Single-dose versus multiple instillations of epirubicin as prophylaxis for recurrence after transurethral resection of pTa and pT1 transitional-cell bladder tumours: a prospective, randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To compare single-dose and multiple instillations of epirubicin in the chemoprophylaxis of superficial bladder tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective randomized and controlled study, 168 evaluable patients were assigned to three groups after transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and histological confirmation of its superficial nature (pTa and pT1). The groups were comparable for tumour stage, grade and other tumour characteristics. In group 1, patients received a single dose of 50 mg epirubicin in 50 mL normal saline immediately after TURBT; group 2 received 50 mg epirubicin in 50 mL normal saline 1-2 weeks after TURBT and the instillations were repeated for 8 weeks and thereafter monthly to complete one year of treatment: group 3 (control group) received no adjuvant therapy after TURBT. The patients were assessed by cysto-urethroscopy, urine cytology and DNA flow cytometry 8 weeks after resection and then every 3 months during the first 2 years and 6 monthly thereafter during the next 2 years. Intravenous urography was performed annually and when otherwise indicated.

RESULTS

The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the patients treated with epirubicin than in the control group (24, 25 and 52%, respectively; P < 0.001). In those receiving epirubicin, the rates of recurrence were statistically comparable (P = 0.9). Patients who had a large tumour burden showed slightly lower recurrence rates with single-dose epirubicin than with delayed maintenance therapy but the difference was statistically insignificant. Patients with a history of bladder tumours before treatment had lower recurrence rates with maintenance treatment than with a single dose (34.6 and 22.6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively); again this difference was statistically insignificant. Patients with grade 3 tumours showed a marginal difference in favour of maintenance therapy. The rates of progression amongst the three groups were 5.5, 3.4 and 9.3%, respectively, with no significant differences. The overall toxicity rates were comparable in the two treated groups (22 and 25%).

CONCLUSION

With the possible exception of grade 3 tumours, single-dose immediate epirubicin is as effective as delayed maintenance therapy, with the advantage of being more cost-effective.

Bridging long ureteral defects using the Yang-Monti principle

PURPOSE

A new technique for replacing the ureter based on the Yang-Monti principle is introduced to overcome the drawbacks of the classic ileal ureter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 2001 and June 2002 ureteral replacement by ileum was indicated in 10 patients, including 9 with long or multiple strictures due to bilharzial (6), tuberculosis (3) and a low grade lower ureteral tumor (1). The technique involved isolation of a 5 to 7.5 cm. ileal segment, which was further subdivided into 2 or 3 equal parts. Paramesenteric incision along the longitudinal axis of these segments followed by unfolding resulted in a 12 to 18 cm. ileal strip. Tubularization of this strip led to the formation of an ileal tube with a suitable caliber. The latter was implanted into the bladder by submucosal (nonrefluxing) ileovesicostomy.

RESULTS

Mean followup +/- SD was 9.6 +/- 2.4 months (range 6 to 13). Mean serum creatinine remained stable in all patients. Split kidney function (mercaptoacetyltriglycine clearance) was stable in 7 cases and improved in 3. Antegrade urography revealed dynamic unidirectional nonobstructed flow. Reflux was noted in only 1 case. Excretory urography and/or magnetic resonance urography showed excellent configuration of the substitute without evidence of dilatation or obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The new technique offers certain distinct advantages. A short bowel segment is included with the consequent absence of metabolic complications. It allows construction of an ileal ureter with a suitable cross-sectional diameter without the need for tailoring and makes possible the use of an antireflux technique.

Superficial bladder tumours: analysis of prognostic factors and construction of a predictive index

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prognostic factors that could be used to predict tumour recurrence and progression, and to construct and validate a predictive index.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between June 1991 and December 2000, 533 patients (418 men and 115 women; mean age 55.4 years) underwent complete transurethral resection of histologically confirmed pTa and pT1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, after which 377 (test series) were randomized into two subsequent studies, of six groups, to receive adjuvant intravesical sequential bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and epirubicin, BCG alone, epirubicin (50 or 80 mg), adriamycin 50 mg or no adjuvant therapy. Factors potentially affecting tumour recurrence or progression were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis, i.e. tumour stage, histological grade, DNA ploidy, history of recurrence, multiplicity, size, tumour configuration, associated carcinoma in situ, recurrence at the first 3-month check cystoscopy and the use of adjuvant therapy. The regression coefficients determined by Cox regression analysis were used to construct a predictive index (PI). The algebraic sum of the regression coefficients of the factors with independent and significant association with disease-free survival for each case represented a proportional hazard score (PHS). The PI was validated in another series of 156 patients (validation series) in whom the same regression coefficients for the same significant factors as the test series were used to categorize it into three risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare the different risk categories in both test and validation series.

