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Conditional survival represents the probability of subsequent survival given that patients have already survived a certain length of time. Several models predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy. However, none of them include postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We aimed to analyze BCR-free survival evolution over time and develop a nomogram incorporating the postoperative PSA value to predict BCR-free survival.We included patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer between 2009 and 2021 and calculated conditional survival. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the predictive variables of BCR. We developed a nomogram predicting BCR-free survival three and five years after RARP. We used c-index and decision curve analyses to compare the nomogram with the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment post-Surgical (CAPRA-S) score.We included 718 patients. The overall 3- and 5-year BCR-free survival rates were 85.1% and 75.7%, respectively. The 5-year BCR-free survival rates increased to 78.9%, 82.9%, 85.2%, and 84.7% for patients surviving 1, 2, 3, and 4 years without BCR, respectively. We developed a nomogram including the pathological Gleason score and T stage, positive surgical margin, PSA ≥ 0.05 ng/mL at one year, and lymph node involvement to predict BCR at 3 and 5 years postoperatively. Our nomogram presented a higher c-index (0.89) than the CAPRA-S score (0.78; p = 0.001) and a positive net benefit at 3 and 5 years postoperatively in the decision curve analyses.The 5-year conditional BCR-free survival increased with survival without BCR. The developed nomogram significantly improved the accuracy in predicting BCR-free survival after RARP.

Among early stage prostate cancer patients, intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) and invasive cribriform are key prognostic factors; however, their presence and clinical significance following active surveillance (AS) are unknown. In men who opted for AS, we aimed to examine the presence and impact of IDC-P or cribriform, utilizing radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.We re-reviewed 137 RP specimens available in the PRIAS-JAPAN prospective cohort between January 2010 and September 2020. We assessed the presence of IDC-P or cribriform, and compared the patients' characteristics and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence-free survival after RP between groups with and without IDC-P or cribriform. In addition, we examined the predictive factors associated with IDC-P or cribriform.The percentage of patients with IDC-P or cribriform presence was 34.3% (47 patients). IDC-P or cribriform pattern was more abundant in the higher Gleason grade group in RP specimens (P 0.001). The rates of PSA recurrence-free survival were significantly lower in the IDC-P or cribriform groups than in those without them (log rank P = 0.0211). There was no association between IDC-P or cribriform on RP with the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 4,5 score on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before RP even with adjustments for other covariates (OR, 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.511-3.980, P = 0.497).IDC-P or cribriform comprised approximately one-third of all RP specimens in men who underwent RP following AS, confirming their prognostic significance.

To compare the therapeutic effect of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravesical instillation in older and younger patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The comparison was performed with propensity score matching (PSM) without terminating the death of the older patients using relatively large-scale retrospective data from multiple institutes in Japan.Overall, 3283 patients diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with intravesical BCG instillation during 2000-2018 in 31 institutes were examined; 1437 and 602 patients with high-grade T1 and Tis tumors were divided into those aged ≥75 and75 years. Multivariate analysis using the Fine-Gray competing risks regression model before PSM and survival analysis using the cumulative incidence method after PSM were performed.In the pre-PSM series of high-grade T1 tumors, age ≥75 years was an independent prognostic factor for both recurrence and progression in multivariate analysis (P = .015 and P = .013). In the pre-PSM series with Tis tumor, no variables to predict recurrence and progression was found. In the post-PSM series of 870 high-grade T1 tumors, cumulative probability of recurrence after BCG intravesical instillation were significantly higher in patients aged ≥75 years than in those aged75 years (P = .008). The frequency of discontinuation of BCG instillation in patients aged ≥75 years with high-grade T1 and Tis was not significantly different from those in patients aged75 years (P = .564 and P = .869).The cumulative probability of recurrence after intravesical BCG instillation was significantly higher in older than in younger patients with high-grade T1 bladder cancer.

