Evaluation of tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors by a 3D immunotumoroid model.

Background: Only 20 percent of renal and bladder cancer patients will show a significant response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, and no test currently available accurately predicts ICI response. Methods: We developed an "immunotumoroid" cell model system that recapitulates the tumor, its microenvironment, and necessary immune system components in patient-derived spheroids to enable ex vivo assessment of tumor response to ICI therapy. Immunotumoroids were developed from surgically resected renal cell carcinomas and bladder carcinomas selected for high tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and survived more than a month without media exchange. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect immune and non-immune cells in cryopreserved source tumors and the resulting immunotumoroids. Immunotumoroid response to ICIs (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and durvalumab) and chemotherapy (cisplatin, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel) was monitored in real-time with Cytotox Red staining in an Incucyte device, and the immunotumoroid response was compared to retrospective clinical drug responses. Results: Six of the 13 cases tested grew viable immunotumoroid models, with failed cases attributed to extensive tumor tissue necrosis or excess lymphocytes preventing spheroid formation. One successfully cultured case was excluded from the study due to low TIL infiltration (<5%) in the primary tumor sample. The five remaining models contained immune cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and macrophages), non-immune cells (fibroblasts), and tumor cells. Chemotherapy and ICI drugs were tested in immunotumoroids from 5 cases and compared to clinical outcomes where data was available. Four/five models showed cell killing in response to chemotherapy and two/five showed sensitivity to ICI. In three cases, the immunotumoroid model accurately predicted the patient's clinical response or non-response to ICIs or chemotherapy. Conclusion: Our immunotumoroid model replicated the multicellular nature of the tumor microenvironment sufficiently for preclinical ICI screening. This model could enable valuable insights into the complex interactions between cancer cells, the immune system, and the microenvironment. This is a feasibility study on a small number of cases, and additional studies with larger case numbers are required including correlation with clinical response.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chromosomal microarray as a diagnostic tool for mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: A validation study.

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) shows significant overlap with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), and harbor recurrent copy-number alterations (CNA). We evaluated 16 RCC with features suggestive of MTSCC using chromosomal microarrays. The cohort was comprised of 8 females and males, each, with an age range of 33-79 years (median, 59), and a tumor size range of 3.4-15.5 cm (median, 5.0). Half the tumors were high-grade (8/16, 50%) with features such as necrosis, marked cytologic atypia, and sarcomatoid differentiation, and 5/16 (31%) were high stage (≥pT3a). Three (of 16, 19%) cases had a predominant (>95%) spindle cell component, whereas 5/16 (31%) were composed of a predominant (>95%) epithelial component. Most cases (12/16, 75%) exhibited a myxoid background and/or extravasated mucin, at least focally. Twelve (of 16, 75%) cases demonstrated CNA diagnostic of MTSCC (losses of chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 22). In addition, 2 high-grade tumors showed loss of CDKN2A/B, and gain of 1q, respectively, both of which are associated with aggressive behavior. Three (of 16, 19%) cases, demonstrated nonspecific CNA, and did not meet diagnostic criteria for established RCC subtypes. One (of 16, 6%) low-grade epithelial predominant tumor (biopsy) demonstrated characteristic gains of 7, 17, and loss of Y, diagnostic of PRCC. MTSCC can be a morphologically heterogenous tumor. Our study validates the detection of characteristic chromosomal CNA for diagnostic use that may be useful in challenging cases with unusual spindle cell or epithelial predominant features, as well as in high-grade tumors.

Genomic attributes of prostate cancer across primary and metastatic noncastrate and castrate resistant disease states: a next generation sequencing study of 183 patients.

Primary prostatic adenocarcinoma (pPC) undergoes genomic evolution secondary to therapy-related selection pressures as it transitions to metastatic noncastrate (mNC-PC) and castrate resistant (mCR-PC) disease. Next generation sequencing results were evaluated for pPC (n = 97), locally advanced disease (involving urinary bladder/rectum, n = 12), mNC-PC (n = 21), and mCR-PC (n = 54). We identified enrichment of TP53 alterations in high-grade pPC, TP53/RB1 alterations in HGNE disease, and AR alterations in metastatic and castrate resistant disease. Actionable alterations (MSI-H phenotype and HRR genes) were identified in approximately a fifth of all cases. These results help elucidate the landscape of genomic alterations across the clinical spectrum of prostate cancer.

