The effect of squamous and/or glandular differentiation on recurrence, progression and survival in urothelial carcinoma of bladder

Dual role of GRHL3 in bladder carcinogenesis depending on histological subtypes

The effect of grainyhead-like transcription factor 3 (GRHL3) on cancer development depends on the cancer subtypes as shown in tumor entities such as colorectal or oral squamous cell carcinomas. Here, we analyzed the subtype-specific role of GRHL3 in bladder carcinogenesis, comparing common urothelial carcinoma (UC) with squamous bladder cancer (sq-BLCA). We examined GRHL3 mRNA and protein expression in cohorts of patient samples, its prognostic role and its functional impact on tumorigeneses in different molecular and histopathological subtypes of bladder cancer. We showed for GRHL3 a reverse expression in squamous and urothelial bladder cancer subtypes. Stably GRHL3-overexpressing EJ28, J82, and SCaBER in vitro models revealed a tumor-suppressive function in squamous and an oncogenic role in the urothelial cancer cells affecting cell and colony growth, and migratory and invasive capacities. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated highly subtype-specific GRHL3-regulated expression networks coined by the enrichment of genes involved in integrin-mediated pathways. In SCaBER, loss of ras homolog family member A (RHOA) GTPase activity was demonstrated to be associated with co-regulation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E family member 3 (EIF4E3), a potential tumor suppressor gene. Thus, our data provide for the first time a detailed insight into the role of the transcription factor GRHL3 in different histopathological subtypes of bladder cancer.

The Impact of Variant Histology in Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Radical Cystectomy: Can We Predict the Presence of Variant Histology?

Considering the divergent biological behaviors of certain histological subtypes of urothelial carcinoma, it would be of great importance to examine the impact of variant histology and to predict its presence in patients with bladder cancer. A single-center cohort study included 459 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma between 2017 and 2021. Patients were followed up with until July 2022. We compared clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic characteristics and the overall survival between patients with pure urothelial carcinoma and variant histologies. Our results showed that the patients with variant histology were older and preoperatively more frequently had hydronephrosis and higher values of leukocytes and neutrophils. Also, we found a significant association between variant histology and an advanced stage of tumor disease, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, positive surgical margins, and metastases in surgically resected lymph nodes. The number of neutrophils was identified as an independent preoperative predictor of the presence of variant histology after a radical cystectomy. The overall survival of the patients with variant histology was significantly lower compared to the patients with pure urothelial carcinoma. According to our results, the presence of variant histology represents a more aggressive form of the disease. Preoperative neutrophil counts may indicate the presence of variant histology of urothelial carcinoma in patients with bladder cancer.

Cytokeratin 10 (CK10) expression in cancer: A tissue microarray study on 11,021 tumors

Cytokeratin 10 (CK10) is a type I acidic low molecular weight cytokeratin which is mainly expressed in keratinizing squamous epithelium of the skin. Variable levels of CK10 protein have been described in squamous carcinomas of different sites and in some other epithelial neoplasms. To comprehensively determine the prevalence of CK10 expression in normal and neoplastic tissues, a tissue microarray containing 11,021 samples from 131 different tumor types and subtypes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. CK10 immunostaining was detectable in 41 (31.3 %) of 131 tumor categories, including 18 (13.7 %) tumor types with at least one strongly positive case. The highest rate of positive staining was found in squamous cell carcinomas from various sites of origin (positive in 18.6 %-66.1 %) and in Warthin tumors of salivary glands (47.8 %), followed by various tumor entities known to potentially exhibit areas with squamous cell differentiation such as teratomas (33.3 %), basal cell carcinomas of the skin (14.3 %), adenosquamous carcinomas of the cervix (11.1 %), and several categories of urothelial neoplasms (3.1 %-16.8 %). In a combined analysis of 956 squamous cell carcinomas from 11 different sites of origin, reduced CK10 staining was linked to high grade (p < 0.0001) and advanced stage (p = 0.0015) but unrelated to HPV infection. However, CK10 staining was not statistically related to grade (p = 0.1509) and recurrence-free (p = 0.5247) or overall survival (p = 0.5082) in 176 cervical squamous cell carcinomas. In the urinary bladder, CK10 staining occurred more commonly in muscle-invasive (17.7 %) than in non-invasive urothelial carcinomas (4.0 %-6.0 %; p < 0.0001). In summary, our data corroborate a role of CK10 as a suitable marker for mature, keratinizing squamous cell differentiation in epithelial tissues. CK10 immunohistochemistry may thus be instrumental for a more objective evaluation of the clinical significance of focal squamous differentiation in cancer.

Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer with Variant Histology: Biological Features and Clinical Implications

BACKGROUND

The most common bladder cancer (BC) histotype is pure urothelial carcinoma (UC), which may undergo divergent differentiation in some cases. Variant histology (VH) presents along variable morphologies, either single or combined between them or with pure UC. From a clinical standpoint, the vast majority of BC is diagnosed at non-invasive or minimally invasive stages, namely as non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC). There is a wide range of therapeutic options for patients with NMIBC, according to their clinical and pathological features. However, current risk stratification models do not show optimal effectiveness. Evidence from the literature suggests that VH has peculiar biological features, and may be associated with poorer survival outcomes compared to pure UC.

