Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio can significantly predict mortality outcomes in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor

The prognostic role of systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers is unclear in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Here, we aimed to investigate the prognostic role of various SIR markers in the oncological outcomes in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients at a single institution in Korea. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived-NLR (dNLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were examined as SIR markers. We retrospectively collected data of 1,698 NMIBC patients who underwent transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) between 1990 and 2013. After excluding 147 patients, the study population finally consisted of 1,551 individuals. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Multivariate Cox regression model was adopted to identify the predictors of oncological outcomes. Notably, elevated NLR (≥2.0), dNLR (≥1.5) and PLR (≥124) were associated with poor OS outcomes. Patients with increased NLR, but not dNLR and PLR, only had poor CSS estimates compared to those with lower NLR. However, no significant differences were found in RFS and PFS according to the SIR status. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, elevated NLR was identified as a key predictor of OS [hazard ratio (HR)=1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.19-1.95], in addition to age (HR=1.07, 95% CI=1.05-1.08), hemoglobin (HR=0.83, 95% CI=0.78-0.88), and high grade tumor (HR=1.88, 95% CI=1.45-1.08). With respect to CSS, increased NLR was also identified as an independent predictor (HR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.25). In summary, our results indicate that NLR can be a very reliable SIR marker for predicting the oncological outcomes, particularly mortality outcomes.

Systemic Inflammatory Response Based on Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Marker in Bladder Cancer

A growing body of evidence suggests that systemic inflammatory response (SIR) in the tumor microenvironment is closely related to poor oncologic outcomes in cancer patients. Over the past decade, several SIR-related hematological factors have been extensively investigated in an effort to risk-stratify cancer patients to improve treatment selection and to predict posttreatment survival outcomes in various types of cancers. In particular, one readily available marker of SIR is neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which can easily be measured on the basis of absolute neutrophils and absolute lymphocytes in a differential white blood cell count performed in the clinical setting. Many investigators have vigorously assessed NLR as a potential prognostic biomarker predicting pathological and survival outcomes in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder. In this paper, we aim to present the prognostic role of NLR in patients with UC of the bladder through a thorough review of the literature.

Health-related quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury: review of the short form 36-health questionnaire survey

Advances in medical and rehabilitative care have increased interest in studying how different factors may affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). There has been a large increase in the number of studies assessing HRQOL among persons with SCI. However, despite these advances, numerous issues remain unanswered because these studies have used a variety of methodologic approaches and assessment tools to examine how different factors have a role in predicting HRQOL in SCI populations. Therefore, standardized instruments should be used as part of this process. The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) was developed in order to survey health status of the general population. However, the available data on the HRQOL of individuals with SCI are currently limited. In addition, there is little information currently available on the factors that are associated with HRQOL in the SCI population and this issue remains controversial. The findings from several individual studies that used the SF-36 to assess the HRQOL of patients suffering from SCI were reviewed, and the results were interpreted with disability in mind. This review article aims to summarize the data regarding the HRQOL of individuals with SCI by using the SF-36.

Prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion in radical cystectomy on patients with bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The objective of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature to appraise the prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in radical cystectomy specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following the PRISMA statement, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS database were searched from the respective dates of inception until June 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 21 articles met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review, which included a total of 12,527 patients ranging from 57 to 4,257 per study. LVI was detected in 34.6% in radical cystectomy specimens. LVI was associated with higher pathological T stage and tumor grade, as well as lymph node metastasis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) was statistically significant for recurrence-free survival (pooled HR, 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-2.06), cancer-specific survival (pooled HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.38-2.01), and overall survival (pooled HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.38-2.01), despite the heterogeneity among included studies. On sensitivity analysis, the pooled HRs and 95% CIs were not significantly altered when any one study was omitted. The funnel plot for overall survival demonstrated a certain degree of asymmetry, which showed slight publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis indicates that LVI is significantly associated with poor outcome in patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy. Adequately designed prospective studies are required to provide the precise prognostic significance of LVI in bladder cancer.

