Changes in Coagulation Factors by Passage through a Dextran Sulfate Cellulose Column during Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis

To determine the extent of adsorption of coagulation factors by a dextran sulfate cellulose column used for selective removal of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), various coagulation factors were measured before and after application to the column during LDL apheresis. The column almost completely adsorbed many coagulation factors. Although the bradykinin concentration was markedly increased by passing the plasma through the column, this increment was suppressed by nafamostat mesilate which inhibits the initial contact phase of the intrinsic coagulation pathway. The von Willebrand factor, which forms a complex with factor VIII in plasma, is reduced in apheresis with nafamostat mesilate to the same extent as in apheresis without nafamostat mesilate. Thus, coagulation factors seem to be adsorbed by different mechanisms which include activation of the initial contact phase by the negative charges of dextran sulfate and concomitant adsorption with the phospholipid portion of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B or with von Willebrand factor.

Meaning and significance of low density area (LDA) of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on computed tomography (CT)

628

Background: LDA in solid RCC on CT is often interpreted as ‘central necrosis’ in routine clinical practice. However, the details of clinicopathological (CP) features of LDA of RCC on CT and their prognostic significance have not been shown. We retrospectively investigated LDA of RCC to clarify the CP features and prognostic significance. Methods: Of 428 surgically treated patients for RCC between January 2007 and March 2017 at Nippon Medical School hospital, we found 267 cases who had dynamic CT performed before operation. Among them, we selected and analyzed 199 consecutive cases whose tumor had low density area and whose cancer status resulted in no evidence of disease after surgery. We first examined pathological features of LDA. Then, we examined the correlation between pathological features of LDA and CP parameters and prognosis. The differences of values between the three groups were examined with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Recurrence free survival (RFS) was examined with the Kaplan-Meyer curves and the log-rank test. Results: The histology of LDA was divided into two groups: central necrosis (+) or (-: NN). Central necrosis (+) group was further divided into two subgroups: with neutrophilic infiltration (NI+) and without NI (NI-). This means that, in the end, there were three groups according to microscopic findings: group A (NI+, n = 20, 10%), B (NI-, n = 55, 28%), C (NN, n = 124, 62%). The pathological features of the NN group were composed of hyaline degeneration, hydropic degeneration, fibrosis, scars, and so on. The results of the comparison between CP parameters among the three groups were as follows: C-reactive protein, WBC, platelet, and alkaline phosphatase are statistically higher, and hemoglobin, triglyceride, and albumin were statistically lower in group A. CT value was statistically lower in group A and B. Median follow-up was 35months, and 3-year RFS (group A, B, C, p value) was (49.8%, 77.9%, 94.3%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In RCC patients only about one-third of LDA on CT was shown to be central necrosis. Necrosis with NI was clinically most closely associated with poor prognosis. Central necrosis may be predictive from lower CT values compared to non-necrotic tissues.

Secondary malignancies following low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer in a single institution

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Background: Low-dose-rate brachytherapy (BT) is the internal radiation therapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer by implanting radioactive isotope Iodine 125 into the prostate. The carcinogenetic effect of radiation for the treatment of cancer has been proven during the last decades. However, few studies have been reported about brachytherapy-induced secondary malignancies. In this study, we assessed the BT-induced secondary malignancies in our institution. Methods: We reviewed 487 patients treated with low-dose-rate BT from 2006 to 2016 in our hospital. We checked the occurrence of metachronous malignancies (MM) in all the patients and examined the features of MM including the number, organ sites, histology, period from BT to the occurrence, and analyzed whether the features meet the criteria of radiation-induced malignancies. We also examined the relationship between the BT-related radiation doses and the occurrence of MM. We adopted the criteria of radiation-induced cancer proposed by Sakai et al in 1981; different pathological feature from the organ of origin, the follow-up duration after radiation therapy (over 5 years), and whether the lesion is located in the irradiated field. Results: After a median follow-up period of 57 months (range 10-125 months), 23 MM occurred, which were bladder cancer in 4 cases (0.8%), esophageal in 2 (0.4%), gastric in 5 (1.0%), colon in 4 (0.8%), rectal in 3 (0.6%), pancreatic in 1 (0.2%), lung in 3 (0.6%), and brain in 1 (0.2%). Time from initial treatment to MM was 36 months (range 1-85 months). None of the cases had experienced biochemical recurrence. Average radiation dose to the urethra and the rectum including UD90, UD5, U200, R100, R150 showed no significant difference compared to the patients without occurrence of MM. According to the Sakai’s criteria, one bladder and one rectal cancer were judged as radiation-induced secondary malignancies (0.2%). Conclusions: The risk of secondary malignancies in patients undergoing BT was very low. Further studies with longer follow-up are required because it has been only about 10 years since low-dose-rate brachytherapy started in Japan.

