI-RADS v2 score of 4 plus a PSAD of <0.3 ng/mL/mL, was associated with the highest csPCa detection rate (36.1%-82.1%). Instead, the PI-RADS v2 score of <3 and PSAD of <0.3 ng/mL/mL yielded the lowest risk of csPCa. Conclusion: The combination of the PI-RADS v2 score and PSAD could prove to be a helpful and reliable diagnostic tool before performing prostate biopsies. Patients with a PI-RADS v2 score of <3 and PSAD of <0.3 ng/mL/mL could potentially avoid a prostate biopsy.

NeuroSAFE PROOF: study protocol for a single-blinded, IDEAL stage 3, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of NeuroSAFE robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy versus standard robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in men with localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a first-line curative treatment option for localized prostate cancer. Postoperative erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are common associated adverse side effects that can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Preserving the lateral neurovascular bundles (NS) during RARP improves functional outcomes. However, selecting men for NS may be difficult when there is concern about incurring in positive surgical margin (PSM) which in turn risks adverse oncological outcomes. The NeuroSAFE technique (intra-operative frozen section examination of the neurovascular structure adjacent prostate margin) can provide real-time pathological consult to promote optimal NS whilst avoiding PSM. METHODS: NeuroSAFE PROOF is a single-blinded, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which men are randomly allocated 1:1 to either NeuroSAFE RARP or standard RARP. Men electing for RARP as primary treatment, who are continent and have good baseline erectile function (EF), defined by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score > 21, are eligible. NS in the intervention arm is guided by the NeuroSAFE technique. NS in the standard arm is based on standard of care, i.e. a pre-operative image-based planning meeting, patient-specific clinical information, and digital rectal examination. The primary outcome is assessment of EF at 12 months. The primary endpoint is the proportion of men who achieve IIEF-5 score ≥ 21. A sample size of 404 was calculated to give a power of 90% to detect a difference of 14% between groups based on a feasibility study. Oncological outcomes are continuously monitored by an independent Data Monitoring Committee. Key secondary outcomes include urinary continence at 3 months assessed by the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire, rate of biochemical recurrence, EF recovery at 24 months, and difference in quality of life. DISCUSSION: NeuroSAFE PROOF is the first RCT of intra-operative frozen section during radical prostatectomy in the world. It is properly powered to evaluate a difference in the recovery of EF for men undergoing RARP assessed by patient-reported outcome measures. It will provide evidence to guide the use of the NeuroSAFE technique around the world. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03317990 (23 October 2017). Regional Ethics Committee; reference 17/LO/1978.

Analysis of Prostate Cancer Tumor Microenvironment Identifies Reduced Stromal CD4 Effector T-cell Infiltration in Tumors with Pelvic Nodal Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic nodal metastasis in prostate cancer impacts patient outcome negatively. OBJECTIVE: To explore tumor-infiltrating immune cells as a potential predictive tool for regional lymph node (LN) metastasis. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We applied multiplex immunofluorescence and targeted transcriptomic analysis on 94 radical prostatectomy specimens in patients with (LN+) or without (LN-) pelvic nodal metastases. Both intraepithelial and stromal infiltrations of immune cells and differentially expressed genes (mRNA and protein levels) were correlated with the nodal status. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The identified CD4 effector cell signature of nodal metastasis was validated in a comparable independent patient cohort of 184 informative cases. Patient outcome analysis and decision curve analysis were performed with the CD4 effector cell density-based signature. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In the discovery cohort, both tumor epithelium and stroma from patients with nodal metastasis had significantly lower infiltration of multiple immune cell types, with stromal CD4 effector cells highlighted as the top candidate marker. Targeted gene expression analysis and confirmatory protein analysis revealed key alteration of extracellular matrix components in tumors with nodal metastasis. Of note, stromal CD4 immune cell density was a significant independent predictor of LN metastasis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.15, p = 0.004), and was further validated as a significant predictor of nodal metastasis in the validation cohort (OR = 0.26, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased T-cell infiltrates in the primary tumor (particularly CD4 effector cells) are associated with a higher risk of LN metastasis. Future evaluation of CD4-based assays on prostate cancer diagnostic biopsy materials may improve selection of at-risk patients for the treatment of LN metastasis. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this report, we found that cancer showing evidence of cancer metastasis to the lymph nodes tends to have less immune cells present within the tumor. We conclude that the extent of immune cells present within a prostate tumor can help doctors determine the most appropriate treatment plan for individual patients.