Prognostic role of survivin in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The objective of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature investigating the survivin expression and its effects on bladder cancer prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carefully searched online Pubmed, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS database from August 1997 to May 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 14 articles met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review. The eligible studies included a total of 2,165 patients with a median number of 155 patients per study (range: 17-726). Of the 14 studies, nine evaluated immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. In non-muscle invasive bladder tumor, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) was statistically significant for recurrence-free survival (pooled HR, 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-2.52), progression-free survival (pooled HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.60-2.82), cancer-specific survival (pooled HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.32-3.06), and overall survival (pooled HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.02-2.29). The overall HRs by survivin status were robust across advanced stages. When only adjusted survival data were included, statistically significant differences were identified for all survival subgroup analyses. There was no between-study heterogeneity in the effect of survivin status on the majority of meta-analyses. There was no clear evidence of publication bias in this meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivin expression indicates worse prognosis in patients with bladder cancer but the results should be interpreted with caution. It is necessary that better-designed studies with standardized assays need to provide a better conclusion about the relationship between survivin expression and the outcome of patients with bladder cancer.

Concurrent Autophagy Inhibition Overcomes the Resistance of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Human Bladder Cancer Cells

Despite the potential therapeutic efficacy of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in the treatment of advanced stage bladder cancer, there currently is no clear evidence to support this hypothesis. In this study, we investigate whether the concurrent treatment of autophagy-blocking agents with EGFR inhibitors exerts synergistic anti-cancer effects in T24 and J82 human bladder cancer cells. Lapatinib and gefitinib were used as EGFR inhibitors, and bafilomycin A1 (BFA1), chloroquine (CQ) and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were used as the pharmacologic inhibitors of autophagy activities. To assess the proliferative and self-renewal capabilities, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and a clonogenic assay were performed, respectively. To examine apoptotic cell death, flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) was used. To measure the autophagy activities, the expression levels of LC3I and II was determined by Western blot analysis. To validate the synergistic effects of autophagy inhibition with EGFR inhibitors, we specifically blocked key autophagy regulatory gene ATG12 by transfection of small interference RNA and examined the phenotypic changes. Of note, lapatinib and gefitinib triggered autophagy activities in T24 and J82 human bladder cancer cells, as indicated by upregulation of LC3II. More importantly, inhibiting autophagy activities with pharmacologic inhibitors (BFA1, CQ or 3-MA) remarkably reduced the cell viabilities and clonal proliferation of T24 and J82 cells, compared to those treated with either of the agents alone. We also obtained similar results of the enhanced anti-cancer effects of EGFR inhibitors by suppressing the expression of ATG12. Notably, the apoptotic assay showed that synergistic anti-cancer effects were induced via the increase of apoptotic cell death. In summary, concomitant inhibition of autophagy activities potentiated the anti-cancer effects of EGFR inhibitors in human bladder cancer cells, indicating a novel therapeutic strategy to treat advanced bladder cancer.

Impact of squamous and glandular differentiation on oncologic outcomes in upper and lower tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the prognostic significance of squamous and/or glandular differentiation in urothelial carcinoma (UC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 800 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy or nephroureterectomy at our institution from January 1990 to December 2010, 696 patients were included for the analysis. Clinicopathologic variables were compared according to the presence of squamous and/or glandular differentiation and the tumor location.

RESULTS

A total of 51 (7.3%) patients had squamous and/or glandular differentiation. Patients with squamous and/or glandular differentiation had higher pathological T stage (p<0.001) and grade (p<0.001) than those with pure form of UC. After the median follow-up of 55.2 months, 84 (24.6%) and 82 (23.1%) died of upper urinary tract UC and UC of bladder, respectively. Patients with squamous and/or glandular differentiation in upper urinary tract UC showed poorer cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p<0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p<0.001) than those with pure form in upper urinary tract UC (p<0.001), but not in UC of bladder (p = 0.178 for CSS and p = 0.172 for OS). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, squamous and/or glandular differentiation was an independent predictor of CSS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.85, p = 0.023), but it was not associated with OS (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.00-2.32, p = 0.051).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of variant histology could be associated with poorer survival outcome in patients with UC. Squamous and/or glandular differentiation is associated with features of biologically aggressive disease and an independent predictor of CSS.

Surgical clip-related complications after radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to describe the surgical clip-related complications that can occur after open retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), pure laparoscopic prostatectomy (LRP), and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database of 641 patients who underwent RRP (n=439), LRP (n=49), and RALP (n=153) at our institution between January 2006 and April 2009 was reviewed to identify patients with complications related to the use of surgical clips. The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 19.0 months (range, 1-42 months).