Comparative cost-effectiveness of contemporary treatment strategies for stage IIA seminoma.

BACKGROUND: The Surgery in Early Metastatic Seminoma (SEMS) trial examined retroperitoneal lymph node dissection as first-line treatment for patients with isolated 1-3 cm retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. To date, the standard of care for these patients has been either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Herein, we evaluated the relative cost-effectiveness of these management strategies. METHODS: A microsimulation model assessed the cost-effectiveness of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for stage IIA seminoma. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate model robustness. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection recurrence probabilities were obtained from the SEMS trial. All other probability and utility values were obtained from published literature. Primary outcomes included costs from a commercial insurer's perspective, effectiveness (quality adjusted life-years [QALYs]), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000/QALY. RESULTS: At a lifetime horizon, the mean costs per patient for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were $58 469, $98 783, and $104 096, and the mean QALYs were 40.61, 40.70, and 39.15, respectively. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was found to be the most cost-effective approach because of high costs and accrued disutility of chronic toxicities associated with radiotherapy (cost-effectiveness ratios = $433 845/QALY) and chemotherapy (dominated). On 1-way sensitivity analyses, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was no longer cost-effective if the probabilities of infertility and cardiovascular toxicity after radiotherapy were less than 13% and 16%, respectively, or if the 2-year probability of progression after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was more than 26%. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was the most cost-effective treatment approach for stage IIA seminoma. These findings support clinical guideline consideration of including retroperitoneal lymph node dissection as a treatment option for well-selected patients with stage IIA seminoma.

Predictors of Excellent Urology Residents at the Time of the Urology Match.

OBJECTIVE: To update our experience and report on features predictive of high-quality urology residents at the time of the urology match, because data predicting which medical students will mature into excellent urology residents are sparse. METHODS: We reviewed our experience with 84 urology residents who graduated from 2006 to 2023. Residents were independently scored 1-10 based on overall quality by the current and former Program Director. Discrepant scoring by >2 was resolved by an independent review. Associations of features from the medical student application with an excellent score (defined as 8-10) were evaluated with logistic regression. RESULTS: Discrepant scoring >2 was noted in only 5 (6%) residents. Among the 84 residents, the median overall score was 7 (range 1-10) and 36 (43%) residents had an excellent score of 8-10. Univariably, higher USMLE step II score (P = .03), election to alpha omega alpha (P = .004), no negative interview comments (P = .002), honors in OB/Gyn (P = .048) and psychiatry clerkships (P = .04), and honors in all core clinical clerkships (P < .001) were significantly associated with an excellent score. In a multivariable model, no negative interview comments (P = .003) and honors in all core clinical clerkships (P = .001) were independently associated with an excellent score (c-index 0.76). There were several notable features (sex, letters of recommendation, USMLE step I, externship at our institution, surgery clerkship grade, and rank list) that were not significantly associated with excellent residents. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate features associated with excellent urology residents, most notably no negative interview comments and an honors grade in all core clinical clerkships.

Contemporary Role of Lymph Node Dissection in Genitourinary Cancers: Where Are We in 2023?

CONTEXT: Lymphadenectomy during surgery for genitourinary malignancies has varying benefits. OBJECTIVE: To review contemporary evidence on lymph node dissection in genitourinary cancers. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a collaborative review to summarize current evidence supporting lymph node dissection in urothelial, prostate, kidney, penile, and testis cancers. We present the evidence on patient selection and recommended dissection templates, and highlight knowledge gaps and ongoing areas of investigation. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Lymph node dissection remains the reference standard for lymph node staging. Pathologic nodal stage informs prognosis and guides adjuvant treatment. Appropriate template and patient selection are paramount to optimize outcomes and capitalize on the selective therapeutic benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate staging with lymphadenectomy is contingent on appropriate template selection. The cumulative benefit will depend on judicious patient selection. PATIENT SUMMARY: We performed a collaborative review by a diverse group of experts in urology. We reviewed current evidence on lymph node dissection.