RESULTS

The mean (sd, range) follow-up in the test and validation series were 58 (19, 5-96) and 28.3 (14.9, 2-94) months, respectively. In the test series, tumour stage, DNA ploidy, multiplicity, history of recurrence, tumour configuration, cystoscopy result and the type of adjuvant therapy had independent significance for recurrence on multivariate analysis. For progression, the cystoscopy result, DNA ploidy and grade were the only independent and significant predictors. The ranges of PHS for the factors affecting recurrence-free and progression-free survival were 0.0-7.14 and 0.0-5.84, respectively, which were divided equally into three risk categories with significant differences on Kaplan-Meier curves and a log-rank test (P < 0.001). The three categories in the validation series were significantly different from each other and each was comparable with that in the test series.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumour stage, DNA ploidy, multiplicity, history of recurrence, tumour configuration and type of adjuvant therapy affected independently the rate of recurrence after resecting superficial bladder tumour. Recurrence at the 3-month cystoscopy, histological grade and DNA ploidy were the only predictors of progression to muscle-invasion. The PI dividing the patients into three risk groups with different treatment and follow-up strategies for recurrence and progression was reproducible in a validation series.

Secondary malignant involvement of gynecologic organs in radical cystectomy specimens in women: is it mandatory to remove these organs routinely?

PURPOSE

We report the incidence of concomitant secondary malignancy of gynecologic organs (uterus, ovaries and vagina) and the incidence of benign lesions affecting these organs in female radical cystectomy specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1983 and December 2001, 2,055 radical cystectomies were performed, including 609 in females. Pathological findings in gynecologic organs in female cystectomy specimens were reviewed. These data were correlated with different tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

Mean age of the female patients +/- SD was 47 +/- 9 years (range 20 to 73). Mean followup was 4.3 +/- 4.2 years (range 0.5 to 19). Of these women 390 (64%) had squamous cell bladder carcinoma. Gynecologic organ involvement was documented in 16 of 609 patients (2.6%). Benign ovarian lesions (49 cases or 8%), a simple serous cyst (31), a dermoid cyst (1), a hemorrhagic cyst (3), bilharzial granuloma (6) and corpus albicans (8) were detected. Benign uterine lesions (30 cases or 5%), endometrial hyperplasia (20), endometriosis (4) and fibroids (6) were diagnosed. No primary genital cancers were detected in this study. Gynecologic organ involvement was more frequent in high grade tumors and the transitional cell cancer type than low grade tumors and the squamous cell type (p = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Posterior wall tumors were more frequently associated with genital involvement than other sites, although the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence is provided that the risk of secondary malignant involvement of genital organs in female cystectomy specimens is low. This low risk together with the low risk of primary cancers of genital organs in this group of patients does not strongly support the routine removal of uninvolved gynecologic organs during radical cystectomy in women.

Intravesical epirubicin versus doxorubicin for superficial bladder tumors (stages pTa and pT1): a randomized prospective study

PURPOSE

We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled study to compare intravesical epirubicin and doxorubicin as adjuvant therapy after endoscopic resection of superficial bladder tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We randomly allocated 253 eligible patients to 4 study arms. Seven to 14 days after transurethral bladder tumor resection instillation of the intravesical agent was instituted, including 50 and 80 mg. epirubicin in study arms 1 and 2, respectively, and 50 mg. doxorubicin in arm 3. Control arm 4 included patients who underwent transurethral bladder tumor resection alone. Instillation was repeated weekly for 8 weeks and monthly thereafter to complete 1 year of treatment. All patients were followed every 3 months by cystourethroscopy, urine cytology and deoxyribonucleic acid flow cytometry for 12 to 48 months (mean 30.1).