RESULTS

Of the 641 patients, 25 (5.7%), 1 (2.0%), and 2 (1.3%) had a bladder neck contracture after RRP, LRP, and RALP, respectively. Two RRP patients had a bladder stone. In total, 6 patients had surgical clip-related complications. Metal clip migration was associated with 2 (8%) of the 25 RRP cases of bladder neck contracture and both (100%) of the RRP cases of bladder stone. Moreover, both (100%) of the RALP cases of bladder neck contractures were associated with Hem-o-lok clip migration into the anastomotic site.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical clips are prone to migration and may cause, or significantly contribute to, bladder neck contracture or the formation of bladder stones after radical prostatectomy. These findings also suggest that because the incidence of bladder neck contracture after RALP is low, the migration of Hem-o-lok clips should be suspected when voiding difficulty occurs after RALP.

Association between demographic factors and prognosis in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of demographic factors, including age, sex, performance status, smoking status, obesity, and race in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We conducted PubMed search for all articles published until December 2014 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Survival outcomes of interest were intravesical recurrence (IVR) free survival, progression free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Seventy-nine studies, including numbers of subjects ranging from 24 to 9899, met the inclusion criteria. Advanced age was significantly associated with worse PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.01] and OS (HR 1.05). The significant predictors of CSS were age (HR 1.02) and performance status (HR 1.35). Female gender (HR 0.81) and smoking (HR 1.38) were the significant predictors only for IVR free survival. No significant associations with survival outcomes were observed in obesity and race. Our study reveals that age is one of the most important demographic predictor of survival in UTUC. Also, male gender, poor performance status, and smoking are also significantly related to worse survival outcomes. However, large well-designed prospective studies are required to investigate the precise prognostic significance of demographics.

Epigenetic regulation of mammalian Hedgehog signaling to the stroma determines the molecular subtype of bladder cancer

In bladder, loss of mammalian Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) accompanies progression to invasive urothelial carcinoma, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this cancer-initiating event are poorly defined. Here, we show that loss of Shh results from hypermethylation of the CpG shore of the Shh gene, and that inhibition of DNA methylation increases Shh expression to halt the initiation of murine urothelial carcinoma at the early stage of progression. In full-fledged tumors, pharmacologic augmentation of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activity impedes tumor growth, and this cancer-restraining effect of Hh signaling is mediated by the stromal response to Shh signals, which stimulates subtype conversion of basal to luminal-like urothelial carcinoma. Our findings thus provide a basis to develop subtype-specific strategies for the management of human bladder cancer.

Dose, duration and strain of bacillus Calmette-Guerin in the treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation is widely used as an adjuvant therapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in patients with intermediate- and high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, the effective dose, duration, and strain of BCG have not yet been clearly determined. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between dose, duration, and strain of BCG and clinical outcomes in NMIBC patients treated with TURBT.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search in Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases for all relevant articles published up to October 2016 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. The relative risks of clinical outcomes, including recurrence, progression, cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality according to dose (standard vs low), duration (induction vs maintenance), and strain of BCG were presented as the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Nineteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were finally selected in this meta-analysis. The risk of recurrence was significantly highly observed in case of low-dose BCG (RR, 1.17; 95% CI 1.06-1.30) and induction BCG (RR, 1.33; 95% CI 1.17-1.50) only group without heterogeneity among the included studies. Although there were no significant differences between dose or duration and other clinical outcomes. On direct comparison in each study comparing BCG strains, the Tice stain showed a relatively high probability of recurrence compared with the Connaught (RR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.01-1.64) and RIVM (RR, 2.04, 95% CI 1.28-3.25) strains. Funnel plot testing revealed no significant publication bias.

CONCLUSION

The use of standard dose and maintenance BCG instillation may be effective to reduce recurrence rate after TURBT for NMIBC. Further large scale, well-designed, and prospective studies, with stratification of the patients into risk group at randomization, will be required to determine the optimal guideline of BCG use to improve clinical outcomes in NMIBC.

Single, immediate postoperative instillation of chemotherapy in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials using different drugs

We performed a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy of several intravesical chemotherapeutic (IVC) agents after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. The literature search was conducted using the Embase, Scopus and PubMed databases for RCTs, including patients with single or multiple, primary or recurrent stage Ta or T1 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder managed with a single, immediate instillation of IVC after TURB. Thirteen RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Pair-wise meta-analysis (direct comparison) showed that pirarubicin [hazard ratio (HR): 0.31], epirubicin (HR: 0.62), and MMC (HR: 0.40) were the most effective drugs for reducing tumor recurrence. Bayesian network meta-analysis (indirect comparison) revealed that treatment with pirarubicin (HR: 0.31), MMC (HR: 0.44), or epirubicin (HR: 0.60) was associated with prolonged recurrence-free survival. Among the drugs examined, only pirarubicin reduced disease progression compared to controls. These results suggest that a single, immediate administration of IVC with pirarubicin, MMC, or epirubicin is associated with prolonged recurrence-free survival following TURB in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients, though only pirarubicin also reduced disease progression.

