Robot-assisted radical cystectomy versus open radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer (RAZOR): an open-label, randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial

Comparative Effectiveness in Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic versus Open Radical Cystectomy: Results from a Multicenter Contemporary Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The comparative effectiveness of robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) versus open radical cystectomy (ORC) in terms of perioperative outcomes is still a matter of debate affecting payors, physicians, and patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate comparative perioperative and longer-term morbidity of RARC versus ORC in a multicenter contemporary retrospective cohort of patients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective multicenter study included patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy at 10 academic centers between 2000 and 2017.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Intraoperative outcomes including blood loss and operative time as well as postoperative outcomes including time to discharge, complication, readmission, reoperation, and mortality rates at 30 and 90 d were assessed. Multiple imputation and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used. IPTW-multivariable-adjusted regression and logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of RARC versus ORC with perioperative outcomes at 30 and 90 d.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Overall, 1887 patients (1197 RARC and 690 ORC) were included in the study. After IPTW-adjusted analysis, no differences between the groups in terms of preoperative characteristics were observed. RARC was associated with lower blood loss (p<0.001), shorter length of stay (p<0.001), and longer operative time (p=0.007). On IPTW-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses, no differences in terms of 30- and 90-d complications, reoperation, and mortality rates were observed. RARC was independently associated with a higher readmission rate at both 30 and 90 d. Limitations are mainly related to the retrospective nature of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

While RARC was associated with less blood loss and shorter hospital stay, it also led to longer operation times and more readmissions. There were no differences in 30- and 90-d complications. Because there are no apparent differences in safety between ORC and RARC in expert centers, differences in oncologic and cost-effectiveness outcomes are likely to drive decision making regarding RARC utilization.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this study we investigated the differences between RARC and ORC in terms of perioperative outcomes. We found no difference in early and late complications. We concluded that, to date, differences in oncologic and cost-effectiveness outcomes should drive decision making regarding RARC utilization.

Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy Versus Open Radical Cystectomy: A Meta-analysis of Oncologic, Perioperative, and Complication-related outcomes

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is increasingly being used to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer in an attempt to improve functional outcomes and complication rates over open radical cystectomy (ORC). We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare patient outcomes between RARC and ORC. The primary outcome measure was a composite of recurrence-free survival (RFS) or progression-free survival (PFS). As a secondary measure, we examined other surrogate oncologic endpoints, perioperative outcomes, and complications. We found no difference between RARC and ORC with respect to RFS/PFS (hazard ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.64-1.24), surgical margin rates, or lymph node dissection yield. Analysis of patterns of recurrence for (pelvic) versus distant/abdominal sites indicated a significant difference between RARC and ORC (p=0.04). This analysis represents a combination of post hoc analyses using RCT data and inconsistent between-study definitions of recurrence sites, and must be interpreted with caution. Lastly, RARC was associated with an advantage in estimated blood loss, but a longer operative time, with no difference in hospital length of stay or complication rates. These data support the oncologic safety of RARC; however, further research is required to assess potential differences in recurrence patterns. PATIENT SUMMARY: We synthesized data from recent randomized controlled trials to examine differences in cancer control between minimally invasive, robot-assisted radical cystectomy and traditional, open radical cystectomy. Our study shows that cancer control outcomes are comparable between robotic and open techniques, supporting the safety of minimally invasive surgery. Blood loss was lower in robotic surgery, but the robotic procedure was longer and did not have lower complications rates after surgery.