RESULTS

Rates of recurrence were significantly lower in the chemotherapy groups than in controls (p < 0.001) and in the epirubicin groups than in the doxorubicin group (p = 0.02). In arms 1 to 4 recurrence rates were 25, 17.6, 36.7 and 65.6%, respectively. Recurrence rates per 100 patient months were 0.83, 0.60, 1.18 and 2.73, respectively, which were significant statistically, and lower after chemotherapy in general and epirubicin in particular (p < 0.05). Mean interval to first recurrence was 16, 15.4, 18.9 and 6.3 months, respectively, with a significant difference between the chemotherapy and control groups (p < 0.05). Progression to muscle invasive disease occurred in 7 (10.9%), 3 (4.4%), 6 (10%) and 5 patients (8.2%), respectively, in arms 1 to 4 (p > 0.05). We studied the relationships among different risk factors, and patterns of recurrence and progression. For pT1 tumors recurrence rates in arms 1 to 4 were 26.3, 17.8, 39.3 and 70.9%, respectively, which were significantly lower in the chemotherapy group than in controls (p < 0.001) and in the epirubicin groups than in the doxorubicin group (p = 0.01). Toxic and untoward side effects developed in 10 (15.6%), 16 (23.5%) and 25 (41.7%) patients in chemotherapy arms 1 to 3, respectively, with a marginal insignificant difference between low and high dose epirubicin (p = 0.3), and significantly lower toxicity rates in arms 1 and 2 than in 3 (p = 0.002). A contracted bladder developed in 2.1% of all patients who received chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that epirubicin has better efficacy and lower toxicity than doxorubicin when used as an intravesical agent.

Multiple arteries in live donor renal transplantation: surgical aspects and outcomes

PURPOSE

This retrospective study describes the surgical techniques and outcomes of live donor renal allografts with multiple arteries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1976 and 2000, 1,200 consecutive live donor renal transplants were done, including 1,087 with single (group 1) and 113 with multiple (group 2) arteries. Intracorporeal in situ anastomotic techniques were used for 94 grafts with multiple arteries, while ex vivo techniques were used for 19. During in situ surgery each one of the multiple arteries was anastomosed separately to an individual artery. In ex vivo surgery 2 or more arteries were joined together on the bench to form a common stem, which was then anastomosed to an iliac artery or the aorta.

RESULTS

Patient and graft survival were comparable in groups 1 and 2. The 2 groups were comparable regarding complications, including arterial bleeding, hematoma, renal artery stenosis, acute rejection, new onset hypertension, acute tubular necrosis and urological complications. Mean serum creatinine +/- SD at 1 year was 1.4 +/- 0.5 and 1.5 +/- 0.6 mg./dl., and at 5 years it was 1.8 +/- 1 and 2.1 +/- 1.4 mg./dl. for the 2 groups, respectively. The difference was only significant at 1 year (p = 0.02). Graft and patient survival, and the incidence of the described complications were comparable for the ex vivo bench anastomotic techniques and intracorporeal in situ techniques in the group with multiple renal arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of multiple arteries in renal allografts does not adversely affect patient or graft survival. It is not associated with an increased rate of complications except for significantly higher mean serum creatinine at 1 year. Extracorporeal bench surgery was as effective as intracorporeal surgery for the anastomosis of multiple renal arteries with no increase in the incidence of relevant complications.

Local Urethral Recurrence After Radical Cystectomy and Orthotopic Bladder Substitution in Women:: A Prospective Study

PURPOSE

We prospectively studied the pathological outcome and incidence of urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution in women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1995 and December 2001, 145 women with a mean age of 50 +/- 8.5 years underwent standard radical cystectomy and orthotopic substitution for bladder cancer. Histopathological examination of the cystectomy specimens was assessed by a single pathologist. Clinically evident pelvic lymphadenopathy, bladder neck and/or vaginal wall involvement, or positive intraoperative frozen section from the urethra were considered contraindications.

