Association of the combined parameters including the frequency of primary cilia, PD-L1, Smoothened protein, membranous ß-catenin and cytoplasmic ß-catenin expression with the outcome of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the association and combined prognostic significance of the PD-L1, Smoothened protein and ß-catenin expressions in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS: The PD-L1, Smoothened protein and ß-catenin expression were evaluated in 104 ccRCC patients. All studied tumor samples were acquired from nephrectomy specimens of primary tumors and not from biopsies or metastases. An indirect immunohistochemistry using polyclonal rabbit anti-Smoothened antibody, monoclonal mouse anti-human ß-catenin-1 antibody, immunohistochemical assay PD-L1 28-8 pharmDx using monoclonal rabbit anti-PD-L1 antibody and anti-VHL (C- terminal) rabbit antibody was used. Immunohistochemistry was scored semiquantitavely. RESULTS: Median overall survival (OS) was significantly better in patients with lower PD-L1 expression (≤5%), Smoothened protein (SMO) expression (<5%) or cytoplasmic ß-catenin expression (≤75%) than in patients with higher expressions of these biomarkers (P<0.001, P=0.047, and P<0.001, respectively). Membranous ß-catenin showed an opposite effect with its lower expression (≤75%) being associated with longer OS (P=0.020). There was significant association between PD-1 and PD-L1 expression (P=0.007) and significant association of tumor grade (WHO 2016) with membranous ß-catenin (P<0.001), cytoplasmic ß-catenin (P=0.005), pVHL (P=0.042), PD-L1 (P=0.049) and PD-1 (P=0.028) expression. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the first data on the potential association and combined prognostic significance of frequency of primary cilia, PD-L1, Smoothened protein and ß-catenin expression with the outcome in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Brain Response Induced by Peroneal Electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation Invented for Overactive Bladder Treatment, as Detected by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether peroneal electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation invented for overactive bladder (OAB) treatment elicits activation in brain regions involved in neural regulation of the lower urinary tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 22 enrolled healthy female volunteers, 13 were eligible for the final analysis. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (Siemens VIDA 3T; Erlangen, Germany) was used to compare the brain region activation elicited by peroneal electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation with the activation elicited by sham stimulation. Each subject underwent brain fMRI recording during eight 30-second periods of rest, alternating with 30-second periods of passive feet movement using the sham device, mimicking the motor response to peroneal nerve stimulation. Subsequently, fMRI recording was performed during the analogic "off-on" stimulation paradigm using peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation. Magnetic resonance imaging data acquired during both paradigms were compared using individual and group statistics. RESULTS: During both peroneal electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation and sham feet movements, we observed activation of the primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area, corresponding to the cortical projection of lower limb movement. During peroneal electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation, we observed significant activations in the brain stem, cerebellum, cingulate gyrus, putamen, operculum, and anterior insula, which were not observed during the sham feet movement. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that peroneal electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation elicits activation of brain structures that have been previously implicated in the perception of bladder fullness and that play a role in the ability to cope with urinary urgency. Our data suggest that neuromodulation at the level of supraspinal control of the lower urinary tract may contribute to the treatment effect of peroneal electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation in patients with OAB.

How to follow the new EU Council recommendation and improve prostate cancer early detection: the Prostaforum 2022 declaration.

An updated Council of the EU recommendation on cancer screening was adopted in December 2022 during the Czech EU presidency. The recommendation included prostate cancer as a suitable target disease for organised screening, and invited countries to proceed with piloting and further research. To support further discussions and actions to promote early detection of prostate cancer, an international conference in November 2022 (Prostaforum 2022) resulted in a joint declaration. Here we describe the EU policy background, summarise the preparation of the declaration and the key underlying evidence and expert recommendations, and report the text of the declaration. The declaration summarises the striking inequalities in prostate cancer burden in Europe and calls on all stakeholders to consider and support concrete steps for advancement of organised early detection of prostate cancer. Our aim is to request endorsement of the text and potential initiation of practical actions by all stakeholders to support the aims of the declaration. Patient summary: Prostate cancer is among the most frequent cancers and is one of the most common causes of cancer death among men. The European Union has recommended new pilot programmes for prostate cancer screening. The Prostaforum 2022 declaration invites all stakeholders to support this new recommendation with specific steps.