Purpose: Invasion and metastasis are key steps in the progression of urothelial cancer (UC) into a critical disease. Foxo3a is a member of the Foxo transcription factor family that modulates the expression of various genes. We aimed to elucidate the role of Foxo3a in UC invasion.Experimental Design: Foxo3a mRNA and protein expressions in UC samples were investigated by gene expression assays and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Foxo3a expression was compared with clinicopathologic characteristics and patient prognoses based on UC samples. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and migration assays were also conducted in UC cells.Results: Foxo3a expression decreased in invasive UC; patients with low Foxo3a expression had poor disease-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival; Foxo3a knockdown in UC cells increased cellular motility. Foxo3a negatively regulated Twist1 and Y-box–binding protein 1 (YB-1), and positively regulated E-cadherin in KK47 and TCCsup cells that expressed Twist1, but not in T24 cells that did not express Twist1. Foxo3a-associated acetyltransferase p300 and Foxo3a acetylation status also affected UC motility.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Foxo3a regulates motility of UC through negative regulation of Twist1 and YB-1, and through positive regulation of E-cadherin. This suggests that Foxo3a could act as an independent prognostic factor in UC and could represent a promising molecular target for cancer therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 16(23); 5654–63. ©2010 AACR.

Supplementary Tables S1-S2.

Purpose: The progression of prostate cancer to metastatic and castration-resistant disease represents a critical step. We previously showed that the transcription factor Twist1, which promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition, was involved in castration-resistant progression. Similarly, protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in both metastatic progression and castration resistance in prostate cancer.Experimental Design: In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of PKC/Twist1 signaling in castration resistance, and to apply this information to the development of a novel therapeutic concept using PKC inhibitor Ro31-8220 against prostate cancer using various prostate cancer cell lines.Results: Androgen deprivation and the next-generation antiandrogen enzalutamide induced PKC activation and Twist1 expression, which were reversed by the PKC inhibitor Ro31-8220. Ro31-8220 suppressed cell proliferation in androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells, which was augmented by its combination with androgen deprivation or enzalutamide. The favorable anticancer effects of the combination of Ro31-8220 and enzalutamide were also observed in castration-resistant C4-2 and 22Rv1 cells. Furthermore, PKC phosphorylation was elevated in castration-resistant and enzalutamide-resistant cells compared with their parental cells, leading to persistent sensitivity to Ro-31-8220 in castration- and enzalutamide-resistant cells.Conclusions: Taken together, these findings indicate that PKC/Twist1 signaling contributes to castration resistance as well as enzalutamide resistance in prostate cancer, and suggest that therapeutics targeting PKC/Twist1 signaling, such as PKC inhibitors, represent a promising novel therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer, especially castration-resistant prostate cancer, when combined with enzalutamide. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 951–61. ©2013 AACR.

XLSX file 9K, Taget sequense of siRNAs

Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy is rare, and its incidence, clinical impact, and risk factors are not fully understood. To elucidate the clinical implications of UTUC after intravesical BCG therapy, this retrospective cohort study used data collected between January 2000 and December 2019. A total of 3226 patients diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and treated with intravesical BCG therapy were enrolled (JUOG-UC 1901). UTUC impact was evaluated by comparing intravesical recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates. The predictors of UTUC after BCG treatment were assessed. Of these patients, 2873 with a medical history that checked UTUC were analyzed. UTUC was detected in 175 patients (6.1%) during the follow-up period. Patients with UTUC had worse survival rates than those without UTUC. Multivariate analyses revealed that tumor multiplicity (odds ratio [OR], 1.681; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005–2.812; p = 0.048), Connaught strain (OR, 2.211; 95% CI, 1.380–3.543; p = 0.001), and intravesical recurrence (OR, 5.097; 95% CI, 3.225–8.056; p < 0.001) were associated with UTUC after BCG therapy. In conclusion, patients with subsequent UTUC had worse RFS, CSS, and OS than those without UTUC. Multiple bladder tumors, treatment for Connaught strain, and intravesical recurrence after BCG therapy may be predictive factors for subsequent UTUC diagnosis.

Nerve sparing may increase positive surgical margin rate during radical prostatectomy. Our objective was to analyze the positive surgical margin rate and location as well as its impact on biochemical recurrence according to nerve sparing procedure in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.We included 814 patients treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between 2009 and 2021, and evaluated the impact of nerve sparing on positive surgical margin and biochemical recurrence using logistic regression and Cox models.Unilateral nerve sparing and bilateral nerve sparing were performed in 152 (18.6%) cases and 118 (14.5%) cases, respectively. On multivariable analysis, in addition to nerve sparing, bilateral nerve sparing, but not unilateral nerve sparing was associated with an increased risk of positive surgical margin compared with non-nerve sparing. Positive surgical margin at any location increased the risk of biochemical recurrence. During unilateral nerve sparing, positive surgical margin in nerve sparing side, but not in non-nerve sparing side was associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence on multivariate analysis.Taken together, surgeons need to notice an increased risk of biochemical recurrence associated with positive surgical margin when performing nerve sparing in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, and then need to choose the patients suitable for nerve sparing.