Treatment of Active Crohn's Disease With an Ordinary Food-based Diet That Replicates Exclusive Enteral Nutrition.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is the only established dietary treatment for Crohn's disease (CD), but its acceptability is limited. There is a need for novel dietary treatments for CD. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of an individualized food-based diet (CD-TREAT), with similar composition to EEN, on the gut microbiome, inflammation, and clinical response in a rat model, healthy adults, and children with relapsing CD. Twenty-five healthy adults randomly received EEN or CD-TREAT for 7 days, followed by a 14-day washout period, followed by the alternate diet. Fecal microbiome and metabolome were assessed before and after each diet. HLA-B7 and HLA-B27 transgenic rats with gut inflammation received EEN, CD-TREAT, or standard chow for 4 weeks. Fecal, luminal, and tissue microbiome, fecal metabolites, and gut inflammation were assessed. Five children with active CD activity received CD-TREAT and their clinical activity and calprotectin were evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: For healthy adults, CD-TREAT was easier to comply with and more acceptable than EEN. CD-TREAT induced similar effects to EEN (EEN vs CD-TREAT) on fecal microbiome composition, metabolome, mean total sulfide (increase 133.0 ± 80.5 vs 54.3 ± 47.0 nmol/g), pH (increase 1.3 ± 0.5 vs 0.9 ± 0.6), and the short-chain fatty acids (µmol/g) acetate (decrease 27.4 ± 22.6 vs 21.6 ± 20.4), propionate (decrease 5.7 ± 7.8 vs 5.2 ± 7.9), and butyrate (decrease 7.0 ± 7.4 vs 10.2 ± 8.5). In the rat model, CD-TREAT and EEN produced similar changes in bacterial load (decrease 0.3 ± 0.3 log10 16S rRNA gene copies per gram), short-chain fatty acids, microbiome, and ileitis severity (mean histopathology score decreases of 1.25 for EEN [P = .015] and 1.0 for CD-TREAT [P = .044] vs chow). In children receiving CD-TREAT, 4 (80%) had a clinical response and 3 (60%) entered remission, with significant concurrent decreases in fecal calprotectin (mean decrease 918 ± 555 mg/kg; P = .002). CONCLUSION: CD-TREAT replicates EEN changes in the microbiome, decreases gut inflammation, is well tolerated, and is potentially effective in patients with active CD. ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02426567 and NCT03171246.

FGFR3 mutation increases bladder tumourigenesis by suppressing acute inflammation.

Recent studies of muscle-invasive bladder cancer show that FGFR3 mutations are generally found in a luminal papillary tumour subtype that is characterised by better survival than other molecular subtypes. To better understand the role of FGFR3 in invasive bladder cancer, we examined the process of tumour development induced by the tobacco carcinogen OH-BBN in genetically engineered models that express mutationally activated FGFR3 S249C or FGFR3 K644E in the urothelium. Both occurrence and progression of OH-BBN-driven tumours were increased in the presence of an S249C mutation compared to wild-type control mice. Interestingly, at an early tumour initiation stage, the acute inflammatory response in OH-BBN-treated bladders was suppressed in the presence of an S249C mutation. However, at later stages of tumour progression, increased inflammation was observed in S249C tumours, long after the carcinogen administration had ceased. Early-phase neutrophil depletion using an anti-Ly6G monoclonal antibody resulted in an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at later stages of pathogenesis, indicative of enhanced tumour pathogenesis, which supports the hypothesis that suppression of acute inflammation could play a causative role. Statistical analyses of correlation showed that while initial bladder phenotypes in morphology and inflammation were FGFR3-dependent, increased levels of inflammation were associated with tumour progression at the later stage. This study provides a novel insight into the tumour-promoting effect of FGFR3 mutations via regulation of inflammation at the pre-tumour stage in the bladder. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Magnetic resonance imaging-directed transperineal limited-mapping prostatic biopsies to diagnose prostate cancer: a Scottish experience.