Urinary shedding of common DNA viruses and their possible association with bladder cancer: a qPCR-based study.

After a decade of human urinary microbiota research, little is known about the composition of the urinary virome and its association with health and disease. This study aimed to investigate the presence of 10 common DNA viruses in human urine and their putative association with bladder cancer (BC). Catheterized urine samples were collected from patients undergoing endoscopic urological procedures under anesthesia. After DNA extraction from the samples, viral DNA sequences were detected using real-time PCR. Viruria rates were compared between BC patients and controls. A total of 106 patients (89 males and 17 females) were included in the study. Fifty-seven (53.8%) were BC patients and 49 (46.2%) had upper urinary tract stones or bladder outlet obstruction. The viruses detected in the urine were human cytomegalovirus (2.0%), Epstein-Barr virus (6.0%), human herpesvirus-6 (12.5%), human papillomavirus (15.2%), BK polyomavirus (15.5%), torque teno virus (44.2%), and JC polyomavirus (47.6%), while no adenoviruses, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, or parvoviruses were found. There were statistically significant differences in HPV viruria rates between cancer patients and controls (24.5% vs. 4.3%, p=0.032 after adjustment for age and gender). Viruria rates increased from benign to non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive tumors. Patients with a history of BC have higher HPV viruria rates than controls. Whether this relationship is a causal one remains to be established by further research.

Differences between brain responses to peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, two treatments for overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVES: To compare brain responses to peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation (peroneal eTNM®) and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), two methods for treating overactive bladder (OAB), using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The present study was not designed to compare their clinical efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 32 healthy adult female volunteers (average age 38.3 years (range 22-73)). Brain MRI using 3 T scanner was performed during three 8-min blocks of alternating sequences. During each 8-min block, the protocol alternated between sham stimulation (30 s) and rest (30 s) for 8 repeats; then peroneal eTNM® stimulation (30 s) and rest (30 s) for 8 repeats; then, TTNS stimulation (30 s) and rest (30 s) for 8 repeats. Statistical analysis was performed at the individual level with a threshold of p = 0.05, family-wise error (FWE)-corrected. The resulting individual statistical maps were analyzed in group statistics using a one-sample t-test, p = 0.05 threshold, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected. RESULTS: During peroneal eTNM®, TTNS, and sham stimulations, we recorded activation in the brainstem, bilateral posterior insula, bilateral precentral gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left transverse temporal gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus. During both peroneal eTNM® and TTNS stimulations, but not sham stimulations, we recorded activation in the left cerebellum, right transverse temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and right inferior frontal gyrus. Exclusively during peroneal eTNM® stimulation, we observed activation in the right cerebellum, right thalamus, bilateral basal ganglia, bilateral cingulate gyrus, right anterior insula, right central operculum, bilateral supplementary motor cortex, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and left inferior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: Peroneal eTNM®, but not TTNS, induces the activation of brain structures that were previously implicated in neural control of the of bladder filling and play an important role in the ability to cope with urgency. The therapeutic effect of peroneal eTNM® could be exerted, at least in part, at the supraspinal level of neural control.

Permanent urethral catheter - a good servant, but bad master: Guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, which increase morbidity, mortality, prolong the length of hospitalization and have a significant impact on the cost of treatment. The most efficient preventive method is removing catheters as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary catheterizations. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is not recommended. In cases of serious CAUTI, vigorous antibiotic therapy covering multidrug-resistant uropathogens should be initiated. These recommendations are intended for all medical specialties to improve the care of patients with indwelling catheters in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CAUTI in primary care and subsequent long-term care.

Bladder cancer is associated with decreased urinary microbiota diversity and alterations in microbial community composition.