Ribosomal S6 kinase has been shown to play a key role in cellular resistance to endocrine therapy in prostate cancer through its regulation of YB-1/androgen receptor (AR) signaling. PMD-026, an oral first-in-class small molecule kinase inhibitor, is the first identified ribosomal S6 kinase inhibitor. This study investigated the effect of PMD-026 on YB-1/AR signaling and its antitumor effect in prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Castration-resistant prostate cancer 22Rv1 cells that express high-level AR variants were used in this study. The effect of PMD-026 on YB-1/AR signaling was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. The effects of PMD-026 on prostate cancer cells were investigated by cytotoxicity analysis, apoptosis assay, and cell cycle assay in vitro and a mouse castration model in vivo. PMD-026 decreased YB-1 phosphorylation as well as AR V7 mRNA and AR variant expressions in 22Rv1 cells. PMD-026 suppressed cell proliferation alone and in combination with the second-generation antiandrogens enzalutamide and darolutamide by inducing cellular apoptosis and G2/M arrest. In a mouse xenograft model, PMD-026 suppressed tumor growth, and the combination of PMD-026 and enzalutamide inhibited tumor growth more prominently than single treatments. Our results demonstrate an excellent antitumor effect of the novel ribosomal S6 kinase inhibitor PMD-026 and the combination effect with the antiandrogen enzalutamide in castration-resistant prostate cancer. These findings warrant a clinical trial of PMD-026 in prostate cancer patients.

The US Food and Drug Administration recently defined the clinical term "bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer" as a disease state resistant to adequate bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy. There is a significant lack of prognostication for this disease even in patients who have undergone early radical cystectomy. This study aimed to identify the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in Japanese patients with bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent early radical cystectomy.Data from a large-scale multicenter retrospective study included 2879 patients with highest-risk or high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who received intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin induction therapy between January 2000 and December 2019. A total of 141 patients (4.3%) met the criteria for bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive disease, of whom 47 (33.3%) underwent early radical cystectomy. Prognostic factors for three clinical endpoints, namely, unresectable lesion-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival, were identified.The highest-risk status at induction bacillus Calmette-Guérin was associated with short unresectable lesion-free survival (hazard ratio 7.85; P 0.05), cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 12.24; P 0.05), and overall survival (hazard ratio 9.25; P 0.01). Moreover, extravesical tumors (pathological T3 or T4) on the radical cystectomy specimens were associated with poor prognosis and were found at a higher rate in patients with the highest-risk status at induction bacillus Calmette-Guérin than in those with high-risk status (35.7% vs 21.2%).The highest-risk status among the pre-bacillus Calmette-Guérin factors was associated with upstaging to extravesical tumors and poor prognosis despite early radical cystectomy procedures. Appropriate decision-making and the correct timing of radical cystectomy are vital to avoid treatment delays and improve outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIM To explore the prognostic value of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with newly diagnosed regional lymph node-positive prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS The prognostic value of LUTS for progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival, as well as the differential prognostic impact of radiotherapy by LUTS was investigated. RESULTS Univariate Cox-model analysis showed a statistically significantly increased hazard risk for PFS and OS for men with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)≥19 and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥8 at diagnosis. Patients with lower IPSS had a better PFS at 5 years (70.0% vs. 51.9%, p=0.027) and OS at 5 year (89.3% vs. 73.6%, p=0.016). Similarly, a lower OABSS was associated with greater PFS at 5 years (67.4% vs. 23.4%, p

