Immunotherapy With Checkpoint Inhibitors in FGFR-Altered Urothelial Carcinoma

The treatment landscape of metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) remained unchanged for over 30 years until the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in 2016. Since then, several ICIs have been approved for the treatment of mUC. In addition, recent molecular characterization of bladder cancer has revealed several subtypes, including those harboring fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) mutations and fusion proteins. Erdafitinib, a pan-FGFR inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of metastatic/advanced UC in 2019. Some available evidence suggests ICI may have inferior response in advanced FGFR+ UC for unclear reasons, but may possibly be related to the tumor microenvironment. Several ongoing trials are evaluating erdafitinib in metastatic/advanced UC including the ongoing phase IB/II NORSE trial combining erdafitinib plus ICI, which may prove to offer a more robust and durable response in patients with FGFR+ metastatic/advanced UC.

Immune-Related Meningoencephalitis following Nivolumab in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

While immunotherapy with nivolumab is promising for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), overactivation of the immune system can lead to serious side effects. Immune-related meningoencephalitis without a viral or microbial etiology is a rare complication that may occur in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). Herein, we report a 66-year-old man who underwent a partial nephrectomy which revealed a papillary RCC with clear cell component. Three years later, an abdomen and pelvic CT revealed metastatic lesions in the left psoas muscle and in the left 12th rib. The patient was treated with pazopanib which was discontinued after 2 weeks due to significant hepatic and renal toxicity. He subsequently started sunitinib. Two months later, a chest, abdomen, and pelvic CT demonstrated progressive metastatic RCC in the retroperitoneal mass of the left psoas muscle and paraspinal musculature as well as a left renal mass. The patient was treated with 7 cycles of the CPI nivolumab. He was subsequently hospitalized for 3 weeks after experiencing bilateral lower extremity weakness, lethargy, several falls, hyperthermia, confusion, and gait abnormalities. A CSF analysis demonstrated a lymphocyte pleocytosis with elevated protein and no bacterial or viral growth. The patient was treated with high-dose steroids after which his symptoms resolved. Chest, abdomen, and pelvic CT scans over the next 3 years revealed no evidence of metastatic disease, reflecting a progression-free survival of 40 months. We highlight the unique case of a patient with metastatic RCC who experienced immune-related meningoencephalitis following immunotherapy with nivolumab. Medical oncologists should be alert to the potential development of immune-related encephalitis in patients treated with nivolumab and should promptly diagnose and treat this concerning condition. The excellent oncologic outcome of this case emphasizes the need for continued aggressive measures for management of CNS toxicity resulting from CPI therapy.

Concurrent renal cell carcinoma and hematologic malignancies: Nine case reports

BACKGROUND

The presence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hematologic malignancies (HM) in the same patient is rarely observed. Three primary findings have been described in these patients, including male gender and lymphoid malignancy predominance, and the HM are usually diagnosed before or simultaneously with the RCC. There is a lack of evidence about clinical outcomes in this setting. We report the common characteristics of 9 patients diagnosed with concurrent RCC and HM and their clinical course and response to treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

Four (44%) patients were diagnosed with RCC prior to the HM, the diagnosis was simultaneous in 4 (44%) patients, and 1 (11%) patient was diagnosed with the HM prior to the RCC. No patients were treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation between the diagnosis of RCC and HM. Several unique features were seen in our case series, such as 3 simultaneous cancers in 1 (11%) patient, a splenectomy leading to remission of diffuse large B cell lymphoma without the use of chemotherapy in 1 (11%) patient, chemotherapy and rituximab for lymphoma resulting in a complete response in primary RCC in 1 (11%) patient, and immunotherapy providing an excellent response for primary renal leiomyosarcoma in 1 (11%) patient.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential role of immune system dysregulation in patients with the diagnosis of RCC and HM whereby the first malignancy predisposes to the second through an immunomodulatory effect. HM have the potential of being confused with lymph node metastasis from kidney cancer. Lymph node biopsy may be necessary at the time of initial diagnosis or in cases of mixed response to therapy. Long-term medical surveillance is warranted when a patient is diagnosed with RCC or HM. Clinicians should be aware of the higher prevalence of male gender and lymphoid malignancy with concurrent RCC and HM and that either of these conditions may be diagnosed first or they may be diagnosed simultaneously.

Spontaneous Regression of Delayed Pulmonary and Mediastinal Metastases from Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is often metastatic at diagnosis. Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy have generally proven ineffective in the treatment of RCC. The abscopal effect, specifically, the ability of localized radiation to trigger systemic antitumor effects, has been reported to lead to regression of non-irradiated distant tumor lesions. Herein, we report 3 patients with non-metastatic clear cell RCC (CCRCC) who underwent a nephrectomy and experienced metachronous pulmonary/mediastinal metastases confirmed as CCRCC. No patients underwent radiation post-nephrectomy or pulmonary metastasectomy. The mean duration was 7.24 weeks from the last negative chest CT prior to the nephrectomy and 96.2 weeks post-nephrectomy. All patients achieved durable complete response by RECIST criteria, with a mean follow-up duration of 115 months. Our case series represents the largest in the literature of patients who underwent a nephrectomy for CCRCC with no pre-existing pulmonary/mediastinal metastatic disease confirmed by chest CT, did not undergo radiotherapy, and developed significantly delayed CCRCC pulmonary/mediastinal metastases. We highlight the spontaneous regression of delayed metastatic disease and the role of immune responses in curtailing the growth of pulmonary metastasis in CCRCC.