INTRODUCTION: Human urine microbiota (UM) research has uncovered associations between composition of microbial communities of the lower urinary tract and various disease states including several reports on the putative link between UM and bladder cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to investigate male UM in patients with BC and controls using catheterised urine specimens unlike in previous studies. METHODS: Urine samples were obtained in theatre after surgical prepping and draping using aseptic catheterisation. DNA was extracted and hypervariable region V4 of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using 515F and 806R primers. Sequencing was performed on Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequencing data were processed using appropriate software tools. Alpha diversity measures were calculated and compared between groups. Prevalence Interval for Microbiome Evaluation was used to test differences in beta diversity. RESULTS: A total of 63 samples were included in the analysis. Mean age of study subjects was 65.1 years (SD 12.5). Thirty-four men had bladder cancer and 29 participants were undergoing interventions for benign conditions (benign prostate hyperplasia or upper urinary tract stone disease). BC patients had lower UM richness and diversity than controls (83 vs. 139 operational taxonomic units, P = 0.015; Shannon index: 2.46 vs. 2.94, P = 0.049). There were specific taxa enriched in cancer (Veillonella, Varibaculum, Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum) and control groups (Pasteurella, Corynebacterium, Acinetobacter), respectively. CONCLUSION: BC patients had lower bladder microbiota richness and diversity than controls. Specific genera were enriched in cancer and control groups, respectively. These results corroborate some of previous reports while contradicting others. Future microbiota research would benefit from parallel transcriptomic/metabolomic analysis.

The clinical value of circulating free tumor DNA in testicular germ cell tumor patients.

BACKGROUND: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are unique malignancies of young adult men; their biology is, however, underexplored and there has not been much progress in their treatment for decades. Circulating free tumor DNA (cfDNA) analysis represents a promising way of discovering novel diagnostic and treatment options. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the clinical value of cfDNA detection in TGCT patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Total cfDNA concentration and ratio of its 2 main fragments (180 and 360 bp) were evaluated by spectrophotometry, capillary electrophoresis and qPCR in peripheral blood plasma of 96 TGCT patients (173 samples) and 31 normal controls. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The total cfDNA concentration was significantly higher in TGCT than in controls (P < 0.0001), with the highest levels at disease progression, but with no clear threshold between malignant and normal samples. Patients with positive tumor markers had higher cfDNA concentrations than those with negative markers (P = 0.01). Longer 360 bp cfDNA fragments were found in 58% of TGCT patients including almost all samples from relapse or disease progression but no normal controls (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Total cfDNA levels are significantly increased in TGCT patients but without a clear threshold separating normal and tumor samples, thus total cfDNA amount itself is not a sensitive enough marker to identify or monitor TGCT. Longer cfDNA fragments have been found exclusively in a proportion of tumors and predominantly at disease progression, representing a novel potential marker for TGCT monitoring that would deserve further exploration.

Bladder Microbiota Are Associated with Clinical Conditions That Extend beyond the Urinary Tract.

BACKGROUND: Since the discovery of the human urinary microbiota (UM), alterations in microbial community composition have been associated with various genitourinary conditions. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine possible associations of UM with clinical conditions beyond the urinary tract and to test some of the conclusions from previous studies on UM. METHODS: Catheterised urine samples from 87 men were collected prior to endoscopic urological interventions under anaesthesia. The composition of the bacterial community in urine was characterized using the hypervariable V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Samples from 58 patients yielded a sufficient amount of bacterial DNA for analysis. Alpha diversity measures (number of operational taxonomic units, ACE, iChao2, Shannon and Simpson indices) were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Beta diversity (differences in microbial community composition) was assessed using non-metric dimensional scaling in combination with the Prevalence in Microbiome Analysis algorithm. RESULTS: Differences in bacterial richness and diversity were observed for the following variables: age, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking status and single-dose preoperative antibiotics. Differences in microbial community composition were observed in the presence of chronic kidney disease, lower urinary tract symptoms and antibiotic prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: UM appears to be associated with certain clinical conditions, including those unrelated to the urinary tract. Further investigation is needed before conclusions can be drawn for diagnostics and treatment.

Alpha-diversity and microbial community structure of the male urinary microbiota depend on urine sampling method.