BACKGROUND: Transperineal prostatic biopsy is firmly established as an important tool in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The benefit of additional imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) to target biopsy remains to be fully addressed. METHODS: Using a cohort of consecutive patients undergoing transperineal template mapping biopsies, we studied positive biopsies in the context of magnetic resonance imaging findings and examined the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting the location of transperineal template mapping biopsies-detected prostate cancer. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (mean age: 65 years, range 53-78) underwent transperineal template mapping biopsies. Thirty-four patients had 1-2 and 10 patients had ≥3 previous transrectal ultrasound scan-guided biopsies. The mean prostate-specific antigen was 15 ng/mL (range 2.5-79 ng/mL). High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was found in 12 (27%) patients and prostate cancer with Gleason <7, 7 and >7 in 13, 10 and 8 patients, respectively. Suspicious lesions on magnetic resonance imaging scans were scored from 1 to 5. In 28 patients, magnetic resonance imaging detected lesions with score ≥3. Magnetic resonance imaging correctly localised transperineal template mapping biopsies-detected prostate cancer in a hemi-gland approach, particularly in a right to left manner (79% positive prediction rate), but not in a quadrant approach (33% positive prediction rate). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the notion of magnetic resonance imaging-based selection of patients for transperineal template mapping biopsies and that lesions revealed by magnetic resonance imaging are likely useful for targeted biopsies.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for resected colon cancer: comparison of the prognostic value of tumour and patient related factors.

PURPOSE: Despite proven benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer, outcomes remain heterogeneous. Several non-validated prognostic factors have been proposed. This study examines the prognostic value of tumour and patient factors currently included in the Numeracy and Adjuvant! models together with measures of the local and systemic inflammatory responses in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-eight patients underwent resection between 1997 and 2007. Of these, 76 received adjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was 5-FU based (single or combination). Variables from the Numeracy and Adjuvant! calculators were examined. The Petersen Index was used to assess other tumour characteristics considered high risk for recurrence (venous invasion, serosal involvement, surgical margin involvement and perforation through the tumour). Local inflammatory infiltrate was scored by the Jass and Klintrup criteria; the systemic inflammatory response by the Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 78 months. Chemotherapy prescription was higher in younger patients with less comorbidity or tumours with higher nodal involvement, increasing T stage and high-risk characteristics (all P < 0.05). On univariate analysis, high-risk tumour characteristics such as T stage and high-risk Petersen Index in addition to the mGPS related to survival. Only the GPS retained prognostic significance on multivariate analysis (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that the components of Numeracy and Adjuvant! models and the tumour inflammatory infiltrate had inferior prognostic value compared with that of the systemic inflammatory response, as evidenced by the mGPS, in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.

The relationship between the local and systemic inflammatory responses and survival in patients undergoing curative surgery for colon and rectal cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Both local (Klintrup criteria) and systemic (Glasgow Prognostic Score, mGPS) inflammatory responses have been reported to be independent predictors of cancer-specific survival in colorectal cancer. However, high-grade local inflammatory response appears more common in rectal and high mGPS more common in colonic tumors. Whether relationships with survival are similar in colon and rectal tumors is unclear. The present study assesses the prognostic value of local and systemic inflammation in colon and rectal cancers and defines 3-year survival according to inflammation-based criteria for stage II/III disease. METHODS: Two hundred forty colon and 140 rectal cancer patients underwent potentially curative surgery between 1997 and 2007. C-reactive protein and albumin (mGPS) were measured preoperatively. Routine pathology specimens were scored according to Klintrup criteria for peritumoral infiltrate. RESULTS: Patients with colon cancers were older (P < 0.05) and had higher T stage (P < 0.001) and mGPS (P < or = 0.001) compared with rectal cancers. The proportions of patients with a high-grade tumor inflammatory cell infiltrate were similar in colon and rectal cancers. mGPS and Klintrup criteria were independent predictors of cancer survival. The mGPS hazard ratios were 1.56 and 1.76 for the mGPS, and the Klintrup hazard ratios were 2.12 and 5.74 for colon and rectum, respectively. For stages II and III colorectal cancer, 3-year survival was 91% and 73%, respectively. Three-year survival varied between 100% and 68% depending on Klintrup score/ mGPS in stage II disease and between 97% and 60% in stage III disease. CONCLUSION: Local and systemic inflammatory responses are important independent predictors of survival in colon and rectal cancers. These scores combined with tumor-node-metastases stage improve the prediction of survival in these patients.