This study aimed to evaluate the pathological findings and oncological outcomes of deferred radical prostatectomy in patients who initially elected for active surveillance in a Japanese cohort. We retrospectively analyzed data collected from a multi-institutional prospective observational cohort of the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance-JAPAN study between January 2010 and September 2020. Triggers for radical prostatectomy were disease progression based on pathological findings of repeat biopsy and patients’ request. The primary end point was evaluation of prostate-specific antigen recurrence-free survival. Secondary end points were overall survival and comparison of pathological and oncological outcomes between patients stratified into immediate or late radical prostatectomy group by time to radical prostatectomy. Overall, 162 patients (15.7%) with prostate cancer underwent initial active surveillance followed by radical prostatectomy. The median time to radical prostatectomy was 18 months (interquartile range 14–43.3), and the median postoperative follow-up was 32 months (interquartile range 14–57.5). Prostate-specific antigen recurrence was observed in eight patients (4.9%). The 3-year prostate-specific antigen recurrence-free survival rate was 96.9%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 100%; however, one patient died of another cause. There were no significant differences in pathological findings between immediate and late radical prostatectomy groups. No significant difference in prostate-specific antigen recurrence-free survival was found between the two groups (log-rank p = 0.34). Radical prostatectomy after active surveillance, as an initial treatment option, does not lead to loss of curative chances in Japanese patients with early-stage prostate cancer in the short follow-up period.

Objectives To investigate the impact of the number of cycles and objective response to chemotherapy on overall survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab. Methods This multicenter, retrospective study included 755 patients from 59 institutions with advanced, chemoresistant urothelial carcinoma who received pembrolizumab. The associations of the overall survival with the number of cycles and best objective response were investigated using Cox multiple regression analysis. Results Overall, 391 patients received standard first-line chemotherapy and pembrolizumab as a second-line treatment, and were included in the final analysis. Of the 391 patients, 185 received less than four cycles, 134 received four to six cycles and 72 received more than six cycles of first-line chemotherapy. An objective response (complete or partial response) to chemotherapy was observed in 145 patients (37.1%). Univariate analysis showed that the overall survival of patients who received more than six cycles or responded to chemotherapy (complete or partial response) was significantly longer than that of patients who received less than four cycles or did not respond to chemotherapy (stable or progressive disease). At multivariate levels, no correlations were observed between overall survival and the number of cycles of or the response to chemotherapy. Conclusions Therapeutic benefit of pembrolizumab can be expected irrespective of the objective response to and number of cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a large family of calcium- and phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases that consists of at least 11 isozymes. Based on their structural characteristics and mode of activation, the PKC family is classified into three subfamilies: conventional or classic (cPKCs; α, βI, βII, and γ), novel or non-classic (nPKCs; δ, ε, η, and θ), and atypical (aPKCs; ζ, ι, and λ) (PKCλ is the mouse homolog of PKCι) PKC isozymes. PKC isozymes play important roles in proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and anticancer drug resistance in cancer cells. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between PKC isozymes and poor disease-free survival, poor survival following anticancer drug treatment, and increased recurrence. Furthermore, a higher level of PKC activation has been reported in cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues. These data suggest that PKC isozymes represent potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge and discusses the potential of PKC isozymes as biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancers.

To investigate the association between the onset, severity, and type of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with platinum-pretreated advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC), we retrospectively collected clinical datasets of 755 patients and conducted landmark analysis. Patients who survived for fewer than 3 months were excluded from the evaluation to reduce the immortal time bias. In total, 620 patients were evaluated, of whom 220 patients (35.5%) experienced grade ≥2 irAEs, including 134 patients with grade 2 irAEs and 86 with grade ≥3 irAEs. Propensity score matching extracted 198 patients with and without grade ≥2 irAEs. The onset of grade ≥2 irAEs was associated with longer median progression-free survival (PFS) (8.3 months vs. 4.5 months, p = 0.003) and overall survival (OS) (20.4 months vs. 14.3 months, p = 0.031) and a higher objective response rate (ORR) (44.8% vs. 30.2%, p = 0.004). Patients with grade 2 irAEs had significantly better oncological outcomes (PFS, OS, and ORR) than grade ≤1 and ≥3 irAEs. Patients with grade ≥3 irAEs had worse outcomes than grade 2 irAEs. Endocrine and skin irAEs were related with better survival outcomes, and the rate of severities was lower in these categories. In conclusion, the occurrence of irAEs, particularly low-grade irAEs, was predictive of pembrolizumab efficacy in patients with platinum-pretreated advanced UC.