Considerable variation exists in the methodology of urinary microbiota studies published so far including the cornerstone of any biomedical analysis: sample collection. The aim of this study was to compare the urinary microbiota of first-catch voided urine (FCU), mid-stream voided urine (MSU) and aseptically catheterised urine in men and define the most suitable urine sampling method. Forty-nine men (mean age 71.3 years) undergoing endoscopic urological procedures were enrolled in the study. Each of them contributed three samples: first-catch urine (FCU), mid-stream urine (MSU) and a catheterised urine sample. The samples were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS, n = 35) and expanded quantitative urine culture (EQUC, n = 31). Using NGS, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla in our population. The most abundant genera (in order of relative abundance) included: Prevotella, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, Campylobacter, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Ezakiella, Escherichia and Dialister. Eighty-two of 105 samples were dominated by a single genus. FCU, MSU and catheterised urine samples differed significantly in three of five alpha-diversity measures (ANOVA, p < 0.05): estimated number of operational taxonomic units, Chao1 and abundance-based coverage estimators. Beta-diversity comparisons using the PIME method (Prevalence Interval for Microbiome Evaluation) resulted in clustering of urine samples according to the mode of sampling. EQUC detected cultivable bacteria in 30/31 (97%) FCU and 27/31 (87%) MSU samples. Only 4/31 (13%) of catheterised urine samples showed bacterial growth. Urine samples obtained by transurethral catheterisation under aseptic conditions seem to differ from spontaneously voided urine samples. Whether the added value of a more exact reflection of the bladder microbiota free from urethral contamination outweighs the invasiveness of urethral catheterisation remains to be determined.

Current antibiotic resistance patterns of rare uropathogens: survey from Central European Urology Department 2011-2019.

BACKGROUND: While the resistance rates of commonly detected uropathogens are well described, those of less frequent Gram-negative uropathogenic bacteria have seldom been reported. The aim of this study was to examine the resistance rates of less frequent uropathogenic Gram-negatives in a population of patients treated in a Department of Urology of a tertiary referral centre in Central Europe over a period of 9 years. METHODS: Data on all positive urine samples from urological in- and out-patients were extracted form the Department of Clinical Microbiology database from 2011 to 2019. Numbers of susceptible and resistant isolates per year were calculated for these uropathogens: Acinetobacter spp. (n = 74), Citrobacter spp. (n = 60), Enterobacter spp. (n = 250), Morganella morganii (n = 194), Providencia spp. (n = 53), Serratia spp. (n = 82) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 27). Antimicrobial agents selected for the survey included: ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam; cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefepime; ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin; gentamicin and amikacin; ertapenem, meropenem and imipenem; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), nitrofurantoin and colistin. RESULTS: Penicillin derivatives have generally poor effect except piperacillin/tazobactam. Cefuroxime is not efficient unlike cefotaxime (except against Acinetobacter spp. and S. maltophilia). Susceptibility to fluoroquinolones is limited. Amikacin is somewhat more efficient than gentamicine but susceptibilities for both safely exceed 80%. Nitrofurantoin shows virtually no efficiency. Cotrimoxazole acts well against Citrobacter spp., Serratia spp. and it is the treatment of choice for S. maltophilia UTIs. Among carbapenems, ertapenem was less efficient than meropenem and imipenem except for S. maltophilia whose isolates were mostly not suceptible to any carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS: Uropathogenic microorganisms covered in this report are noteworthy for their frequently multi-drug resistant phenotypes. Knowledge of resistance patterns helps clinicians choose the right empirical antibiotic treatment when the taxonomical assignment of the isolate is known but sensitivity results are pending.