RESULTS

One patient died postoperatively of a massive pulmonary embolism. Followup was 12 to 97 months (mean 36, median 55.8). Pathological stage was P1, P2 (superficial muscle invasion), P3a (deep muscle invasion), P3b (perivesical fat infiltration) and P4a in 12, 29, 56, 44 and 4 patients, respectively. Grade was G1 in 61 patients, G2 in 62 and G3 in 22. Lymph nodes were positive in 28 cases and negative in 117. Histopathology of the trigone revealed carcinoma in situ in 11 cases and squamous metaplasia in 7, while results were free of disease in the remainder. At followup isolated urethral recurrence developed in 2 patients (1.4%), in whom definitive pathological findings showed P3a N1 (positive iliac lymph nodes) M0, grade 2 squamous cell carcinoma in 1 and P3b N0M0 tumor associated with trigonal carcinoma in situ in 1. Local pelvic recurrence developed in 18 patients, distant metastasis developed in 6 and the 2 conditions developed in 10. Oncological failure positively correlated with high stage, high grade and positive lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution in women is low and acceptable and, thus, it justifies the continued performance of this type of diversion. Proper selection of cases is mandatory. Close followup for oncological failure in this group of patients after cystectomy is necessary.

Renal transplantation in children with abnormal lower urinary tract

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study reports the outcomes as well as pre- and posttransplant urologic treatments of renal transplantation for children with an abnormal lower urinary tract (LUT).

METHODS

Between March 1981 and December 2001, 195 children (< or =18 years of age) received live-donor kidney transplants. The 15 recipients (14 boys and 1 girl, mean age 13.5 +/- 3 years) who had lower urinary tract disorders included posterior urethral valves (PUV) with valve bladder (n=12) and neuropathic bladders secondary to meningomyelocele (n=3). These children were evaluated by voiding cystourethrogram, cystourethroscopy, and cystometry. The children with PUV were maintained on clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and a detrusor relaxant at least 3 months before transplantation. Augmentation ileocystoplasty or continent cutaneous diversion were used in three patients. The graft and patient survivals as well as complications in this cohort was compared with a group of children with normal LUT, who underwent renal transplantation during the same period.

RESULTS

One child died in the early posttransplant period due to rupture of the external iliac artery. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 16 years (mean=4.5 years). During the same period the graft and patient survival rates were comparable between the group of children with versus without abnormal LUT. Furthermore, mean serum creatinine and creatinine clearance values were also comparable. The group with an abnormal LUT showed a higher incidence of urinary fistula (3/14) and recurrent UTI and/or bacteremia (4/14).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal transplantation is feasible with good results for children with abnormal LUT. Pre- and posttransplant urologic management is critical for a successful outcome. However these children display a high incidence of urologic and infectious complications.

Construction of predictive models for recurrence and progression in >1000 patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) from a single centre

Objective

Patients and Methods

Results

Conclusions

Vaginal repair of pouch-vaginal fistula after orthotopic bladder substitution in women

OBJECTIVE

To report the diagnosis, technique, and treatment outcome of pouch-vaginal fistula (PVF) with particular stress on the vaginal repair.

METHODS

Between January 1995 and March 2010, 298 women (mean age, 52 years) underwent orthotopic neobladder reconstruction after radical cystectomy. A standard radical cystectomy was conducted in 283 patients and genitalia-sparing cystectomy in 15. Certain modifications were adopted after 100 patients to prevent chronic urinary retention and PVF. Hautmann or hemi-Kock pouch was used. Patients were oncologically and functionally evaluated and asked about any sexual complaint. Eight PVF (2.7%) were diagnosed by voiding radiography of the pouch and preoperative endoscopy. Transabdominal repair was used in 2 patients(high, large, vaginal atrophy) and the other patients underwent a vaginal repair in nonopposing layers 3 to 6 months after cystectomy.

RESULTS

The incidence of PVF was 5 of 100 (5%) before and 3 of 198 (1.5%) after the technical modifications. In one patient, repair of the fistula was conducted in 2 stages. After repair (mean follow-up, 146 months), all repaired patients were continent during daytime and only one had nocturnal incontinence. The urodynamic parameters were comparable to these in other women undergoing orthotopic neobladder reconstruction and not having a fistula.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal repair of PVF is feasible with good functional outcome. It is recommended in low, small fistula and if postmenopausal vaginal atrophy is absent. The repair does not compromise the external urethral sphincter. However, these conclusions need to be consolidated in future studies including a larger number of patients.

