A New and Highly Prognostic System to Discern T1 Bladder Cancer Substage

Prognostic role of substaging in T1G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

This study was conducted to test a new substaging system in a population of patients with stage T1 bladder cancer (BC) at diagnosis and assess its prognostic role in terms of disease progression and disease-specific survival (DSS). Patients with primary stage T1G3 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were stratified according to the following models: i) T1a [the tumour does not infiltrate the muscularis mucosae-vascular plexus, (MM-VP)]; T1b (the tumour partially infiltrates the MM-VP); and T1c (the tumour infiltrates and invades the MM-VP). ii) T1m (diameter of tumour infiltrating the lamina propria ≤0.5 mm under a high-resolution microscope; and T1e (diameter of tumour infiltrating the lamina propria >0.5 mm). Age, gender, tumour size and multifocality were not found to be of statistical significance. Using the T1a/T1b/T1c system, patients with stage T1a disease exhibited a 5- and 10-year progression rate of 13.3 and 20%, respectively, without reaching statistical significance. Moreover, patients with stage T1a disease exhibited a 5- and 10-year DSS of 93.3 and 73.3%, respectively, which was higher compared to T1b and T1c but not statistically significant. Using the T1m/T1e system, patients with stage T1m disease exhibited a disease progression rate of 8.3 and 16.7% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, which was not statistically significant. Moreover, patients in group T1m presented with DSS rates of 91.7 and 83.3% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, which were higher compared to those in the T1e group (71.4 and 60.7%), although not reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, in our study, neither of the two substaging systems of stage T1 BC reached the prognostic conventional significance level for tumour progression or DSS.

Defining progression in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: it is time for a new, standard definition

PURPOSE

Despite being one of the most important clinical outcomes in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, there is currently no standard definition of disease progression. Major clinical trials and meta-analyses have used varying definitions or have failed to define this end point altogether. A standard definition of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer progression as determined by reproducible and reliable procedures is needed. We examine current definitions of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer progression, and propose a new definition that will be more clinically useful in determining patient prognosis and comparing treatment options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The IBCG (International Bladder Cancer Group) analyzed published clinical trials and meta-analyses that examined nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer progression as of December 2012. The limitations of the definitions of progression used in these trials were considered, as were additional parameters associated with the advancement of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

RESULTS

The most commonly used definition of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer progression is an increase in stage from nonmuscle invasive to muscle invasive disease. Although this definition is clinically important, it fails to include other important parameters of advancing disease such as progression to lamina propria invasion and increase in grade.

CONCLUSIONS

The IBCG proposes the definition of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer progression as an increase in T stage from CIS or Ta to T1 (lamina propria invasion), development of T2 or greater or lymph node (N+) disease or distant metastasis (M1), or an increase in grade from low to high. Investigators should consider the use of this new definition to help standardize protocols and improve the reporting of progression.

Introduction and first clinical application of a simplified immunohistochemical validation system confirms prognostic impact of KI-67 and CK20 for stage T1 urothelial bladder carcinoma: single-center analysis of eight biomarkers in a series of three hundred six patients

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers could help to estimate the prognosis of solid tumors. One of the reasons that many immunohistochemical (IHC) markers are not used routinely is the high interobserver variability and various cutoff values. In the present study, we used a simplified IHC method with a group of 8 biomarkers in stage pT1 urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

IHC expression of CK20, KI-67, STK15, MUC7, periostin, fibronectin, survivin, and CXCR4 was assessed independently by 2 reviewers in a series of 306 stage pT1 UBC specimens from a single center in 10% steps from < 10% up to > 90%. A general center < 10% vs. ≥ 10% was set for further analysis for all markers. All patients initially underwent a bladder-sparing approach. Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariate Cox regression analyses of recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were performed.

RESULTS

A cutoff point ≥ 10% was shown to be valid and reliable for marker expression, with 96% interobserver agreement. Of the studied marker expressions, ≥ 10% for Ki-67 showed a statistically significant worse RFS (54% vs. 64%; P = .004), PFS (66% vs. 73%; P = .001), and CSS (71% vs. 77%; P = .015); ≥ 10% for CK20 showed a worse RFS (57% vs. 58%; P = .009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed CK20 to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08; confidence interval [95% CI]; 1.21-3.57; P = .008) and Ki-67 for progression (HR, 2.11; CI, 1.02-4.37; P = .045).

CONCLUSION

We proposed and applied a simplified IHC evaluation that increases interobserver agreement and confirms the prognostic role of Ki-67 and CK20 for stage T1 UBC.