Cardiovascular safety of mirabegron in individuals treated for spinal cord injury- or multiple sclerosis-induced neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

PURPOSE: To analyze cardiovascular safety of mirabegron in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI)- and multiple sclerosis (MS)-induced neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients were enrolled into the study, and 66 of them were included into the final analysis. In 49 (74.2%), NDO developed due to suprasacral SCI, 17 (25.8%) suffered from NDO due to MS. Eleven patients were previously treated for hypertension and one for arrhythmia. All study participants received placebo for 2 weeks run-in period. Subsequently, eligible subjects were randomized for 4 weeks of active treatment with mirabegron 50 mg once daily (Group A; n = 32) or placebo (Group B; n = 34). Data from resting electrocardiography (ECG), 24-h ECG and blood pressure monitoring, and echocardiographic examination, were used for cardiovascular safety assessment. All reported variables were evaluated at time of randomization and at the end of the study. Longitudinal changes of variables within the groups and differences between the groups were assessed using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: No statistically significant longitudinal changes were found in safety variables, except for prolongation of QT interval in placebo group (p = 0.0328) recorded by resting ECG. No significant difference between the Groups A and B, in any of the variables, was observed. A single cardiovascular study drug-related adverse event was recorded in a patient with cervical SCI (3.13%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that mirabegron can be safely used in the treatment of patients with SCI- and MS-induced NDO.

The predictive value of the prostate health index vs. multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for prostate cancer diagnosis in prostate biopsy.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of Prostate Health Index (PHI) to diagnose csPCa, with that of total PSA, PSA density (PSAD) and the multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) of the prostate. METHODS: We analysed a group of 395 men planned for a prostate biopsy who underwent a mpMRI of the prostate evaluated using the PIRADS v1 criteria. All patients had their PHI measured before prostate biopsy. In patients with an mpMRI suspicious lesions, an mpMRI/ultrasound software fusion-guided biopsy was performed first, with 12 core systematic biopsy performed in all patients. A ROC analysis was performed for PCa detection for total PSA, PSAD, PIRADS score and PHI; with an AUC curve calculated for all criteria and a combination of PIRADS score and PHI. Subsequent sub-analyses included patients undergoing first and repeat biopsy. RESULTS: The AUC for predicting the presence of csPCa in all patients was 59.5 for total PSA, 69.7 for PHI, 64.9 for PSAD and 62.5 for PIRADS. In biopsy naive patients it was 61.6 for total PSA, 68.9 for PHI, 64.6 for PSAD and 63.1 for PIRADS. In patients with previous negative biopsy the AUC for total PSA, PHI, PSAD and PIRADS was 55.4, 71.2, 64.4 and 69.3, respectively. Adding of PHI to PIRADS increased significantly (p = 0.007) the accuracy for prediction of csPCa. CONCLUSION: Prostate Health Index could serve as a tool in predicting csPCa. When compared to the mpMRI, it shows comparable results. The PHI cannot, however, help us guide prostate biopsies in any way, and its main use may, therefore, be in pre-MRI or pre-biopsy triage.

Current Antibiotic Resistance Trends of Uropathogens in Central Europe: Survey from a Tertiary Hospital Urology Department 2011-2019.

Monitoring of pathogen resistance profiles is necessary to guide empirical antibiotic therapy before culture and sensitivity results become available. The aim of this study was to describe current antibiotic resistance patterns of five most frequent causative uropathogens in a Department of Urology of a tertiary referral centre in Central Europe over a period of nine years. The Hospital Department of Clinical Microbiology database was used to extract data on all positive urine samples from inpatients in the Department of Urology between 2011 and 2019. Numbers of susceptible and resistant isolates per year were calculated for five most frequent uropathogens: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus spp. Antimicrobial agents selected for the survey included: ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam; cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefepime; ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin; gentamicin and amikacin; ertapenem, meropenem and imipenem; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), nitrofurantoin, colistin, and vancomycin. High resistance rates of Gram-negative uropathogens were demonstrated to most common antimicrobials, with statistically significant increasing or decreasing trends in some cases. No carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. strains were rare in our population.