Clinicopathological features of lipid cell variant of urothelial carcinoma

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Background: Lipid cell variant (LCV) of urothelial carcinoma (UC) which was first described by Mostofi et al in 1999 is a very rare variant of UC. Because it has only been documented in occasional case reports and a small series about this variant since then, clinicopathological characteristics of LCV are not yet clarified. In this study, we assessed the clinicopathological characteristics of LCV experienced in our hospital. Methods: The medical records of patients with LCV, who were treated in our hospital between September 2015 and September 2017, were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results: In this period, of 301 patients undergoing TURBT and 42 patients undergoing nephroureterectomy, 13 patients including 10 patients with bladder cancer and 3 with pelvic ureter cancer, were found to be diagnosed as LCV of UC at our hospital. The median observation period of these patients was 6 months (IQR, 4-9 months). Among 10 bladder cancer patients who had confirmed this variant in transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) specimens, all cases had concurrent high-grade UC and the most cases had tumor features including pT2 or more local stages and lympho-vascular invasion (LVI) positive. Co-existence of micropapillary and/or plasmacytoid variant were seen in 5 patients. Lymph node metastases were observed in 3 patients, and this variant was histologically confirmed within the lymph node metastatic tissue in one case. No patient had distant metastasis. Among 3 pelvic ureter cancer patients who had undergone nephroureterectomy, all cases had concurrent high-grade UC and the most cases had tumor features including pT3 local stage and LVI positive. Micropapillary variant was coexisted in one patient. No patient had distant metastasis. 7 patients were no evidence of disease and 6 were alive with disease. The estimated median time from surgery to recurrence was not reached. The 6-months disease-free survival rate was 59%. Conclusions: LCV is seen in the patients who have high-grade UC, and tends to be accompanied with other aggressive variants including micropapillary and plasmacytoid. All patients with this variant had advanced stage cancer at presentation with high recurrence rates.

Nivolumab versus everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma: Japanese subgroup analysis from the CheckMate 025 study

Background

Nivolumab improved overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR) versus everolimus in previously treated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in the phase III CheckMate 025 study (minimum follow-up: 14 months). We report efficacy and safety in the global and Japanese populations (minimum follow-up: 26 months).

Methods

Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks or everolimus 10-mg tablet orally once daily. Primary endpoint: OS, key secondary endpoints: ORR, progression-free survival and safety.

Results

Of 410 (nivolumab) and 411 (everolimus) patients, 37 (9%) and 26 (6%), respectively, were Japanese. Median OS for the global population was 26.0 months (nivolumab) and 19.7 months (everolimus; hazard ratio 0.73 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.88]; P = 0.0006), with medians not reached for Japanese patients. ORR for the global population was 26% (nivolumab) versus 5% (everolimus; odds ratio 6.13; 95% CI: 3.77-9.95); ORR for Japanese patients: 43% versus 8% (odds ratio 9.14; 95% CI: 1.76-88.33). In Japanese patients, any-grade treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 78% (Grade 3-4, 19%; most common, anemia [5%]) treated with nivolumab and 100% (Grade 3-4, 58%; most common, hypertriglyceridemia [12%]) treated with everolimus; the most common with nivolumab was diarrhea (19%) and with everolimus was stomatitis (77%). Quality of life was stable in the nivolumab arm.