Assessment of PD-L1, TROP2, and nectin-4 expression in penile squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: There is an unmet need for therapeutically relevant biomarkers for advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC). Proposed immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based biomarkers include programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2), and nectin-4; however, there is a paucity of data pertaining to these biomarkers. Herein, we investigated the expression of PD-L1, TROP2, and nectin-4 in a well-annotated cohort of pSCCs. METHODS: A single-institution pathology archive was queried for patients who had a partial or total penectomy for pSCC between January 2000 and December 2022. Whole-slide sections were stained with antibodies against PD-L1 (22C3), TROP2, and nectin-4. Expression in tumor cells was quantified using H-scores (0-300). Associations between IHC expression, human papilloma virus (HPV) status, clinicopathologic findings, and outcome parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: This study included 121 patients. For PD-L1, the median combined positive and H-scores were 1 and 0, respectively; 32.7 % of the cases had an H-score>0. Compared to PD-L1-negative tumors, PD-L1-positive tumors had higher pT stage and grade. The median TROP2 and nectin-4 H-scores were 230 and 140, respectively, with high TROP2 and nectin-4, defined by an H-score>200, noted in 80.7 % and 10.9 % of cases, respectively. High-risk HPV-positive cases had higher TROP2 and nectin-4 scores compared to HPV-negative cases. Patients with high TROP2 expression had significantly more disease progression, and patients with high nectin-4 expression had significantly fewer deaths due to disease. CONCLUSIONS: High expression of TROP2 and nectin-4 in pSCC support evaluation of these markers as therapeutic targets pending validation of our findings.

Identification of amyloidosis of the urinary tract and prostate: Opportunities for early diagnosis & intervention in systemic disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of different amyloid types and frequency of associated systemic amyloidosis in the urinary tract/prostate. METHODS: We studied Congo red-positive prostate (n = 150) and urinary tract (n = 767) specimens typed by a proteomics-based method between 2008 and 2020. Clinical follow up was available for a subset (urinary tract, n = 111; prostate, n = 17). Amyloid types were correlated with various clinicopathologic features. For patients with clinical follow up, chart review was performed to establish localized versus systemic disease, frequency of initial diagnosis of amyloidosis on urinary tract/prostate specimens, presence of cardiac disease, and death from disease-related complications. RESULTS: The most common amyloid types were AL/AH in urinary tract (479/767, 62 %) and localized ASem1 in prostate (64/150, 43 %). Urinary tract AL/AH amyloid was usually localized, but systemic AL amyloidosis occurred in both sites (urinary tract: 5/71, 7 %; prostate: 2/2, 100 %). ATTR amyloidosis was seen in over a third of cases (urinary tract: 286/767, 37 %; prostate: 55/150, 37 %). Urinary tract/prostate was the site of the initial ATTR amyloidosis diagnosis in 44/48 patients (92 %), and 38/48 (79 %) were subsequently found to have cardiac involvement. Seminal vesicle/ejaculatory duct involvement was pathognomonic for ASem1-type amyloidosis (39/39, 100 %). CONCLUSIONS: Over 40 % of patients had systemic amyloidosis, with urinary tract/prostate often the first site in which amyloid was identified. Since early recognition of systemic amyloidosis is critical for optimal patient outcomes, there should be a low threshold to perform Congo red stain. Proteomics-based amyloid typing is recommended since treatment depends on correctly identifying the amyloid type.

Circulating antigen-primed cytotoxic T-cells in patients with renal tumors treated with surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic immunotherapy has changed the paradigm of treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, but nephrectomy continues to benefit selected patients. While we continue to identify mechanisms behind drug resistance, the effect of surgery on natural anti-tumor immunity is poorly understood. Specifically, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profile and tumor reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes changes secondary to tumor resection have not been extensively characterized. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effect of nephrectomy on PMBC profile and circulating antigen-primed CD8+ T-cells for patients undergoing solid renal mass resection. METHODS: Patients with localized or metastatic solid renal masses who underwent nephrectomy from 2016 to 2018 were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at 3 timepoints for PBMCs analysis (pre-op, 1 day, and 3 months post-op). Flow cytometry was used to identify CD11ahigh CD8+ T lymphocytes that were then further characterized according to the expression of CX3CR1/GZMB, Ki67, Bim, and PD-1. Changes in circulating CD8+ T-cells from pre-op to 1 day and 3 months post-op were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. RESULTS: Antigen-primed CX3CR1+GZMB+ T-cells significantly increased by 3 months after surgery among patients with RCC (0.8 × 109 cells; P = 0.01). In contrast, there was a decrease in absolute numbers of Bim+ T-cells at 3 months (-1.9 × 109 cells; P = 0.02). There were no significant absolute changes in PD-1+ (-1.4 × 109; P = 0.7) and CD11ahigh CD8+ T lymphocytes (1.3 × 109; P = 0.9). Ki67+ T-cells decreased by 3 months (-0.8 × 109; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nephrectomy is associated with an increase in cytolytic antigen-primed CD8+ T-cells and specific PBMC profile changes. Further studies are warranted to ascertain the role surgery may have in the restoration of anti-tumor immunity.