Cancer detection rates and inter-examiner variability of MRI/TRUS fusion targeted biopsy and systematic transrectal biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Software-based MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy depends on the coordination of several steps, and inter-examiner differences could influence the results. The aim of this bicentric prospective study was to compare the detection rates of MRI/TRUS fusion targeted biopsy (TG) and systematic biopsy (SB), and the detection rates of examiners with different levels of previous experience in prostate biopsy. METHODS: A total of 419 patients underwent MRI based on a suspicion of prostate cancer with elevated PSA levels. MRI was positive in 395 patients (221 in the first biopsy group [FB] and 174 in the repeated biopsy group [RB]). A subsequent TG, followed by a SB, was performed on these patients by four different examiners. RESULTS: In the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, a significant difference was found for TG+SB against SB in the RB group (35.1% vs. 25.3%, P=0.047). In the detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer, the SB had a significantly higher detection rate than TG in both subgroups (FB: 11.9% vs. 4.7%, P=0.008; RB: 13.8% vs. 6.9%, P=0.034). A significant difference was found between the four examiners in the FB for TG (P=0.028), SB (P=0.036), and TG+SB (P=0.017). CONCLUSION: MRI/TRUS TG in combination with SB had significantly higher detection rates than SB in the RB group only. Differences in detection rates between examiners were dependent on the level of previous experience with TRUS guided biopsy.

Negative prognostic significance of primary cilia, CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and PD1+ cells expression in clear cell renal cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association and combined prognostic significance of the frequency of primary cilia (PC), programmed cell death protein-1 receptor (PD1) and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in patients with clear cell renal cancer (ccRCC). METHODS: The frequency of PC, PD1 expression and the frequency of intratumoral CD8+ TIL were evaluated in 104 ccRCC patients. RESULTS: The median frequency of PC was 0.003. The expression of PD1+ cells were <5% in 52 patients, 5-25% in 34 patients and 26-50% in 13 patients and >50% in 5 patients. Intratumoral CD8+ TIL were evaluable in all patients: negative in 1 patient, <25% in 63, 26-50% in 29 and >50% in 11 patients. Overall survival (OS) according to the frequency of PC was significantly shorter in patients with higher frequency (≥0.002) than in patients with lower frequency (<0.002) (p<0.001). Median OS was significantly shorter in patients with higher (25%) CD8+ TIL and higher (>25%) PD1+ expression than in patients with lower (<25%) expression (4.6 vs. 97. years, p=0.006 and 2.9 vs. 8.9 years, p=0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides the first data on the potential association and combined prognostic significance of frequency of PC, PD1+ cells and CD8+ TIL in patients with clear cell renal cancer.

Molecular Basis of Cisplatin Resistance in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors.

The emergence of cisplatin (CDDP) resistance is the main cause of treatment failure and death in patients with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT), but its biologic background is poorly understood. To study the molecular basis of CDDP resistance in TGCT we prepared and sequenced CDDP-exposed TGCT cell lines as well as 31 primary patients' samples. Long-term exposure to CDDP increased the CDDP resistance 10 times in the NCCIT cell line, while no major resistance was achieved in Tera-2. Development of CDDP resistance was accompanied by changes in the cell cycle (increase in G1 and decrease in S-fraction), increased number of acquired mutations, of which 3 were present within ATRX gene, as well as changes in gene expression pattern. Copy number variation analysis showed, apart from obligatory gain of 12p, several other large-scale gains (chr 1, 17, 20, 21) and losses (chr X), with additional more CNVs found in CDDP-resistant cells (e.g., further losses on chr 1, 4, 18, and gain on chr 8). In the patients' samples, those who developed CDDP resistance and died of TGCT (2/31) showed high numbers of acquired aberrations, both SNPs and CNVs, and harbored mutations in genes potentially relevant to TGCT development (e.g., TRERF1, TFAP2C in one patient, MAP2K1 and NSD1 in another one). Among all primary tumor samples, the most commonly mutated gene was NSD1, affected in 9/31 patients. This gene encoding histone methyl transferase was also downregulated and identified among the 50 most differentially expressed genes in CDDP-resistant NCCIT cell line. Interestingly, 2/31 TGCT patients harbored mutations in the ATRX gene encoding a chromatin modifier that has been shown to have a critical function in sexual differentiation. Our research newly highlights its probable involvement also in testicular tumors. Both findings support the emerging role of altered epigenetic gene regulation in TGCT and CDDP resistance development.

Comparison of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 1 and version 2 and combination with apparent diffusion coefficient as a predictor of biopsy outcome.

PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performance of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) versions 1 and 2 for detection of prostate carcinoma (PCa) and clinically significant prostate carcinoma (CSPCa). The second aim was to evaluate the potential benefit of adding the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) density to the standard evaluation protocol. METHODS: A total of 167 consecutive patients with elevated PSA underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The images were evaluated prospectively using both versions of the PI-RADS and the results compared with 12-core template biopsy and magnetic resonance/transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared for each scoring system using DeLong\'s test. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for ADC and PSA density for lesions scored 4. RESULTS: PI-RADS V2 had high discriminative ability for PCa prediction with an AUC of 0.824 (95% CI 0.763 to 0.885), compared to an AUC of 0.724 (95% CI 0.654 to 0.794) for PI-RADS V1 (p = 0.0335). ADC demonstrated a higher discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.702 (95% CI 0.548 to 0.856) in CSPCa prediction. Using the obtained ADC threshold of 828x10^-6 mm^2/s improved specificity to 86.73% with a sensitivity of 60.38%. CONCLUSION: PI-RADS version 2 exhibited significantly higher discriminative ability for PCa and CSPCa detection compared to PI-RADS version 1. Using the ADC can improve the tumor predictability of PI-RADS version 2 in lesions scored 4.

Use of Prostate Specific Antigen Density Combined with Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Improves Triage for Prostate Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-directed biopsy for prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis improves the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC) and decreases the rate of over-diagnosis of insignificant disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of mpMRI combined with prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) in the decision making related to the biopsy. METHODS: mpMRI and mpMRI/transrectal ultrasound fusion targeted biopsies with subsequent systematic biopsies were performed in 397 patients (223 biopsy-naïve and 174 with a previous biopsy). Detection rates of (CSPC) and insignificant PC were stratified using the PIRADS score, and the number of avoidable biopsies and missed (CSPC) were plotted against PSAD values of 0.1-0.5 ng/mL2. RESULTS: PIRADS <3 and PSAD <0.2 ng/mL2 were the safest criteria for not performing a biopsy. When applied to the biopsy-naïve group, 21.5% (48/223) of the biopsies could have been avoided and 3.7% (3/82) of CSPC would have been missed. In the repeat biopsy group, 12.6% (22/174) of biopsies could have been avoided and 6.9% (4/58) of (CSPC) would have been missed. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of mpMRI and PSAD might reduce the number of biopsies performed with the cost of missing <4% of CSPC.

An overview of the ATOMS generations: port types, functionality and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: We report the multicentre comparison of the different port types of the adjustable transobturator male incontinence system (ATOMS, A.M.I., Austria). METHODS: Between 10/09 and 10/16, 383 patients received an ATOMS. Of these, 63% received the inguinal port (IP, 2009-2013), 23% the intraoperative manually connectable scrotal port (SP, 2013-2015), and 14% the pre-connected fully silicone-covered scrotal port (SSP, 2014-2016). During the follow-up period, continence parameters, pain and quality of life ratings and postoperative port-associated complications were evaluated and compared. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 7®, p < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: Regarding preoperative parameters (BMI, ASA score, previous radiotherapy/incontinence surgery, and preoperative 24-h pad count/24-h pad test), no significant differences were found. Regarding perioperative parameters, the mean operative time was significantly shorter for the SP and SSP (IP vs. SP p < 0.0001, IP vs. SSP p = 0.0048, SP vs. SSP p = 0.697). Comparison of the postoperative 24-h pad count, 24-h pad test and uroflowmetry data revealed no significant differences. However, the postoperative ICIQ-SF score was significantly better for the SSP (p = 0.0232) than the SP. A significant difference was also observed in postoperative port-associated complications. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, we identified one grade I and 29 grade IIIb complications for the IP, 1 grade I and 6 grade IIIb complications for the SP, but only 2 grade IIIb complications for the SSP (IP vs. SP p = 0.0231, IP vs. SSP p = 0.0189 and SP vs. SSP p = 0.0453). CONCLUSION: The SSP shows fewer complications while retaining comparable efficacy.