De Ritis Ratio (Aspartate Transaminase/Alanine Transaminase) as a Significant Prognostic Factor in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy with Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Study

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the correlation between preoperative De Ritis ratio (aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT)) and postoperative outcome in patients with urothelial cell carcinoma (UC) treated with radical cystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 771 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder UC. Patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal value of AST/ALT ratio. The effect of the AST/ALT ratio was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression hazard models for patients' cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). In addition, propensity score matching of 1 : 1 was performed between the two groups.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 84.0 (36-275) months. Mean age was 64.8 ± 10.0 years. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal threshold of the AST/ALT ratio was 1.1. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, the high AST/ALT group showed worse outcomes in CSS and OS (all P < 0.001). Also, RFS (P = 0.001) in the Cox regression models of clinical and pathological parameters was used to predict CSS, OS, and AST/ALT ratio (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.23-3.73, P = 0.007) and pathological T stage (HR 4.80, 95% CI 1.19-19.28, P = 0.003). To predict OS and AST/ALT ratio (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.65-2.56, P < 0.001), pathological T stage (HR 2.96, 95% CI 0.57-17.09, P = 0.037) and positive lymph node (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.50-1.91, P = 0.021) were determined as independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative AST/ALT ratio could be an independent prognostic factor in patients with UC treated with radical cystectomy.

Prognostic factors for conditional survival in patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder treated with radical cystectomy

Because only a few studies have evaluated conditional survival (CS) in bladder cancer patients, we examined conditional overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in these patients after radical cystectomy (RC), and determined which prognostic variables affect CS over time. We reviewed 487 patients treated with RC and pelvic lymph node dissection at our institution between 1991 and 2012. Cox regression models were used to identify the significant prognostic factors for CS depending on clinicopathological characteristics. As survival time increased after RC, conditional OS and CSS rates increased when compared with baseline survival probability. CS more significantly improved in the patients with unfavorable pathologic characteristics. While many variables were associated with survival at baseline, only age was found to be a significant prognostic factor for 5-year conditional OS in all given survivorships. In conclusion, conditional OS and CSS probabilities significantly improved over time, with greater improvements in the cases with unfavorable pathologic features. Moreover, age remained the key prognostic factor for conditional OS estimates from baseline to 5 years after surgery. Our results provide practical survival information to guide adjustments in our current follow-up strategy for bladder cancer patients after RC.

Role of Systemic Inflammatory Response Markers in Urothelial Carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) can occur in various parts of the urinary tract and occurs in different stages and grades. The disease recurs frequently and is monitored through a series of invasive tests, such as cystoscopy or ureteroscopy, over the lifetime of an individual. Although many researchers have attempted to stratify the risks of UC, with the majority being based on cancer characteristics and host factors such as performance status, a risk classification system has yet to be fully developed. Cancer affects various parts of the body through the systemic immune response, including changes in hormones, the number and ratio of white blood cells and platelets, and C-reactive protein (CRP) or albumin levels under the influence of neuroendocrine metabolism, hematopoietic function, and protein and energy metabolism, respectively. Herein, we reviewed various systemic inflammatory response markers (SIRs) related to UC, including CRP, albumin-globulin ratio, albumin, Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), modified GPS, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio. Our aim was to summarize the role of various SIRs in the treatment of patients with UC.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Although adjuvant chemotherapy (ACH) is widely used in clinical practice for the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), a consensus has yet to be established on which ACH regimen is the most effective for improving postoperative survival. In this study, we aimed to systematically assess the optimal ACH regimen for improving survival outcomes in patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for MIBC. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for all articles published until December 2016 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The study end-points were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A direct pairwise meta-analysis was conducted by pooling the studies that compared RC with ACH and RC alone, and the results are presented as a pooled hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A Bayesian network meta-analysis was adopted for indirect comparisons among various ACH regimens, and the outcomes are presented as HRs with 95% credible intervals (CrI). The eleven randomized controlled trials ultimately selected for the current analysis comprised of 1,546 patients with 49 to 327 subjects per study. Based on the pairwise meta-analysis, the use of ACH showed significantly better PFS (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49-0.85) and OS (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68-0.92) than RC alone. In the network meta-analysis, the gemcitabine/cisplatin/paclitaxel (GCP) combination was the only ACH regimen associated with significant improvement in both the PFS (HR, 0.38; 95% CrI, 0.25-0.58) and OS (HR, 0.38; 95% CrI 0.22-0.65). ACH following RC for MIBC may therefore contribute to improved PFS and OS. In particular, the GCP combination may be the optimal ACH regimen for improving postoperative survival outcomes. Additional well-designed, large scale, prospective, randomized trials are still required to establish the optimal ACH regimen in MIBC patients.