Conclusions

With >2 years of follow-up, Japanese patients had a higher response rate with nivolumab versus everolimus that was more pronounced yet consistent with the global population, with median OS not reached, and a favorable safety profile.

Active heavy cigarette smoking is associated with poor survival in Japanese patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: sub-analysis of the multi-institutional national database of the Japanese Urological Association

Objective

The association between cigarette smoking and survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma is not well studied. We examined the impact of cigarette smoking on survival of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma using the multi-institutional national database of the Japanese Urological Association.

Methods

From 340 Japanese institutions, 963 patients with renal cell carcinoma of clinical Stage 3 or higher were analyzed. Univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression models with stepwise selection was used to evaluate overall and cause-specific survival.

Results

Median duration of follow-up was 842 days, and overall and cancer death occurred in 392 (40.7%) and 351 (36.4%) patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, smoking 20 or more cigarettes daily at diagnosis was associated with poorer overall and cancer-specific survival, especially in Stage 3. According to a Cox proportional hazards model, heavy cigarette smoking at diagnosis and the variables of underweight, fever symptoms, serum lactic dehydrogenase value, serum C-reactive protein value, serum creatinine value, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, nephrectomy and clinical stage were significant (P < 0.05) for overall and cancer-specific survival.

Conclusions

We could compare the smoking status at diagnosis and the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma at national wide scale. Heavy active smoking was an independent prognostic factor for overall and cancer-specific survival in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, especially in Stage 3.

Efficacy and safety of sequential use of everolimus in Japanese patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of first-line treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor: a multicenter phase II clinical trial

Objective

Many studies have shown the efficacy of everolimus after pretreatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated the efficacy and safety of everolimus as a second-line treatment after the failure of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in Japanese patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

This was an open-label, multicenter, phase II trial conducted in Japan through the central registration system. A total of 57  patients were enrolled. Patients were administered 10 mg of everolimus q.d. orally. The primary efficacy endpoint was progression-free survival achieved by administration of everolimus.

Results

The median progression-free survival of patients administered everolimus was 5.03 months (95% confidence interval: 3.70-6.20). The median overall survival was not reached. The objective response rate was 9.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.1-20.7). The progression-free survival in the group of <100% relative dose intensity was 6.70 months (95% confidence interval: 4.13-11.60), and that in the group of 100% relative dose intensity was 3.77 months (hazard ratio: 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 2.77-5.63). The commonly observed adverse events and laboratory abnormalities were stomatitis (49.1%), hypertriglyceridemia (26.4%), interstitial lung disease (26.4%), anemia (22.6%) and hypercholesterolemia (22.6%).

Conclusion

The median progression-free survival was almost similar to that recorded in the RECORD-1 study, whereas prolongation of overall survival was observed in the present study compared with the RECORD-1 study. The treatment outcomes of first-line vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy and second-line everolimus treatment in Japanese patients were successfully established in the present study.

Angiogenic, inflammatory and immunologic markers in predicting response to sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

The objective of this prospective study was to identify baseline angiogenic and inflammatory markers in serum as well as the baseline levels of immune cells in whole blood to predict progression‐free survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib. Blood samples were collected at baseline in all 90 patients to analyze serum angiogenic and inflammatory markers together with peripheral blood immunological marker. The association between each marker and sunitinib efficacy was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional model analyses were used to assess the correlation between those markers with survival. Baseline levels of interleukin‐6, interleukin‐8, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells were significantly higher in patients who progressed when compared with those with clinical benefit. Analysis by the Cox regression model showed that baseline interleukin‐8, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein and percentage of T helper type 1 cells were significantly associated with progression‐free survival in univariate analysis. Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, those three markers were independent indices to predict progression‐free survival. In conclusion, angiogenic (interleukin‐8), inflammatory (interleukin‐6, high sensitivity C‐reactive) and immunologic (myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, percentage of T helper type 1 cells) markers at baseline would predict the response to sunitinib therapy and/or disease progression in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Phase II study of radium-223 dichloride in Japanese patients with symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Background

Radium-223 dichloride (radium-223) is the first targeted alpha therapy approved for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with bone metastases. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of radium-223 in Japanese patients with symptomatic CRPC and bone metastases.