This study evaluated the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Japanese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-ELD14 and measured the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of elderly Japanese patients with cancer aged ≥ 60 and ≥ 70 years.The study recruited elderly Japanese patients with cancer aged ≥ 60 (≥ 70) years (n = 1803 [n = 1236]). The EORTC QLQ-ELD14 was evaluated for reliability, validity, responsiveness, and correlations of changes in score between the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 and the EORTC QLQ-C30 before and after the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic.In both age groups, the proportion of missing items was low ( 3%). Cronbach's α was good at ≥ 0.70, except for two of the seven items. All the intraclass coefficient constants were good at ≥ 0.70. The concurrent validity was good but correlation with the EORTC QLQ-C30 was not strong, except for the hypothesis items. Regarding the assessment of responsiveness, only one item ("maintaining purpose") of the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 worsened (- 6.14 ± 29.20, standard response of mean 0.2) after the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes in score between the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 and the "global health status/QOL" and "summary score" of the EORTC QLQ-C30 had moderate-to-high negative correlations for all items, except two. Hypotheses to evaluate construct validity were accepted at 90%, while responsiveness was accepted at 80%.The Japanese version of the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 questionnaire appears to have acceptable reliability, validity, and responsiveness to evaluate HRQOL in elderly Japanese people with cancer.

To investigate the impact of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) on urinary incontinence (UI) at early post-surgery robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Patients who underwent RARP without cavernous nerve sparing were included between 2014 and 2019. Patient data were obtained prospectively. The associations between ePLND and postoperative urinary continence were defined as a maximum of one daily pad use. International prostate symptom score (IPSS) was examined. Expression of synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in perilymph node adipose tissue (PLA) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.In total, 186 and 163 patients underwent RARP with and without ePLND. Urinary continence rate at 1 month postoperatively among patients with ePLND was lower than those without ePLND (24.1% vs. 35.1%, p 0.05), however, not significantly different at 3, 6, and 12 months after RARP (57.4 vs. 62.6%, 73.1 vs. 74.2%, and 83.0 vs. 81.2%, respectively). Total and voiding plus postvoiding IPSS scores at 1 month were higher in patients with ePLND than in those without ePLND (14.5 ± 0.5 vs. 13.6 ± 0.6, 7.0 ± 0.3 vs. 6.2 ± 0.4, respectively, p 0.05). In univariate and multivariate analyses, larger prostate volume and ePLND were factors associated with an increased UI rate. Among patients who underwent ePLND, synaptophysin and TH-positive nerve fibers were detected in PLA.Detection of synaptophysin and TH-immunopositive nerves suggested denervation of sympathetic and peripheral nerves caused by ePLND might be associated with a higher UI rate and poor urinary symptoms at an early stage after RARP.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate whether oncological outcomes of radical prostatectomy differ depending on adherence to the criteria in patients who opt for active surveillance. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of 1035 patients enrolled in a prospective cohort of the PRIAS-JAPAN study. After applying the exclusion criteria, 136 of 162 patients were analyzed. Triggers for radical prostatectomy due to pathological reclassification on repeat biopsy were defined as on-criteria. Off-criteria triggers were defined as those other than on-criteria triggers. Unfavorable pathology on radical prostatectomy was defined as pathological ≥T3, ≥GS 4 + 3 and pathological N positivity. We compared the pathological findings on radical prostatectomy and prostate-specific antigen recurrence-free survival between the two groups. The off-criteria group included 35 patients (25.7%), half of whom received radical prostatectomy within 35 months. Results There were significant differences in median prostate-specific antigen before radical prostatectomy between the on-criteria and off-criteria groups (6.1 vs. 8.3 ng/ml, P = 0.007). The percentage of unfavorable pathologies on radical prostatectomy was lower in the off-criteria group than that in the on-criteria group (40.6 vs. 31.4%); however, the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.421). No significant difference in prostate-specific antigen recurrence-free survival was observed between the groups during the postoperative follow-up period (median: 36 months) (log-rank P = 0.828). Conclusions Half of the off-criteria patients underwent radical prostatectomy within 3 years of beginning active surveillance, and their pathological findings were not worse than those of the on-criteria patients.