Real-World Impact of Minimally Invasive Versus Open Radical Cystectomy on Perioperative Outcomes and Spending

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the minimally invasive approach on spending and perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. In a randomized control trial conducted at high-volume centers, robotic, and open cystectomy were shown to have similar outcomes. However, because the majority of cystectomies are performed in low-volume centers, it is unknown whether these findings are broadly generalizable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified Medicare patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 2008 and 2015. We examined the length of stay, readmission rate, and 90-day spending after minimally invasive or open cystectomy. We used multiple regressions to estimate the association between minimally invasive surgery and the outcomes, accounting for patient, hospital, and surgeon factors that may influence these outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 4760 patients, 693 (14.6%) underwent minimally invasive cystectomy and 4067 (85.4%) had an open approach. Minimally invasive cystectomy was associated with shorter length of stay (10.1 days vs 11.9 days, P <.001), but no difference in readmission rate (27.4% vs 26.8%, P = .77). Minimally invasive cystectomy was associated with lower adjusted 90-day episode spending ($34,369 vs $38,071, P <.001).

CONCLUSION

In patients across diverse institutions in the United States, minimally invasive cystectomy was associated with a shorter length of stay than open cystectomy and reduced 90-day episode spending, but with no significant difference in readmission rate.

Pembrolizumab as Neoadjuvant Therapy Before Radical Cystectomy in Patients With Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Bladder Carcinoma (PURE-01): An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Study

PURPOSE

To determine the activity of pembrolizumab as neoadjuvant immunotherapy before radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC) for which standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy is poorly used.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the PURE-01 study, patients had a predominant urothelial carcinoma histology and clinical (c)T≤3bN0 stage tumor. They received three cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks before RC. The primary end point in the intention-to-treat population was pathologic complete response (pT0). Biomarker analyses included programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression using the combined positive score (CPS; Dako 22C3 pharmDx assay), genomic sequencing (FoundationONE assay), and an immune gene expression assay.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were enrolled from February 2017 to March 2018. Twenty-seven patients (54%) had cT3 tumor, 21 (42%) cT2 tumor, and two (4%) cT2-3N1 tumor. One patient (2%) experienced a grade 3 transaminase increase and discontinued pembrolizumab. All patients underwent RC; there were 21 patients with pT0 (42%; 95% CI, 28.2% to 56.8%). As a secondary end point, downstaging to pT<2 was achieved in 27 patients (54%; 95% CI, 39.3% to 68.2%). In 54.3% of patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 10% (n = 35), RC indicated pT0, whereas RC indicated pT0 in only 13.3% of those with CPS < 10% (n = 15). A significant nonlinear association between tumor mutation burden (TMB) and pT0 was observed, with a cutoff at 15 mutations/Mb. Expression of several genes in pretherapy lesions was significantly different between pT0 and non-pT0 cohorts. Significant post-therapy changes in the TMB and evidence of adaptive mechanisms of immune resistance were observed in residual tumors.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab resulted in 42% of patients with pT0 and was safely administered in patients with MIBC. This study indicates that pembrolizumab could be a worthwhile neoadjuvant therapy for the treatment of MIBC when limited to patients with PD-L1-positive or high-TMB tumors.

Update of the ICUD-SIU International Consultation on Bladder Cancer 2018: urinary diversion

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive overview and update of the joint consultation of the International Consultation on Urological Diseases (ICUD) and Société Internationale d'Urologie on Bladder Cancer Urinary Diversion (UD).

METHODS

A detailed analysis of the literature was conducted reporting on the different modalities of UD. For this updated publication, an exhaustive search was conducted in PubMed for recent relevant papers published between October 2013 and August 2018. Via this search, a total of 438 references were identified and 52 of them were finally eligible for analysis. An international, multidisciplinary expert committee evaluated and graded the data according to the Oxford System of Evidence-based Medicine.

RESULTS

The incidence of early complications has been reported retrospectively in the range of 20-57%. Unfortunately, only a few randomized controlled studies exist within the field of UD. Consequently, almost all studies used in this report are of level 3-4 evidence including expert opinion based on "first principles" research.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications rates overall following RC and UD are significant, and when strict reporting criteria are incorporated, they are much higher than previously published. Complications can occur up to 20 years after surgery, emphasizing the need for lifelong follow-up. Progress has been made to prevent complications implementing robotic surgery and fast track protocols. Preoperative patient information, patient selection, surgical techniques, and careful postoperative follow-up are the cornerstones to achieve good results.