Methods

In this open-label, multicenter, phase II study, patients with progressive, symptomatic CRPC and bone metastases were treated with radium-223 (55 kBq/kg, intravenously) in a 4-week cycle for six cycles. The primary endpoint was the percent change in total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from baseline at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included the percent ALP change from baseline to end of treatment (EOT), ALP response rates, percent change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) from baseline to 12 weeks and EOT, PSA response rates, overall survival (OS), and time to symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs). Adverse events were monitored throughout the study period.

Results

Of the 49 Japanese patients (median age 74 years), 28 completed all infusions. Mean percent change in total ALP and PSA from baseline to 12 weeks was −19.3 and +97.4%, respectively. One-year OS and SSE-free rate at the end of active follow-up were 78 and 89%, respectively. The ALP response rate was 31%, while the PSA response rate was 6%. Grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events observed in ≥10% of patients included decreased lymphocyte count (14%), anemia (14%), anorexia (10%), and bone pain (10%).

Conclusions

Radium-223 is effective and well tolerated in Japanese patients with CRPC and bone metastases. Results were comparable with the Alpharadin in Symptomatic Prostate Cancer Patients (ALSYMPCA) trial.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01929655.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10147-017-1176-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Post hoc analyses of East Asian patients from the randomized placebo-controlled PREVAIL trial of enzalutamide in patients with chemotherapy-naïve, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor that acts on different steps in the AR signaling pathway. In PREVAIL, an international, phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, enzalutamide significantly reduced the risk of radiographic progression by 81% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; P < .0001) and reduced the risk of death by 29% (HR, 0.71; P < .0001) compared with placebo in chemotherapy-naïve men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

METHODS

To evaluate treatment effects, safety, and pharmacokinetics of enzalutamide in East Asian patients from the PREVAIL trial, we performed a post hoc analysis of the Japanese, Korean, and Singaporean patients. PREVAIL enrolled patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who had progressed on androgen deprivation therapy. During the study, patients received enzalutamide (160 mg/d) or placebo (1:1) until death or discontinuation because of radiographic progression or skeletal-related event and initiation of subsequent therapy. Centrally assessed radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS) were coprimary endpoints. The secondary endpoints of the PREVAIL trial were investigator-assessed rPFS, time to initiation of chemotherapy, time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, and PSA response (≥50% decline).

RESULTS

Of 1717 patients, 148 patients were enrolled at sites in East Asia (enzalutamide 73, placebo 75). Treatment effect of enzalutamide versus placebo was consistent with that for the overall population as indicated by the HRs (95% confidence interval) of 0.38 (0.10-1.44) for centrally assessed rPFS, 0.59 (0.29-1.23) for OS, 0.33 (0.19-0.60) for time to chemotherapy, and 0.32 (0.20-0.50) for time to PSA progression. In East Asian patients, PSA responses were observed in 68.5% and 14.7% of enzalutamide- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. The enzalutamide plasma concentration ratio (East Asian:non-Asian patients) was 1.12 (90% confidence interval, 1.05-1.20) at 13 weeks. Treatment-related adverse events grade ≥ 3 occurred in 1.4% and 2.7% of enzalutamide- and placebo-treated East Asian patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment effects and safety of enzalutamide in East Asian patients were generally consistent with those observed in the overall study population from PREVAIL. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV NUMBER

NCT01212991.

Tumour and immune cell dynamics explain the PSA bounce after prostate cancer brachytherapy

BACKGROUND

Interstitial brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer may be followed by transient increases in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that resolve without therapy. Such PSA bounces may be associated with an improved outcome but often cause alarm in the patient and physician, and have defied explanation.