Implications of Tumor Surgery in Horseshoe Kidneys: A Comparative Study of Outcomes and Surgical Practices.

OBJECTIVE: To contrast surgical outcomes of Horseshoe Kidney (HSK) patients with localized renal masses suspected of cancer with nonfused nonectopic kidney patients, emphasizing safe surgical practices for HSKs. METHODS: The study examined solid tumors from the Mayo Clinic Nephrectomy registry between 1971 and 2021. Each HSK case was matched to three non-HSK patients based on various factors. The outcomes measured included complications within 30days of surgery, change in estimated glomerular filtration rate, and overall, cancer-specific, and metastasis-free survival rates. RESULTS: Thirty of the 34 HSKs had malignant tumors compared with 90 of the 102 patients in the nonfused nonectopic referent cohort. Accessory isthmus arteries were present in 93% of HSK cases, with 43% exhibiting multiple arteries and 7% with 6 or more arteries. Estimated blood loss and surgery duration were significantly higher in HSKs (900 vs 300 mL, P = .004; 246 vs 163 minutes, P < .001, respectively). The HSK group demonstrated an overall complication rate of 26% (vs 17% in referents, P = .2) and a median change in estimated glomerular filtration rate at 3months of - 8.5 (vs -8.1 in referents, P = .8). At 5-year follow-up, survival rates for HSK patients were 72%, 91%, and 69% for overall, cancer-specific, and metastasis-free survival, respectively. The corresponding rates were 79%, 86%, and 77%, respectively, for matched referent patients (P > .05). CONCLUSION: HSK tumor management is technically challenging with higher blood loss; however, the data demonstrate comparable outcomes for patients with HSK tumors, including complications and survival, to those without HSKs in experienced centers.

The Impact of Metastasis Histopathology on Oncologic Outcomes for Patients With Surgically Resected Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Multiple prognostic models exist to assess survival among patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. However, the relative contribution of histopathological features of the metastasis has not been extensively studied. Herein, we compared models using clinical, primary tumor, and metastatic features to predict cancer-specific survival for patients with surgically resected metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 266 patients who had undergone nephrectomy between 1970 and 2019, and who had a single site of metastasis completely resected. Two versions of the metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma score published by Leibovich et al were calculated, using grade and necrosis from the primary tumor and using grade and necrosis from the metastasis. Predictive abilities of these 2 versions and a third model that included metastatic features only were compared using c-indexes from Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients died from renal cell carcinoma at a median of 2.3 years (IQR 1.1-4.5); median follow-up among survivors was 13.2 years (IQR 10.0-14.5). The Leibovich score using grade and necrosis from the metastasis (c=0.679) had similar predictive ability compared to the original Leibovich score using grade and necrosis from the primary tumor (c=0.675). A third model (c=0.707) demonstrated that metastasectomy within 2 years after nephrectomy, presence of bone metastasis, high grade, and sarcomatoid differentiation in the metastasis were significantly associated with cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Scoring algorithms calculated using histopathological features of the metastasis can be used to predict cancer-specific survival for patients with surgically resected metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. These findings are of particular importance for instances when primary tumor histopathology is not readily available.