Outcomes of Patients with Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma after Anti-programmed Death-(ligand) 1 Therapy by Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Gene Alteration Status: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Clinical outcomes of anti-programmed death‑(ligand) 1 (anti-PD-[L]1) therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) and fibroblast growth factor receptor alterations (FGFRa+) remain unclear; recent studies have reported either comparable or poorer outcomes versus patients without FGFR alterations (FGFRa-).

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcomes of patients with mUC and any FGFRa (mutations or fusions) who received anti-PD-(L)1 therapy.

DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

In this noninterventional, retrospective, multicenter study, clinical practice data were collected from FGFRa+/- patients who received prior immunotherapy between May 2018 and July 2019.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Investigator‑determined overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and overall survival (OS) were assessed in multivariate and unadjusted analyses.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Ninety-four patients (66% men; median age, 63 yr) with mUC and known FGFR status were included; 38 (40%) were FGFRa+ and 56 (60%) were FGFRa-. In FGFRa+ versus FGFRa- patients who received any line of anti-PD-(L)1 therapy (n = 92), ORR, DCR, and OS were 16% versus 26%, 29% versus 52% (relative risk: 1.14 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.92-1.40]; p = 0.3), and 8.57 versus 13.2 mo (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.33 [95% CI, 0.77-2.30]; p = 0.3), respectively. A multivariate analysis provided some evidence supporting shorter OS in FGFRa+ versus FGFRa- (any line of anti-PD-L[1] therapy; HR: 1.81 [95% CI, 0.99-3.31]; p = 0.054). Limitations include this study's retrospective nature and a potential selection bias from small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

Some evidence of lower response rates and shortened OS following anti-PD-(L)1 therapy was observed in FGFRa+ patients. The phase 3 THOR study (NCT03390504) will prospectively compare FGFRa+ patients with advanced mUC treated with erdafitinib versus pembrolizumab.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma and prespecified fibroblast growth factor receptor alterations (FGFRa) potentially have worse clinical outcomes when treated with anti-PD-(L)1 therapy than those without FGFRa.

Personalized chemotherapy in clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra: A case report

BACKGROUND

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra is a rare type of aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Clear cell carcinoma of the urethra represents less than 0.02% of all malignancies in women. Adenocarcinomas account for 10% of female urethral carcinomas, of which 40% are the clear cell variant. Determining the presence or absence of certain mutations through genetic testing may predict whether a patient with cancer may benefit from a particular chemotherapy regimen.

CASE SUMMARY

A 40-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of slow urinary flow and a 3-mo history of urinary urgency and frequency as well as gross hematuria. An abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scan demonstrated enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen and pelvis. A biopsy of a left inguinal lymph node microscopically confirmed a metastatic adenocarcinoma of the urethra. Specialized genetic testing determined personalized chemotherapy. She was treated successfully with a non-platinum-based chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel and bevacizumab. Following 3 cycles of paclitaxel and bevacizumab, she attained significant clinical improvement, and response by FDG-Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging showed a definite improvement in size and metabolic activity. She achieved complete response after 6 cycles of therapy by PET scan. The patient concluded 11 cycles of paclitaxel and bevacizumab, and a subsequent PET scan confirmed progression of metastatic disease. The patient was then treated with two cycles of doxorubicin after which a PET scan revealed a mixed response to the treatment.

CONCLUSION

We report the first case of a patient with metastatic clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra who underwent personalized chemotherapy after testing for cancer gene alterations. Our unique case represents the safe and effective use of non-platinum-based chemotherapy in clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra.

Thromboembolic events in metastatic testicular cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is the most curable solid tumor and most common cancer among men 18-39 years. While cisplatin-based chemotherapy has significantly lengthened the survival of patients with TGCT, it is associated with a high rate of thromboembolic events (TEE).

AIM

To summarize our single-center experience highlighting patients who were diagnosed with TGCT and received platinum-based chemotherapy, with special attention to those patients who suffered a TEE.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the medical records and imaging studies of 68 consecutive individuals who were diagnosed with TGCT and received platinum-based chemotherapy at our Institution in a metropolitan community between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 19 (28%) patients experienced a TEE following orchiectomy which occurred during chemotherapy in 13 (68%) of these patients. Patients with a higher pathologic stage (stage III) were significantly (P = 0.023) more likely to experience a TEE compared to patients who had a lower stage. Additionally, patients who were treated with 3 cycles of bleomycine, etoposide, and cisplatin and 1 cycle of etoposide and cisplatin or 4 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin were significantly 5 (P = 0.02) times more likely to experience a TEE compared to patients who were treated with only 3 cycles of bleomycine, etoposide, and cisplatin.