METHODS

We developed a mathematical model to capture the interactions between the tumour, radiation and anti-tumour immune response. The model was fitted to data from a large cohort of patients treated exclusively with interstitial brachytherapy. Immunohistological analysis for T-cell infiltration within the same tumours was also performed.

RESULTS

Our minimal model captures well the dynamics of the tumour after therapy, and suggests that a strong anti-tumour immune response coupled with the therapeutic effect of radiation on the tumour is responsible for the PSA bounce. Patients who experience a PSA bounce had a higher density of CD3 and CD8 cells within the tumour that likely contribute to the PSA bounce and the overall better outcomes observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations provide a novel and unifying explanation for the PSA bounce in patients with early prostate cancer and also have implications for the use of immune-based therapies in such patients to improve outcomes.

Post hoc analysis of Japanese patients from the placebo-controlled PREVAIL trial of enzalutamide in patients with chemotherapy-naive, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer-updated results

A post hoc analysis of interim results from PREVAIL, a Phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, demonstrated that the treatment effects, safety and pharmacokinetics of enzalutamide in Japanese patients were generally consistent with those of the overall population. A recent longer term analysis of PREVAIL demonstrated continued benefit of enzalutamide treatment over placebo. Here, we report results from a post hoc analysis of Japanese patients enrolled in PREVAIL at the prespecified number of deaths for the final analysis. In Japanese patients, enzalutamide reduced the risk of death by 35% (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.28–1.51) and the risk of investigator-assessed radiographic progression or death by 60% (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–0.90). These results show that treatment effects and safety in Japanese patients in the final analysis of PREVAIL continued to be generally consistent with those of the overall population.

[LAPAROSCOPIC LYMPHADENECTOMY FOR POSTOPERATIVE LYMPH-NODE METASTASIS OF RENAL MUCINOUS TUBULAR AND SPINDLE CELL CARCINOMA: A CASE REPORT]

We describe renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) that metastasized to the lymph nodes seven years after radical nephrectomy. An 80-year-old man was admitted for treatment of a right renal tumor. A 6.5×6.0-cm tumor in the right kidney (cT1bN0M0) revealed by abdominal computed tomography was treated by laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The pathological findings at that time suggested papillary renal cell carcinoma type 1. Imaging findings seven years later revealed enlarged pre-caval and right external iliac lymph nodes indicative of delayed metastasis, and these were treated by laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. The pathological findings and re-evaluation of the primary tumor suggested MTSCC. The patient remains free of metastasis at 24 months of follow-up. MTSCC has been a distinct entity in the World Health Organization classification of kidney tumors since 2004. Tumors consist of tubules and cords separated by pale mucinous material in some areas, whereas others have dense cellularity without significant mucin. They are usually of low malignant potential, and metastasis has rarely been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MTSCC with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis treated by lymphadenectomy.

Patient preferences for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer in Japan: a discrete-choice experiment

Background

Up to a fifth of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC) will develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which has been associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to consider the patient perspective as part of the overall treatment decision-making process for CRPC, given that an alignment between patient preference and prescribing has been shown to benefit patient outcomes. This study examines preferences of patients with CRPC in Japan for treatment features associated with treatments like RA-223, abiraterone, and docetaxel and to examine the extent to which treatment preferences may vary between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Methods

A two-phase research approach was implemented. In Phase 1, N = 8 patients with CRPC were recruited from a single hospital to complete a qualitative interview to provide feedback on the draft survey. In Phase 2, N = 134 patients with CRPC were recruited from five hospitals to complete a paper survey. The survey included 6 treatment choice questions, each asking patients to choose between two hypothetical treatments for their CRPC. Each treatment alternative was defined by the following attributes: length of overall survival (OS), time to a symptomatic skeletal event (SSE), method of administration, reduction in the risk of bone pain, treatment-associated risk of fatigue and lost work days. A hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression was used to estimate relative preference weights for each attribute level and mean relative importance.