The prognostic impact of perioperative blood transfusion on survival in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma treated with radical cystectomy

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to assess the influence of perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) on survival outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed and analyzed the clinical data of 432 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer from 1991 to 2012. PBT was defined as the transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells during RC or postoperative hospitalization.

RESULTS

Of all patients, 315 patients (72.9%) received PBT. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, female gender (p=0.015), a lower preoperative hemoglobin level (p=0.003), estimated blood loss>800 mL (p<0.001), and performance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p<0.001) were independent risk factors related to requiring perioperative transfusions. The receipt of PBT was associated with increased overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-2.94; p=0.003) on univariate analysis, but its association was not confirmed by multivariate analysis (p=0.058). In transfused patients, a transfusion of >4 packed red blood cell units was an independent predictor of overall survival (p=0.007), but not in cancer specific survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study was not conclusive to detect a clear association between PBT and survival after RC. However, the efforts should be made to continue limiting the overuse of transfusion especially in patients who are expected to have a high probability of PBT, such as females and those with a low preoperative hemoglobin level and history of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Significance of Ki-67 in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic significance of Ki-67 in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected 39 articles including 5,229 patients from Embase, Scopus, and PubMed searches. The primary outcomes, recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were determined using time-to event hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study heterogeneity was tested by chi-square and I2 statistics. Heterogeneity sources were identified by subgroup meta-regression analysis.

RESULTS

Two studies were prospective; 37 were retrospective. Immunohistochemistry was performed in tissue microarrays or serial sections. A wide range of antibody dilutions and Ki-67 positivity thresholds were used. Study heterogeneity was attributed to analysis results in studies of RFS (p < 0.0001). Meta-regression analysis revealed that region and analysis results accounted for heterogeneity in PFS studies (p = 0.00471, p < 0.0001). High Ki-67 expression was associated with poor RFS (pooled HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.48-2.15), poor PFS (pooled HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13-2.15), poor DSS (pooled HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.47-2.15), and worse OS (pooled HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.24-4.22).

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis found that current evidence supports the prognostic value of Ki-67 in NMIBC patients.

Clinical Significance of Pre-treated Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in the Management of Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: We performed a study-level meta-analysis to summarize the current evidence on the correlation between pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) and oncological outcomes in each type of management for urothelial carcinoma. Method: All articles published until February 2017 in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE database were collected and reviewed. The current evidence on correlations between pretreatment NLR and oncological outcomes in each type of management for urothelial carcinoma, including transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), radical cystectomy (RCx), chemotherapy (CTx), and nephroureterectomy (NUx), were summarized. Results: Thirty-eight studies containing clinical information on 16,379 patients were analyzed in this study. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated after weighing each study. Heterogeneity among the studies and publication bias were assessed. Pretreatment NLR was significantly associated with muscle invasiveness (OR: 4.27), recurrence free survival (RFS, HR: 2.32), and progression-free survival (PFS, HR: 2.45) in TURBT patients. In the RCx patients, high NLR was negatively associated with both disease status (extravesical extension and lymph-node positivity, OR: 1.14 and 1.43, respectively) and oncological outcomes [overall survival (OS), PFS], and cancer specific survival (CSS, HR: 1.18, 1.12, and 1.35, respectively). Pretreatment NLR was negatively correlated with pathologic downstaging (OR: 0.79) and positively correlated with PFS (HR: 1.30) and OS (HR: 1.44) in CTx patients. For patients who underwent NUx, pretreatment NLR was significantly associated with OS (HR: 1.72), PFS (HR: 1.63), and CSS (HR: 1.68). Conclusions: Pretreatment NLR is a useful biomarker for disease aggressiveness, oncological outcome, and treatment response in the management of patients with urothelial carcinoma. More evidence is needed to clarify these results.