Background The benefits of pembrolizumab in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) and impaired performance status (PS) remain unknown. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with platinum‐refractory UC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS ≥2 to identify which subgroups may benefit from this drug. Methods This retrospective nationwide cohort study collected clinicopathological information for 755 patients from 59 institutions. The overall response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS) were compared among the patients with PS 0–1, 2, and 3–4. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify factors predicting OS in patients with PS ≥2. Results The numbers of patients with PS 0–1, 2, and 3–4 were 602, 98, and 55, respectively; the ORRs in these groups were 29.5, 15.3, and 9.1%, respectively, and the median OS times were 14.3, 3.1, and 2.4 months, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, a neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥3.5 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.897) and liver metastasis (HR = 2.072) were associated with OS in the PS ≥2 subgroup. The median OS of patients with PS ≥2 without either risk factor was 6.8 months, compared with 3.1 months for patients with one risk factor and 2.3 months for patients with both risk factors. Conclusions PS ≥2 portended worse ORR and OS than PS ≤1 despite a comparable safety profile. Among the patients with impaired PS, patients with NLR, Among patients who received pembrolizumab to treat urothelial carcinoma, those with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2 exhibited worse overall response rates and overall survival than those with performance status ≤1 despite their comparable safety profiles. Among the patients with impaired performance status, those with a neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio

OBJECTIVES To identify predictors of renal function preservation, and to compare the global and split renal function outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. METHODS Demographic, operative and pathological data, as well as renal function outcomes, of 251 patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 104) and robot-assisted (n = 147) partial nephrectomy between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (1:1) was carried out to adjust for potential baseline confounders. Functional outcomes were assessed based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate and dynamic renal scintigraphy (using 99m Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine), including renal volumetric analysis. RESULTS A total of 98 patients were allocated to each partial nephrectomy group. Ischemic (laparoscopic vs robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: 29 vs 15 min, P

Background: Chronic kidney disease is frequently associated with persistent inflammation, which results in fibrosis in the stroma, a reduced number of renal tubules, the formation of multiple cystic lesions, ultimately terminating in renal failure and hemodialysis. Given the high incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in hemodialysis patients, suggesting a relationship between tissue remodeling by chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. However, little is known about the genetic background of cancer development from remaining tubules and cystic lesions in hemodialysis patients. Method: We enrolled 5 patients under hemodialysis who were accompanied by acquired cystic kidney disease and underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC. Surgical specimens were fixed with alcohol-based solution and paraffin-embedded, and after H&E staining, subjected to laser capture microdissection (LCM) to collect remaining tubules and cysts containing approximately 200 cells. DNA was extracted and analyzed for somatic mutations and copy number alteration by whole-exome sequencing. Result: In total, we collected 161 LCM samples, including 118 from proximal tubules, 17 from collecting ducts, and 26 from cysts. Median variant allele frequencies of detected mutations were 0.237 in proximal tubules, 0.133 in collecting duct, and 0.381 in cysts, indicating larger clonal expansion in proximal tubules and cysts than in collecting ducts. Proximal tubules and cysts contained recurrent mutations in FAT1 (11% and 8%, respectively), STAG2 (5% and 8%), and PTEN (3% and 4%), whereas no recurrent driver mutations were identified in collecting ducts. In copy number analysis, 26% of proximal tubules, 35% of collecting ducts, and 80% of cysts had copy number alterations. Of note, samples from cysts had more copy number alterations compared to remaining tubules (on average, 2.3 vs. 1.1). Proximal tubules had recurrent copy number gains of chromosomes 3, 7, 10, 18, and 20, and loss of chromosome 22 and samples from collecting ducts showed gains of chromosome 7 and loss of chromosome 18. In cysts, gains of chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 10, 12, and 16 and loss of chromosomes 15, 16, 21, and 22 were frequently observed. Copy number profile in cysts was similar to that of papillary RCC and acquired cystic disease-associated RCC. Conclusion: In the end-stage cystic kidney, proximal tubules and cysts showed an enrichment of driver mutations commonly found in papillary RCC and RCC with acquired cystic disease, reflecting the fact that the incidence of these two types of RCC increases as the duration of dialysis becomes longer. In addition, clear cell RCC drivers, such as VHL mutation and loss of chromosome 3, were not observed, possibly explaining the rare occurrence of clear cell RCC in hemodialysis patients. Since cysts had more frequent copy number alterations than remaining tubules, cysts in the end-stage kidney might be precursor lesions of RCC. Citation Format: Kosuke Ieiri, Nobuyuki Kakiuchi, Tomonori Hirano, Tomomi Nishimura, Koichi Watanabe, Hiroko Tanaka, Satoru Miyano, Dai Takamatsu, Keisuke Monji, Eiji Kashiwagi, Masaki Shiota, Junichi Inokuchi, Masatoshi Eto, Seishi Ogawa. Genomic analysis of end-stage renal disease [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6066.