Results

A total of N = 133 patients with CRPC completed the survey and were included in the final analysis. Patients had a mean age of 75.4 years (SD = 7.4) and had been diagnosed with PC a mean of 6.5 years prior (SD = 4.4). Over the attribute levels shown, fatigue (relative importance [RI] = 24.9 %, 95 % CI: 24.7 %, 25.1 %) was the most important attribute, followed by reduction in the risk of bone pain (RI = 23.2 %, 95 % CI: 23.0 %, 23.5 %), and OS (RI = 19.2 %, 95 % CI: 19.0 %, 19.4 %). Although symptomatic patients placed significantly more importance on delaying an SSE (p < .05), no other preference differences were observed.

Conclusions

CRPC patients were more concerned about reduced quality of life from side effects of treatment rather than extension of survival, which may have implications for shared decision-making between patients and physicians.

Enzalutamide in Men with Chemotherapy-naïve Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Extended Analysis of the Phase 3 PREVAIL Study

Enzalutamide significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS) among men with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer at the prespecified interim analysis of PREVAIL, a phase 3, double-blind, randomized study. We evaluated the longer-term efficacy and safety of enzalutamide up to the prespecified number of deaths in the final analysis, which included an additional 20 mo of follow-up for investigator-assessed rPFS, 9 mo of follow-up for OS, and 4 mo of follow-up for safety. Enzalutamide reduced the risk of radiographic progression or death by 68% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28-0.37; p<0.0001) and the risk of death by 23% (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.88; p=0.0002). Median investigator-assessed rPFS was 20.0 mo (95% CI 18.9-22.1) in the enzalutamide arm and 5.4 mo (95% CI 4.1-5.6) in the placebo arm. Median OS was 35.3 mo (95% CI 32.2-not yet reached) in the enzalutamide arm and 31.3 mo (95% CI 28.8-34.2) in the placebo arm. At the time of the OS analysis, 167 patients in the placebo arm had crossed over to receive enzalutamide. The most common adverse events in the enzalutamide arm were fatigue, back pain, constipation, and arthralgia. This final analysis of PREVAIL provides more complete assessment of the clinical benefit of enzalutamide. PREVAIL is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01212991.

PATIENT SUMMARY

According to data from longer follow-up, enzalutamide continued to provide benefit over placebo in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Enzalutamide in Japanese patients with chemotherapy-naïve, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A post-hoc analysis of the placebo-controlled PREVAIL trial

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the treatment effects, safety and pharmacokinetics of enzalutamide in Japanese patients.

METHODS

This was a post-hoc analysis of the phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled PREVAIL trial. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing on androgen deprivation therapy were randomized one-to-one to 160 mg/day oral enzalutamide or placebo until discontinuation on radiographic progression or skeletal-related event and initiation of subsequent antineoplastic therapy. Coprimary end-points were centrally assessed radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival. Secondary end-points were investigator-assessed radiographic progression-free survival, time to initiation of chemotherapy, time to prostate-specific antigen progression, prostate-specific antigen response (≥50% decline) and time to skeletal-related event.

RESULTS

Of 1717 patients, 61 were enrolled in Japan (enzalutamide, n = 28; placebo, n = 33); hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 0.30 for centrally assessed radiographic progression-free survival (0.03-2.95), 0.59 for overall survival (0.20-1.8), 0.46 for time to chemotherapy (0.22-0.96) and 0.36 for time to prostate-specific antigen progression (0.17-0.75) showed the treatment benefit of enzalutamide over the placebo. Prostate-specific antigen responses were observed in 60.7% of enzalutamide-treated men versus 21.2% of placebo-treated men. Plasma concentrations of enzalutamide were higher in Japanese patients: the geometric mean ratio of Japanese/non-Japanese patients was 1.126 (90% confidence interval 1.018-1.245) at 13 weeks. Treatment-related adverse events grade ≥3 occurred in 3.6% of enzalutamide- and 6.1% of placebo-treated Japanese patients.

CONCLUSION

Treatment effects and safety in Japanese patients were generally consistent with the overall results from PREVAIL.