Elevated Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Poor Prognosis in Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients: Initial Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Treatment After Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor Setting

The objective of this study was to investigate pretreatment systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers in patients who underwent initial intravesical treatment for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A total of 385 patients who underwent initial intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) were included. We analyzed the relationship between oncological outcomes and ratios of SIR markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Each SIR marker was used for analysis. Their cut-off values were determined through receiver operation characteristics curves analysis. Patients were divided into two groups according to pretreatment NLR (<1.5 vs. ≥1.5), dNLR (<1.2 vs. ≥1.2), and PLR values (171< vs. ≥171). Patients with NLR ≥ 1.5 and dNLR ≥ 1.2 were associated with poor prognosis in terms of overall survival and cause-specific survival. However, no serum SIR marker was associated with prognosis in recurrence-free survival or progression-free survival. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that age, NLR, dNLR, hemoglobin, and pathologic T stage were significant factors predicting overall survival. Age, NLR, and pathologic T stage were significant factors predicting cancer-specific survival, NLR and tumor number were the most important predictors of bladder preserving survival. NLR before treatment was correlated with both oncological outcomes and survival outcome in NMIBC patients undergoing initial intravesical BCG treatment after TURB. Increased NLR reflects a poor prognosis of these outcomes.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma: updated results of the Seoul National University Hospital experience

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to update the long-term outcome in the treatment of locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data from 138 patients who underwent RNU for locally advanced UTUC (pT3/4 or pN+) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The adjuvant chemotherapy group comprised 66 patients, and other 72 patients did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was the most common regimen, depending on the patient's eligibility and renal function. The median follow-up period was 48.7 months (interquartile range: 29.2-96.9 months). The 3-and 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 76.0% and 69.9% for the non- -adjuvant chemotherapy group versus 74.6% and 54.5% for the adjuvant chemotherapy group (p=0.301, log-rank test). Overall survival (OS) rates for the same time period were 70.1% and 62.9% for the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group versus 73.8% and 53.2% for the adjuvant chemotherapy group (p=0.931, log-rank test). On multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy could not predict DSS and OS after surgery. When patients who received cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy (n=59) were compared to those who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, similar results were found.

CONCLUSIONS

There does not appear to be a significant DSS or OS benefit associated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Prospective randomized clinical trials are necessary to verify the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on locally advanced UTUC.

Extramammary Paget Disease of External Genitalia: Surgical Excision and Follow-up Experiences With 19 Patients

PURPOSE

There are only a few reports of extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) of the external genitalia because it is a rare malignancy. We investigated patients with EMPD of the penis and scrotum and report the outcome of surgical management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2000 to 2012, a total of 19 patients diagnosed as having penile and scrotal EMPD underwent wide local excision with or without intraoperative frozen biopsy or preoperative mapping biopsy. The medical charts of these patients were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Mean follow-up was 22.5 months (range, 1 to 60 months).

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 68 years (range, 57 to 82 years). In some patients, the lesions were misdiagnosed as either eczema or some other benign skin lesion at outside institutions, with a mean delay in diagnosis of 43.5 months (range, 1 to 198 months). Intraoperative frozen biopsy or preoperative mapping biopsy was performed in 18 patients. The resection margin was negative in 9 patients (47.4%) and positive in 10 patients (57.6%). Intraepithelial EMPD without dermis invasion was observed in 5 patients (26.3%), whereas diseases with dermis invasion were noted in 14 patients (73.7%). During the follow-up period, recurrences occurred in four patients, and two patients with dermis invasion and recurrence died from the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of EMPD should not be delayed to allow for prompt management. Our findings suggest that intraoperative frozen biopsy or preoperative mapping biopsy cannot guarantee negative margins on final pathology. However, preoperative mapping biopsy and wide local excision with intraoperative frozen biopsy demonstrates good prognosis of EMPD, especially in those cases without dermal invasion.

Are urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract a distinct entity from urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder? Behavior of urothelial carcinoma after radical surgery with respect to anatomical location: a case control study

BACKGROUND

To compare the prognosis of upper urinary tract (UUT)-urothelial carcinoma (UC) and UC of the bladder (UCB) by pathological staging in patients treated with radical surgeries.