We investigated the efficacy and safety profiles of 4-weekly docetaxel for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Patients treated with ≥2 courses of docetaxel chemotherapy (median, 70 mg/m2) betwee...

Salvage radical prostatectomy is a therapeutic option for the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radiotherapy. However, only one case report of salvage radical prostatectomy after carbon ion radiotherapy has been reported. We report a case of salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for local recurrence of prostate cancer after carbon ion radiotherapy with surgical video. Owing to adhesion and degeneration after radiotherapy, difficulties in surgery and post-operative complications have been anticipated. However, surgery was feasible without severe peri- and post-operative complications. Salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy after carbon ion radiotherapy may be a reasonable therapeutic option. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13691-020-00464-w.

Enzalutamide is approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Adverse effects (e.g., fatigue and anorexia) are often observed and cause difficulty with continuous therapy; however, no clinical data describing which patients are more likely to suffer adverse effects were observed. Therefore, this study hypothesized that body composition, comprising body fat distribution and psoas muscle volume, may affect the occurrence of subjective symptoms (e.g., fatigue and anorexia) in prostate cancer patients treated with enzalutamide.Adverse effects, especially fatigue, anorexia, insomnia, and pain, were retrospectively evaluated by CTCAE v4.0 criteria. Sixty-seven prostate cancer patients treated with enzalutamide were enrolled, and body fat, visceral fat percentage, and psoas muscle ratio (psoas muscle, in cubic centimeter/height, in meters) were calculated using computed tomography images evaluated before enzalutamide, with SYNAPSE VINCENT software. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with adverse effects.Univariate analysis showed that high psoas muscle ratio was significantly associated with fatigue (grade ≥ 2; odds ratio, 3.875; 95% confidence interval, 1.016-17.134;Psoas muscle ratio is a predictive marker of fatigue and anorexia in patients treated with enzalutamide.

Semen comprises prostatic fluid and seminal vesicle fluid, and seminal vesicle fluid contains various factors such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), zinc, and testosterone, which play important roles in sperm motility. It is not known whether these factors affect erectile function. In this study, we investigated factors in seminal vesicle fluid that may affect erectile function.After receiving institutional review board approval, we collected seminal vesicle fluid samples from 134 Japanese patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. We examined the relationship between the results of the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), erection hardness score, an original questionnaire on the presence or absence of sexual desire, and concentrations of several factors in seminal vesicle fluid (testosterone, PGE2, transforming growth factor β1, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), as well as the serum testosterone level.Median participant age was 67 (range 51-77) years. Median concentrations were as follows: seminal vesicle testosterone 1.85 (range 0.17-4.32) ng/ml and serum testosterone 4.60 (range 1.75-10.82) ng/ml. When the SHIM score was divided into two groups, seminal vesicle testosterone concentration was significantly increased (p = 0.002) in participants with a SHIM score ≥17, and no significant difference was observed in serum testosterone levels (p = 0.661). Multivariate analysis revealed that seminal vesicle testosterone was significantly correlated with the SHIM score (≥17 vs.17; odds ratio 2.137, 95% confidence interval 1.148-3.978, p = 0.016).Testosterone levels in seminal vesicle fluid can reflect erectile function in patients with prostate cancer, suggesting that seminal vesicle testosterone is very important for male erectile function.

Although Y‐box binding protein‐1 (YB‐1) is known to be overexpressed in prostate cancer, especially castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the mechanism of its overexpression remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of YB‐1 overexpression in CRPC. Gene amplification in CRPC cells and tissues was examined by public database analysis, and digital PCR. The significance of YB‐1 amplification for the YB‐1/androgen receptor (AR) axis and prognosis was examined by public database analysis and immunohistochemistry. YB‐1 amplification was mainly observed in CRPC tissues by public database analysis and confirmed in CRPC cells and tissues by digital PCR. Expression of YB‐1 was increased in CRPC tissues compared with treatment‐naïve tissues. Furthermore, YB‐1 and phosphorylated YB‐1 levels were associated with AR and AR V7 expression levels. Finally, YB‐1 amplification was associated with poor outcomes in CRPC. Taken together, the present findings suggest that YB‐1 amplification contributes to progression to CRPC through regulation of AR and AR V7 expressions, and that YB‐1 is a promising therapeutic target in CRPC., Y‐box binding protein‐1 (YB‐1) amplification was observed in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and associated with an augmented androgen receptor signaling and poor prognosis. Taken together, the present findings suggest that YB‐1 amplification contributes to progression to CRPC, and that YB‐1 is a promising therapeutic target in CRPC.