Histological architectures of clear cell carcinoma and their correlation to clinicopathologic features

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Background: The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship between histological architectures (HA) and clinicopathological features (CF) in clear cell carcinoma (CCC). Methods: Between 1984 and 2014 nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy were performed in 723 renal cell carcinoma cases in our hospital. Among them 603 cases (83.4%) were CCC. We reviewed the pathological reports and found 556 CCC cases had description of HA. The relationship between HA and CF were investigated. Results: HA were as follows: small acinar (SA)/acinar (A) in 453 cases (81.5%), large acinar (LA)/solid (S) in 113 (20.3%), papillary (P) in 54 (9.7%), Cystic (C) in 121 (21.8%) and tubular in 53 (9.5%). By the Spearman rank correlation, significant correlation was observed between HA and tumor grades: SA/A (rho -0.408, p < 0.0001), LA/S (0.567, p < 0.0001), P (0.257, p < 0.0001), C (-0.241, p < 0.0001). Acinar sizes were correlated with tumor grade (0.541, p < 0.0001), tumor size (0.435, p < 0.0001) and local stage (0.414, p < 0.0001). LA/S or P showed low microvessel density evaluated by CD31 immunostaining, which resulted in weaker attenuation in corticomedullary phase of enhancement CT. On the contrary SA had high microvessel density and high attenuation after enhancement. Conclusions: HA is well-correlated with tumor grade, tumor size and local stage, and could be predicted by dynamic CT pattern preoperatively.

Phase II clinical study of radium-223 chloride (BAY 88-8223) in Japanese patients with symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with bone metastases

167

Background: The ALSYMPCA study was conducted to evaluate the alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical Radium-223 Chloride (BAY 88-8223) in patients with symptomatic bone metastases in Castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This trial met its primary endpoint of overall survival at the time of pre-planned interim analysis. Post hoc analysis showed a reduction from baseline in total ALP at 12 weeks (32% reduction in the BAY 88-8223 arm vs. 37% increase in placebo arm, P < 0.001) (Sartor et al. ASCO 2013). We are reporting here a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, phase II clinical study of BAY 88-8223 in Japanese patients with symptomatic CRPC with bone metastases. Methods: Eligible patients had progressive, symptomatic CRPC with at least 2 bone metastases on bone scintigraphy and no known visceral metastases; were receiving Best Standard of Care; and either had previously received docetaxel, were docetaxel ineligible, or had refused docetaxel. Patients received 6 injections of radium-223 (50 kBq/kg IV) every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was percentage of change in total ALP from baseline at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, time to symptomatic skeletal event, percentage of change in bone ALP/PSA/biomarkers, and safety. Results: A total of 67 subjects were enrolled; 18 were screening failures, and 49 were received to the study treatment and received at least one administration from September 2013 to May 2014. The mean percent change in total ALP from baseline at 12 weeks was -19.3% (95%CI: -28.0% to -10.7%). The results of secondary endpoints will be presented. The safety and tolerability profile for BAY 88-8223 were highly favorable and only 1 subject (2.0%) experienced lymphocyte count decreased as a Grade 4 adverse event, and there was no death during the study treatment and within 30 days after the last injection of study treatment. Conclusions: The reduction from baseline in total ALP at 12 weeks seen in this phase II study is consistent with the results shown in ALSYMPCA study. Overall, BAY 88-8223 was well tolerated in Japanese patients with CRPC and bone metastases. Clinical trial information: NCT01929655.

[Optimization of prostate biopsy strategy in diagnosis of prostate cancer]

The prostate gland is the sole organ that uses not targeted but systematic biopsy in the pathological diagnosis of prostate cancer due to its anatomical location and lack of adequate imaging modality to depict cancer nodules clearly. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published that the harms of PSA based screening outweigh the benefits, yielding a grade D recommendation against screening. In this current situation, what we need is to optimize a biopsy template that maximizes the detection rate of clinically significant cancer and provides adequate pathological information for a treatment plan while minimizing the detection of indolent cancers and has good cost-effectiveness and safety. In this manuscript, optimal systematic biopsy templates and possible role of MRI-guided biopsy are reviewed.