METHODS

The study population comprised 335 and 302 consecutive radical surgery cases performed between 1991 and 2010 for UUT-UC and UCB, respectively. Five-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were analyzed. The median follow-up period of all subjects was 59.3 months (range, 0.1-261.0 months).

RESULTS

No difference was observed in median patient age, distribution of pathologic T stage, or rates of positive surgical margin between the two groups. The UUT-UC group had significantly more frequent hydronephrosis than the USB group (48.1% vs. 20.2%, p < 0.001). However, the UUT-UC group showed significantly less frequent grade III tumors (28.1% vs. 58.6%, p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (18.8% vs. 35.8%, p < 0.001), and associated carcinoma in situ (9.0% vs. 21.9%, p < 0.001) than the UCB group. Five year RFS rates in the UUT-UC and UCB groups were 77.0% and 75.9%, respectively (p = 0.546). No significant difference in RFS rate was observed between pathological T stage subgroups. Five year CSS rates in the UUT-UC and UCB groups were 76.1% and 76.2%, respectively (p = 0.462). No significant difference was observed in CSS rate between the pathologic T stage subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

UUT-UC and UCB showed comparable prognosis at identical stages. However, our results should be verified in a prospective study due to the retrospective study design in this study.

Papillary Urothelial Neoplasm of Low Malignant Potential (PUNLMP) After Initial TUR-BT: Comparative Analyses with Noninvasive Low-Grade Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma (LGPUC)

Purpose: To verify if the distinction between papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) and noninvasive low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (LGPUC) reflects a different biologic activity. Materials and Methods: We reviewed and analyzed the clinical data from 678 patients who had a diagnosis of PUNLMP (n=53) or noninvasive LGPUC (n=625) after initial TUR-BT for bladder neoplasm between 2000 and 2012. Results: The noninvasive LGPUC group showed a higher frequency of recurrence in comparison with the PUNLMP group (46.7% vs. 30.2%, p=0.022). In contrast, there were no significant differences in progression (15.2% vs. 18.9%, p=0.295) between the two groups. Grade progression was reported in 10 patients (LG: n=5; high grade: n=2; carcinoma in situ: n=3) and stage progression was reported in 2 patients (all: T1) in PUNLMP group. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed significantly decreased 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) (50.3% vs. 74.6%, log-rank test, p=0.014) in the noninvasive LGPUC group compared to the PUNLMP group. However, there were no significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor grades according to 2004 WHO/ISUP classification system (PUNLMP vs. LG) were identified as significant predictors of RFS. However, it was not a significant predictor of both PFS and overall survival. Conclusions: PUNLMP had a substantial number of recurrences (30.2%), although RFS was better than noninvasive LGPUC. In addition, PUNLMP had a similar risk of progression compared with noninvasive LGPUC. Consequently, PUNLMP should be treated in a manner similar to noninvasive LGPUC, and long-term clinical follow-up should be recommended for patients with PUNLMP.

The Comparison of Oncologic Outcomes between Open and Laparoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy for the Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Korean Multicenter Collaborative Study

PURPOSE

We compared oncologic outcomes of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent open nephroureterectomy (ONU) or laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive cases of ONU and LNU between 2000 and 2012 at five participating institutions were included in this retrospective analysis. Clinical characteristics and pathologic outcomes were compared between the two surgical approaches. The influence of the type of surgical approach on intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were assessed with the log-rank test. Predictors of IVRFS, PFS, CSS, and OS were also analyzed with a multivariable Cox regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 1,521 patients with UTUC were eligible for the present study (ONU, 906; LNU, 615). The estimated 5-year IVRFS (57.8 vs. 51.0%, p=0.010), CSS (80.4 vs. 76.4%, p=0.032), and OS (75.8 vs. 71.4%, p=0.026) rates were significantly different between the two groups in favor of LNU. Moreover, in patients with locally advanced disease (pT3/pT4), the LNU group showed better 5-year IVRFS (62.9 vs. 54.1%, p=0.038), CSS (64.3 vs. 56.9%, p=0.022), and OS (60.4 vs. 53.1%, p=0.018) rates than the ONU group. Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that type of surgical approach was independently associated with IVRFS, but was not related to PFS, CSS, and OS.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that LNU provided better oncologic control of IVRFS, CSS, and OS compared with ONU for the management of patients with UTUC.