We analyzed the association between smoking and oncological outcome after radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. This study included men who had undergone radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy between 2003 and 2016. We evaluated the association between clinicopathological factors and smoking status as well as the prognostic significance of smoking status in biochemical recurrence. The patients' backgrounds were comparable between smokers and nonsmokers. Smoking status were identified as significant risk factors of biochemical recurrence. Smoking was a risk factor of biochemical recurrence, suggesting that smoking may promote cancer recurrence after surgical treatment combined with hormonal therapy.

Objectives To assess the impact of antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome after bicalutamide withdrawal in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with androgen receptor-axis targeted agents. Methods The study cohort comprised 94 patients treated with abiraterone (n = 34) or enzalutamide (n = 60) as a first-line androgen receptor-axis targeted agent for castration-resistant prostate cancer despite combined androgen blockade by castration with bicalutamide as the first-line therapy. The association between clinicopathological factors (including antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome) and therapeutic outcome after using abiraterone and enzalutamide was investigated. Results The decline in the prostate-specific antigen level after use of abiraterone or enzalutamide was comparable between patients with and without antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome. Antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome (hazard ratio 3.84, 95% confidence interval 1.29-11.45; P = 0.016) was associated with a higher risk of progression on multivariate analysis, but not all-cause death after abiraterone use. Progression-free survival and overall survival after enzalutamide use did not differ between patients with and without antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome. Conclusions The present data suggest a modest therapeutic efficacy of abiraterone in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with anti-androgen withdrawal syndrome after bicalutamide withdrawal.

We investigated the relationship between the surgical navigation system and postoperative parenchyma preservation volume, and assessed the feasibility of image guided surgery in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.We developed surgical navigation with registration between real-time endoscopic images using 3-dimensional virtual reality models for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Surgical outcomes of 44 (nonsurgical navigation group) and 102 (surgical navigation group) patients between June 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. To adjust for potential baseline confounders propensity score matching (1:1) was performed. Renal parenchymal preservation rate and extraparenchymal volume with a tumor including functional and oncological outcomes ("trifecta" defined as warm ischemia time of less than 25 minutes, no complications and negative surgical margins; "pentafecta" defined as trifecta plus greater than 90% preservation of estimated glomerular filtration rate at 12 months postoperatively and chronic kidney disease up staging) were evaluated using volumetric analysis and compared.After matching, 42 patients were allocated to each group. No significant differences in baseline characteristics; complications; and intraoperative, trifecta and pentafecta outcomes were observed between the 2 groups. Pathological T stages were significantly different between the groups (T1a/T1b/T2a or more 25/10/7 in the nonsurgical navigation group vs 35/7/0 in the surgical navigation group, p=0.003). Extraparenchymal volumes and parenchyma volume preservation rates were significantly higher in the surgical navigation group (21.4 vs 17.2 ml, p=0.041 and 83.5% vs 90.0%, p=0.042, respectively). Surgical navigation was positively associated with improved parenchyma preservation volume (p=0.003).Surgical navigation preserves renal parenchyma in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and may contribute to improvement in postoperative renal function.

Background Eradication of persistent androgen receptor (AR) activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer may be a promising strategy to overcome castration resistance. We aimed to identify novel compounds that inhibit AR activity and could be potential therapeutic agents for prostate cancer. Methods A high-throughput screening system involving cell lines stably expressing AR protein and AR-responsive luciferase was employed for the 1260 compound library. Molecular and antitumor effects on candidate pathways that interacted with AR signaling were examined in prostate cancer cells expressing AR. Results The high-throughput screening identified various potential compounds that interfered with AR signaling through known and novel pathways. Among them, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 5A (5-HT5A) receptor antagonist suppressed AR activity through protein kinase A signaling, which was confirmed by 5-HT5A receptor knockdown. Consistently, 5-HT5A receptor inhibitors showed cytotoxic effects toward prostate cancer cells. Conclusions Taken together, this study identifies 5-HT5A receptor as a promising therapeutic target for prostate cancer via its interaction with AR signaling.