Survival after primary and deferred cystectomy for stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Context:

The optimal time of cystectomy for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is controversial.

Aim:

This study aims at comparing cancer-specific survival in primary versus deferred cystectomy for T1 bladder cancer.

Settings and Design:

Between 1990 and 2004, a retrospective cohort of 204 patients was studied.

Materials and Methods:

Primary cystectomy at the diagnosis of NMIBC was performed in 134 patients (group 1) and deferred cystectomy was done after failed conservative treatment in 70 (group 2) Both groups were compared regarding patient and tumor characteristics and cancer-specific survival.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Cancer-specific survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results:

Mean follow-up was 79 and 66 months, respectively, in the two groups. Tumor multiplicity was more frequent in group 2; otherwise, both groups were comparable in all characteristics. The definitive stage was T1 in all patients. Although the 3-year (84% in group 1 vs. 79% in group 2), 5-year (78% vs. 71%) and 10-year (69% vs. 64%) cancer-specific survival rates were lower in the deferred cystectomy group, the difference was not statistically significant. In group 2, survival was significantly lower in cases undergoing more than three transurethral resections of bladder tumors (TURBT) than in cases with fewer TURBTs.

Conclusions:

Cancer-specific survival is statistically comparable for primary and deferred cystectomy in T1 bladder cancer, although there is a non-significant difference in favor of primary cystectomy. In the deferred cystectomy group, the number of TURBTs beyond three is associated with lower survival. Conservative treatment should be adopted for most cases in this category.

A magnetic device for increasing the urethral resistance to flow: an experimental study in female dogs

OBJECTIVE

To test a new magnetic device for increasing the urethral resistance to flow in a dog model, and thus provide a potential mechanical device for the treatment of incontinence in women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 12 female mongrel dogs; three dogs were used to study the effect on urethral resistance of inserting a vaginal magnet (control experiment) and five were assessed in a urodynamic study. With the animals under general anaesthesia, the bladder and the urethra were exposed by a low midline incision. One magnet, embedded in a silicon layer, was placed on the anterior side of the urethra 3 cm distal to the bladder neck and fixed with a few sutures. To increase the urethral resistance as required, a second magnet was inserted into the vagina and the device activated. Urethral pressure profiles and leak-point pressures were recorded in the anaesthetized animals under resting conditions and after the urethra was compressed between the magnets. Recordings were also made after pharmacological blockade of the urethral musculature. In four additional dogs, chronic experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of continuous compression of the urethra and the vaginal wall for 14 days.

RESULTS

Urethral compression between the magnets resulted in a doubling of the maximal pressure in the proximal urethra and in a threefold increase of the leak-point pressure. After pharmacological denervation of the urethra the differences between the control pressures and those after activating the device were even greater, although not significantly so. After 2 weeks of continuous compression of the vaginal wall and the urethra between the magnets there was no detectable tissue damage.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the magnetic device can efficiently increase urethral pressure and that prolonged compression caused no apparent damage to the urethra or vagina. It may therefore be a useful potential method of providing urinary continence in women.

Long-term Outcome of Yang-Monti Ileal Replacement of the Ureter: A Technique Suitable for Mild, Moderate Loss of Kidney Function and Solitary Kidney

OBJECTIVE

To present long-term outcome of Yang-Monti ileal ureter, with a focus on patients with mild/moderate loss of kidney function and solitary kidney.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between March 2001 and December 2019, Yang-Monti ileal ureter was performed on 36 patients with ureteric defects and median age 46.5 years. Of these, 4, 14, 15 and 3 patients had stage 1, stage 2, stage 3a and stage 4a chronic kidney disease, respectively; 6 had solitary kidney. Patients were regularly followed for complications, morphological, and functional outcome.