Tumour inflammatory infiltrate predicts survival following curative resection for node-negative colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: A pronounced tumour inflammatory infiltrate is known to confer a good outcome in colorectal cancer. Klintrup and colleagues reported a structured assessment of the inflammatory reaction at the invasive margin scoring low grade or high grade. The aim of the present study was to examine the prognostic value of tumour inflammatory infiltrate in node-negative colorectal cancer. METHODS: Two hundred patients had undergone surgery for node-negative colorectal cancer between 1997 and 2004. Specimens were scored with Jass' and Klintrup's criteria for peritumoural infiltrate. Pathological data were taken from the reports at that time. RESULTS: Low-grade inflammatory infiltrate assessed using Klintrup's criteria was an independent prognostic factor in node-negative disease. In patients with a low-risk Petersen Index (n=179), low-grade infiltrate carried a threefold increased risk of cancer death. Low-grade infiltrate was related to increasing T stage and an infiltrating margin. CONCLUSION: Assessment of inflammatory infiltrate using Klintrup's criteria provides independent prognostic information on node-negative colorectal cancer. A high-grade local inflammatory response may represent effective host immune responses impeding tumour growth.

Comparison of the prognostic value of inflammation-based pathologic and biochemical criteria in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine interrelationships between the local inflammatory response (Klintrup and Jass scores) and the systemic inflammatory response (Glasgow prognostic score [GPS]), and compare their prognostic value in patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer. BACKGROUND: Both localized peritumoral inflammatory cell infiltrate and the host systemic inflammatory response are known to have prognostic value in colorectal cancer. However, the interrelationships of biochemical and cellular components of the systemic inflammatory response and the local inflammatory response are poorly understood. METHODS: Retrospective study of 287 patients who underwent surgery between 1997 and 2004. Data were collected from routine preoperative blood tests. Routine pathology specimens were scored according to Jass and Klintrup criteria for peritumoral infiltrate. RESULTS: Increased Dukes stage was associated with less peritumoral infiltrate (Jass criteria: P < 0.001, Klintrup criteria: P < 0.01). Increased modified GPS (mGPS) was associated with increased circulating white cell (P < 0.01) and neutrophil (P < 0.01) counts and low lymphocyte counts (P < 0.01). Increased circulating white cell count was associated with increased neutrophil count (P < 0.001) and low-grade peritumoral infiltrate (P < 0.05, Klintrup criteria). Jass and Klintrup criteria for peritumoral infiltrate were directly associated (P < 0.001). On univariate survival analysis of patients with node-negative disease (Dukes A and B), age (P < 0.01), mGPS (P < 0.01), neutrophil count (P < 0.05), and Klintrup criteria (P < 0.05) were associated with cancer-specific survival. On multivariate survival analysis in node-negative disease, the mGPS (hazard ratio: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.27-5.35, P < 0.01) and Klintrup criteria (hazard ratio: 6.31, 95% CI: 1.40-28.44, P < 0.05) were independently associated with cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest low peritumoral infiltrate (Klintrup criteria) and increased systemic inflammation (mGPS criteria) are linked through the cell-mediated immune system. Furthermore, both pathologic (Klintrup) and biochemical (mGPS) measures of the inflammatory response predict survival after colorectal cancer surgery.