A Novel PD-L1 Antibody Promotes Antitumor Function of Peripheral Cytotoxic Lymphocytes after Radical Nephrectomy in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The intrinsic and acquired resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade is an important challenge for patients and clinicians because no reliable tool has been developed to predict individualized response to immunotherapy. In this study, we demonstrate the translational relevance of an ex vivo functional assay that measures the tumor cell killing ability of patient-derived CD8 T and NK cells (referred to as "cytotoxic lymphocytes," or CLs) isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Patient-derived PBMCs were isolated before and after nephrectomy from patients with renal cell carcinoma. We compared the efficacy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab) and a newly developed PD-L1 inhibitor (H1A Ab) in eliciting cytotoxic function. CL activity was improved at 3 mo after radical nephrectomy compared with baseline, and it was associated with higher circulating levels of tumor-reactive effector CD8 T cells (CD11ahighCX3CR1+GZMB+). Treatment of PBMCs with FDA-approved PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors enhanced tumor cell killing activity of CLs, but a differential response was observed at the individual-patient level. H1A demonstrated superior efficacy in promoting CL activity compared with FDA-approved PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. PBMC immunophenotyping by mass cytometry revealed enrichment of effector CD8 T and NK cells in H1A-treated PBMCs and immunosuppressive regulatory T cells in atezolizumab-treated samples. Our study lays the ground for future investigation of the therapeutic value of H1A as a next-generation immune checkpoint inhibitor and the potential of measuring CTL activity in PBMCs as a tool to predict individual response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Age-Based Versus Young-Adult Thresholds for Nephrosclerosis on Kidney Biopsy and Prognostic Implications for CKD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Nephrosclerosis (glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy) is the defining pathology of both kidney aging and CKD. Optimal thresholds for nephrosclerosis that identify persons with a progressive disease are unknown. This study determined a young-age threshold (18-29 years) and age-based 95th percentile thresholds for nephrosclerosis on the basis of morphometry of kidney biopsy sections from normotensive living kidney donors. These thresholds were 7.1-fold to 36-fold higher in older (70 years or older) versus younger (aged 18-29 years) normotensive donors. Age-based thresholds, but not young-age threshold, were prognostic for determining risk of progressive CKD among patients who underwent a radical nephrectomy or a for-cause native kidney biopsy, suggesting that age-based thresholds are more useful than a single young-age threshold for identifying CKD on biopsy. BACKGROUND: Nephrosclerosis, defined by globally sclerotic glomeruli (GSG) and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA), is a pathology of both kidney aging and CKD. A comparison of risk of progressive CKD using aged-based thresholds for nephrosclerosis versus a single young-adult threshold is needed. METHODS: We conducted morphometric analyses of kidney biopsy images for %GSG, %IFTA, and IFTA foci density among 3020 living kidney donors, 1363 patients with kidney tumor, and 314 patients with native kidney disease. Using normotensive donors, we defined young-age thresholds (18-29 years) and age-based (roughly by decade) 95th percentile thresholds. We compared age-adjusted risk of progressive CKD (kidney failure or 40% decline in eGFR) between nephrosclerosis that was "normal compared with young," "normal for age but abnormal compared with young," and "abnormal for age" in patients with tumor and patients with kidney disease. RESULTS: The 95th percentiles in the youngest group (18-29 years) to the oldest group (70 years or older) ranged from 1.7% to 16% for %GSG, 0.18% to 6.5% for %IFTA, and 8.2 to 59.3 per cm 2 for IFTA foci density. Risk of progressive CKD did not differ between persons with nephrosclerosis "normal compared with young" versus "normal for age but abnormal compared with young." Risk of progressive CKD was significantly higher with %GSG, %IFTA, or IFTA foci density that was abnormal versus normal for age in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Given that increased risk of progressive CKD occurs only when nephrosclerosis is abnormal for age, age-based thresholds for nephrosclerosis seem to be better than a single young-age threshold for identifying clinically relevant CKD.