Estrogen receptor-β expression and pharmacological targeting in bladder cancer

A role for estrogen signaling in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is suggested to be associated with more advanced disease with worse outcomes in women. Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is the predominant receptor in bladder tissues. We aimed to ascertain whether ERβ correlates with clinicopathological predictors of aggressive bladder cancer and worse survival outcomes. ERβ was measured by immunohistochemistry in malignant and adjacent benign bladder tissues in patients (N=72) with UCB who underwent radical cystectomy. ERβ expression was tested for statistical association with clinicopathological variables and patient survival. ERβ expression was determined in bladder cancer cell lines, and the effects of the selective estrogen modulator tamoxifen and the ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile on cell growth were determined. The ERβ level was significantly higher in malignant vs. benign urothelium (P<0.001) and was strongly associated with aggressive tumor histology characterized by lymphovascular (P=0.008) and perineural (P=0.006) invasion, and clinical histories of pelvic irradiation (P=0.005), hydronephrosis (P=0.022) and no intravesical chemotherapy (P=0.038). All patients with a high (>70%) percentage of ERβ positivity in tissue with >3-month follow-up developed recurrent disease (P=0.009). Higher ERβ level was predictive of worse recurrence-free and overall survival following cystectomy, after adjustment for tumor stage, and remained significantly associated with recurrence-free survival in the multivariable analysis including tumor stage, nodal stage and lymphovascular invasion. Activation of ERβ in bladder cancer cell lines led to significant increases in proliferation, while pharmacological inhibition with tamoxifen blocked cell growth. Our study supports a role for ERβ in aggressive UCB. Pharmacological targeting of ERβ warrants further investigation as a therapeutic strategy in UCB.

Follow-up procedures for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: an update

Bladder carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. Approximately 75-85% of patients present with a disease that is confined to the mucosa (stage Ta, carcinoma in situ) or submucosa (stage T1). The stratification of patients to low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups represents the cornerstone for the indication of adjuvant and follow-up treatment. Owing to the high recurrence rate of bladder tumors, a surveillance protocol is recommended to all patients. Currently, the combination of cystoscopy, imaging and urinary cytology represent the follow-up. A systematic review of the recent English literature on follow-up procedures of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is performed. The authors review the existing follow-up procedures, with a focus on novel molecular-targeted approaches. At the present time, the additional use and utility of urine-based molecular markers in the follow-up of patients remains unclear and we have to rely on cystoscopic evaluation adapted to risk group classification.

Predictive factors for recurrence progression and cancer specific survival in high-risk bladder cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection (TUR) and adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a large percentage of high-risk bladder cancer (HRBC) recur, and some progress. On the basis of review of the current guidelines and literature, we have developed actualized clinical and molecular prognostic factors of recurrence, progression and cancer specific survival (CSS) in patients with HRBC.

RECENT FINDINGS

A Medline search was conducted to identify the current literature updating the most important clinic and pathological predictive factors published in the last years. Also, there have been reviewed the new molecular markers that can assess prognosis and BCG response.

SUMMARY

Despite different methodological bias, as short follow-up, a small number of patients and a different definition of prognostic factors, increased evidence supports sex, age, grade, stage, multifocality, history of previous recurrences, carcinoma in situ in the prostatic urethra and early recurrence as prognostic factors for recurrence, progression and CSS in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Also lymphovascular invasion in TUR and new molecular markers (galectin-3, profilin-1, and combination of markers) are increasingly useful in predicting prognosis and BCG response. Moreover, there is enough evidence to consider the implementation of new specific risk tables for patients treated with BCG. In cases with poor prognostic factors after TUR in HRBC early cystectomy should be considered.

High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: update for a better identification and treatment

PURPOSE

Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection (TUR) and adjuvant bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), many high-risk bladder cancers (HRBCs) recur and some progress. Based on a review of the literature, we aimed to establish the optimal current approach for the early diagnosis and management of HRBC.

METHODS

A MEDLINE® search was conducted to identify the published literature relating to early identification and treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Particular attention was paid to factors such as quality of TUR, importance of second TUR, substaging, and CIS. In addition, studies on urinary markers, photodynamic diagnosis, predictive clinical and molecular factors for recurrence and progression after BCG, and best management practice were analysed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Good quality of TUR and the implementation of photodynamic diagnosis in selected cases provide a more accurate diagnosis and reduce the risk of residual tumour in HRBC. Although insufficient evidence is available to warrant the use of new urinary molecular markers in isolation, their use in conjunction with cytology and cystoscopy may improve early diagnosis and follow-up. BCG plus maintenance for at least 1 year remains the standard adjuvant treatment for HRBC. Moreover, there is enough evidence to consider the implementation of new specific risk tables for patients treated with BCG. In HRBC patients with poor prognostic factors after TUR, early cystectomy should be considered.