CONCLUSION

Due to numerous factors that predispose to a TEE such as large retroperitoneal disease, higher clinical stage, greater number of chemotherapy cycle, central venous catheter, cigarette smoking, and possible cannabis use, high-risk ambulatory patients with TGCT treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy may benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation. Randomized studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prophylactic anticoagulants are warranted in this young patient population generally devoid of medical co-morbidities.

Late recurrence of localized pure seminoma in prostate gland: A case report

BACKGROUND

Late relapses of early-stage germ cell tumors are rare. Most patients (-85%) with stage I seminoma are cured by radical orchiectomy. The detection of late relapse is challenging given the relative rarity of this phenomenon, and the fact that patients who have completed surveillance are usually not undergoing regular oncologic workup nor imaging. While many treatment options do exist for a patient with late relapse of seminoma, surgery is typically the mainstay as these tumors are generally thought to be more chemo-resistant.

CASE SUMMARY

In this article, we describe the management of a patient with an early-stage pure seminoma who was subsequently identified to have a recurrence two decades later. We provide a review of the literature not only focused on clinical factors and biology, but also the management of late recurrences specifically in pure seminoma and in prostate gland.

CONCLUSION

There is a paucity of data and treatment recommendations for this clinical entity, and a multidisciplinary approach emphasizing subspecialty expert consultation and patient education is imperative.

The Role of Maximal TURBT in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Balancing Benefits in Bladder Preservation and Beyond

Radical cystectomy with lymph node dissection and urinary diversion is the gold-standard treatment for non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, in patients who refuse cystectomy, or in whom cystectomy carries a high risk, bladder-preserving therapies remain potential options. Bladder preservation therapies can include maximal debulking transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), concurrent chemoradiation therapy, followed by cystoscopy to assess response. At this time, maximal TURBT is recommended for patients prior to the initiation of chemoradiation therapy or in patients with residual bladder tumors after the completion of chemoradiation therapy. That being said, TURBT carries significant risks such as bladder perforation, bleeding, and infection, ultimately risking delayed systemic treatment. Hence, understanding its role within trimodal therapy is crucial to avoid undue suffering in patients. Herein, we review the current literature on the impact of debulking TURBT in non-metastatic MIBC.

Supplement Use and Increased Risks of Cancer: Unveiling the Other Side of the Coin

There is a rising trend in the consumption of dietary supplements, especially among adults, with the purpose of improving health. While marketing campaigns tout the potential health benefits of using dietary supplements, it is critical to evaluate the potential harmful effects associated with these supplements as well. The majority of the scarce research on the potential harmful effects of vitamins focuses on the acute or chronic toxicities associated with the use of dietary supplements. Quality research is still required to further investigate the risks of long-term use of dietary supplements, especially the risk of developing cancers. The present review concentrates on studies that have investigated the association between the risk of developing cancers and associated mortality with the risk of dietary supplements. Such an association has been reported for several vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements. Even though several of these studies come with their own shortcomings and critics, they must draw attention to further investigate long-term adverse effects of dietary supplements and advise consumers and healthcare providers to ponder the extensive use of dietary supplements.

A comparative study of spinal cord compression management in metastatic prostate cancer: Teaching versus non-teaching hospitals in the United States

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord compression (SCC) in metastatic prostate cancer (MPC) is a critical complication and multiple factors influence the optimal therapeutic strategy. We investigated the differences in practice patterns between teaching hospitals (TH) and non-teaching hospitals (NTH) across the United States.

METHOD

Using the National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS), we performed a retrospective study on hospitalizations with MPC and SCC between 2016 and 2020 in US. We compared demographic factors, comorbidities, treatment modalities, duration of hospitalization, financial expenditures, and mortality between TH and NTH. We also examined the patients' characteristics and outcomes in TH and NTH based on their chosen therapeutic strategy.

RESULTS

We identified 11,380 admissions with metastatic prostate cancer and SCC; 9610 in TH and 1770 in NTH. The median cost of hospitalization was $21,922 in TH and $15,141 in NTH. Although the median age and Charlson comorbidity score did not differ between two groups, patients in TH were more likely to receive intervention (radiation or surgery) compared to NTH (Surgery: 28.2% in TH vs. 23.0% in NTH & Radiation: 12.1% in TH vs. 8.2% in NTH). Mortality was lower in TH than NTH (4.5% vs. 7.9%). In both TH and NTH, a higher proportion of patients with private insurance underwent surgery (TH: Surgery 25.1% vs. Radiation 18.8% & NTH: Surgery 27.0% vs. 6.9%). Black patients were more likely to receive radiation than surgery in TH (34.2% vs. 26.8%).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a greater percentage of patients underwent surgical intervention at TH compared to NTH. Additionally, the type of insurance and racial background were associated with distinctive treatment approaches.