Effect of Dataset Size and Medical Image Modality on Convolutional Neural Network Model Performance for Automated Segmentation: A CT and MR Renal Tumor Imaging Study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the use of an exponential-plateau model to determine the required training dataset size that yields the maximum medical image segmentation performance. CT and MR images of patients with renal tumors acquired between 1997 and 2017 were retrospectively collected from our nephrectomy registry. Modality-based datasets of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 images were assembled to train models with an 80-20 training-validation split evaluated against 50 randomly held out test set images. A third experiment using the KiTS21 dataset was also used to explore the effects of different model architectures. Exponential-plateau models were used to establish the relationship of dataset size to model generalizability performance. For segmenting non-neoplastic kidney regions on CT and MR imaging, our model yielded test Dice score plateaus of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with the number of training-validation images needed to reach the plateaus of 54 and 122, respectively. For segmenting CT and MR tumor regions, we modeled a test Dice score plateau of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], with 125 and 389 training-validation images needed to reach the plateaus. For the KiTS21 dataset, the best Dice score plateaus for nn-UNet 2D and 3D architectures were [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with number to reach performance plateau of 177 and 440. Our research validates that differing imaging modalities, target structures, and model architectures all affect the amount of training images required to reach a performance plateau. The modeling approach we developed will help future researchers determine for their experiments when additional training-validation images will likely not further improve model performance.

Mass spectrometry-based assessment of prostate cancer-associated crystalloids reveals enrichment for growth and differentiation factor 15.

Intraluminal crystalloids are a common finding within malignant prostatic acini and are infrequently identified within benign glands. The proteomic composition of these crystalloids remains poorly understood and may provide insight regarding prostate cancer pathogenesis. Laser microdissection-assisted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LMD-LC-MS/MS) was performed to compare proteomic composition of corpora amylacea within benign acini (n = 9), prostatic adenocarcinoma-associated crystalloids (n = 8), benign (n = 8), and malignant prostatic acini (n = 6). The expression of candidate biomarkers was then measured in urine specimens from patients with (n = 8) and without prostate cancer (n = 10) using ELISA, and immunohistochemistry-based expression in adjacent prostate cancer and benign glands was assessed in 56 whole-slide sections from radical prostatectomy specimens. LMD-LC-MS/MS revealed enrichment for the C-terminal portion of growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in prostatic crystalloids. Although urinary GDF15 levels were higher in patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma compared to those without (median: 1561.2 versus 1101.3, arbitrary units), this did not meet statistical significance (P = 0.07). Immunohistochemistry for GDF15 revealed occasional positivity in benign glands (median H-score: 30, n = 56), and diffuse positivity in prostatic adenocarcinoma (median H-score: 200, n = 56, P < 0.0001). No significant difference was identified within different prognostic grade groups of prostatic adenocarcinoma, or within malignant glands with large cribriform morphology. Our results show that the C-terminal portion of GDF15 is enriched in prostate cancer-associated crystalloids, and higher GDF15 expression is seen in malignant rather than benign prostatic acini. Improved understanding of the proteomic composition of prostate cancer-associated crystalloids provides the rationale for evaluating GDF15 as a urine-based biomarker of prostate cancer.

International Multi-institutional Characterization of the Perioperative Morbidity of Metastasectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been associated with better cancer-specific survival; however, high-quality data on its perioperative morbidity are lacking. Existing population-based data are severely limited by reliance on billing claims to identify outcomes, which may overestimate events owing to a lack of code specificity. OBJECTIVE: To study 30-d complications after metastasectomy for mRCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study involved a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent metastasectomy for mRCC between 2005 and 2020 at two high-volume centers. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used generalized estimating equations for a binary response to evaluate associations of features with 30-d complications classified according to Clavien-Dindo grade. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 740 metastasectomies in 522 patients were identified, including 543 performed in the Mayo Clinic and 197 in UZ Leuven. Among the 740 metastasectomies, 193 (26%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 23-29%) had a 30-d complication and 62 (8%, 95% CI 7-11%) had a major (Clavien-Dindo III-V) complication, including eight (1%) perioperative deaths. Age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, metastasectomy concurrent with nephrectomy, multiple sites of metastasis, pancreatic resection, and metastasis size were significantly associated with postoperative complications (all p < 0.05). Age, multiple sites of metastasis, and pancreatic resection were significantly associated with major (Clavien-Dindo III-V) complications (all p < 0.05). Limitations include the retrospective design and surgical selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-institutional series, fewer than 10% of metastasectomies for mRCC resulted in a major complication within 30 d of surgery, which is considerably lower than previously observed in population-based data. Favorable perioperative outcomes can be achieved with metastasectomy at high-volume centers in well-selected patients. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study we found that fewer than 10% of patients who underwent surgical removal of one or more sites of metastatic kidney cancer experienced a major complication within 30 days of surgery.