RESULTS

Ureteric stricture etiology was iatrogenic (16), Bilharzial (7), tuberculous (4), retroperitoneal fibrosis (5), malignancy (3), and gunshot injury (1). The median (range) ureteric defect length was 11 (8-16) cm. Four grade 1/2 postoperative Clavien-Dindo complications were noted. Median follow-up was 68 months (range 12-215). Intestinal obstruction developed in 1 patient and urinary tract infection in 10. At last follow-up, serum creatinine, split renographic clearance, and estimated glomerular filtration rate showed significant improvement compared to preoperative values, in the whole series, in cases with chronic kidney disease (stages 2, 3a and 3b) and solitary kidney. Four cases with chronic kidney disease (stage 3) showed deterioration of the kidney function parameters. Magnetic resonance urography showed improvement of hydronephrosis in most patients. No metabolic complications were noted.

CONCLUSION

Yang-Monti Ileal ureter is durable and effective in improving kidney function with few complications. It can be safely used in cases of mild/moderate kidney function loss and solitary kidney. A threshold eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2 is considered relative contraindication.

Weekly intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) alternating with epirubicin in Ta and T1 urothelial bladder cancer: An approach to decrease BCG toxicity

CONTEXT

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy is the standard treatment for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, its toxicity is a major concern.

AIM

If we reduce the number of BCG doses by half and replace the second half with epirubicin, we may have a lower toxicity while maintaining the same efficacy of BCG. To test this hypothesis, we conducted this study as an update of our previous report.

SETTING AND DESIGN

The study included 607 patients with Ta and T1 NMIBC between January 1994 and December 2008.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), the patients received weekly doses of 120 mg BCG alternating with 50 mg epirubicin for six weeks (three weekly doses of each). Maintenance was given. Recurrence, progression rates, and toxicity were assessed. End points were progression, recurrence, and cancer-specific survival.

RESULTS

A total of 532 patients were eligible for evaluation (mean age: 58 years; median follow-up: 45 months). Of these, 291 (55%) were free, 157 (29.5%) showed recurrence, and 84 (15.8%) showed muscle-invasive progression. Toxicity developed in 221 patients. These were mild in the majority (167), whereas 10 developed hematuria, 30 severe cystitis, and five systemic complications. The rate of permanent therapy discontinuation was 3.8%.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

SPSS package version 16 and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing the frequency of BCG instillations by half and replacing the second half with epirubicin results in a similar efficacy and a lower toxicity compared with historical cases receiving BCG alone. However, further trials are required to support these results.

Bladder cancer associated with elevated heavy metals: Investigation of probable carcinogenic pathways through mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and mitogen-activated protein kinase

OBJECTIVE

Carcinogenic mechanisms of heavy metals/ trace elements (HMTE) in bladder cancer (BC) are exactly unknown. Mitochondrial dysfunction (MD), oxidative stress (OS), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are probable carcinogenic mechanisms. The purpose is to investigate probable carcinogenic pathways of HMTE in BC using six MD genes, seven OS markers, and p38-MAPK.

METHODS

Study included 125 BC/radical cystectomy (RC) patients between October 2020 and October 2022, and 72 controls. Exclusion criteria included previous neoplasm, chemo- or radiotherapy. Two samples (cancer/noncancer) were taken from RC specimens. Tissues/plasma/urine cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), strontium (Sr), aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), boron (B) were measured by ICP-OES. Tissue MD genes (mt-CO3, mt-CYB, mt-ATP 6, mt-ATP8, mt-CO1, mt-ND1), and serum OS markers (8-OHdG, MDA, 3-NT, AGEs, AOPP, ROS, SOD2), p38-MAPK were assessed by RT-PCR, and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

BC and adjacent tissue showed higher (Al, Co, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd,Sr), lower B concentrations, compared to controls. High tissue concentrations (Cd, Co, Pb, Ni, Sr) were associated with higher MD genes, OS, MAPK and lower SOD2 levels. The same differences were greater in 41 patients with concomitant elevation of two or more HMTE. Noninclusion of BC-related oncogenes (e.g. RAS) is a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests that high BC tissue (Cd, Co, Pb, Ni, Si) concentrations are associated with over-expressed MD genes, OS, p38-MAPK and low SOD2. These findings provide important understanding keys of probable carcinogenic pathways in BC associated with HMTE. So, efforts should be performed to minimize and counteract exposure to toxic HMTE.