SUMMARY

In order to describe the biological features and prognostic/predictive role of VH in NMIBC, and to discuss current treatment options, we performed a systematic literature search through multiple databases (PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar) for relevant articles according to the following terms, single and/or in combination: "non-muscle invasive bladder cancer," "variant histology," "micropapillary variant," "glandular differentiation," "squamous differentiation," "nested variant," "plasmacytoid variant," and "sarcomatoid variant." We extracted 99 studies including original articles, reviews, and systematic reviews, and subsequently analyzed data from 16 studies reporting on the outcome of NMIBC with VH. We found that the relative rarity of these forms as well as the heterogeneity in study populations and therapeutic protocols results in conflicting findings overall. Key Messages: The presence of VH should be taken into account when counseling a patient with NMIBC, since it may upgrade the disease to high-risk tumor and thus warrant a more aggressive treatment.

Neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is generally a highly aggressive malignancy with early and mostly distant recurrences. Cisplatin-based combinations have been established as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to radical cystectomy (RC) providing overall survival as well as disease-free survival benefit. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma and are being tested in the neoadjuvant setting as well.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the existing guidelines for the management of MIBC. It summarizes the use of different NAC regimens. It also discusses the published literature of ICIs in this setting and explores future perspectives.

EXPERT OPINION

Cisplatin-based NAC is the standard of care in MIBC prior to RC. Cisplatin-ineligible MIBC patients have not demonstrated to clearly benefit from a chemotherapy regimen and proceed directly to RC, although novel agents have been evaluated in this setting. Pembrolizumab and atezolizumab as monotherapy have shown feasibility and promising pathologic response rates. The combination of cisplatin-based chemotherapy with ICIs and chemotherapy-free ICI alone approaches are being investigated in randomized trials. Molecular subclassification and development of predictive biomarkers in MIBC will further help to identify optimal treatment strategies in these patients.

Differentiation of Urothelial Carcinoma into Two Distinct Subtypes, Glandular and Squamous, in Three Different Organs

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a unique entity with different histological variants: squamous, glandular, small cell, micropapillary, sarcomatoid, and plasmacytoid. Each of those subtypes behaves differently. As such, and in many scenarios, an accurate histological diagnosis is of paramount importance to dictate the therapeutic approach. We hereby present a unique case of urothelial carcinoma that differentiated into two distinct histological subtypes, squamous and glandular, in three different organs within the genitourinary tract. We also describe the pathological and clinical differences entailed between the two histological variants in bladder and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Luteolin suppresses bladder cancer growth via regulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway

Luteolin is a natural flavonoid with strong anti–oxidative properties that is reported to have an anti–cancer effect in several malignancies other than bladder cancer. In this study, we describe the effect of luteolin on a human bladder cancer cell line, T24, in the context of the regulation of p21, thioredoxin‐1 (TRX1) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Luteolin inhibited cell survival and induced G2/M cell‐cycle arrest, p21 upregulation and downregulation of phospho(p)‐S6, which is downstream of mTOR signaling. Luteolin also upregulated TRX1 and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species production. In a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model using the rat bladder cancer cell line, BC31, tumor volumes were significantly decreased in mice orally administered luteolin compared to control. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that increased p21 and decreased p‐S6 expression were induced in the luteolin treatment group. Moreover, in another in vivo N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)‐induced rat bladder cancer model, the oral administration of luteolin led to a trend of decreased bladder tumor dimension and significantly decreased the Ki67‐labeling index and p‐S6 expression. Furthermore, the major findings on the metabolism of luteolin suggest that both plasma and urine luteolin‐3ʹ‐O‐glucuronide concentrations are strongly associated with the inhibition of cell proliferation and mTOR signaling. Moreover, a significant decrease in the squamous differentiation of bladder cancer is attributed to plasma luteolin‐3ʹ‐glucuronide concentration. In conclusion, luteolin, and in particular its metabolized product, may represent another natural product‐derived therapeutic agent that acts against bladder cancer by upregulating p21 and inhibiting mTOR signaling.

Impact of squamous differentiation on intravesical recurrence and prognosis of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Background

The prognostic role of squamous differentiation in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is still unclear. This article describes the impact of squamous differentiation on prognosis and intravesical recurrence of patients with primary UTUC treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods

Totally, we retrieved (I) 669 histologically confirmed UTUC patients without histologic variants; (II) 101 UTUC patients with squamous differentiation in our institution, dating from April 2003 to April 2016. The clinical pathological characteristics and survival outcomes were compared between these two cohorts.

Results

In our study, 13% UTUC patients were detected with squamous differentiation. The mean age of all the patients examined was 66, of whom 70% were males. Squamous differentiation significantly associated with tumor stage, tumor grade and lymphovascular invasion. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses showed that presence of squamous differentiation was correlated with shorter cancer specific survival of UTUC patients. The 5-year cancer specific survival rates were 47% for squamous differentiation-present patients and 63% for squamous differentiation-absent patients. UTUC patients with squamous differentiation showed a higher frequency of high-grade disease in advanced stage (pT2/pT3/pT4), while the discrepancy was not shown in early stage (pTa/pT1). Intravesical recurrence was observed in 27% patients. We found that intravesical recurrence had little impact on the cancer specific survival of squamous differentiation-present patients, yet it tended to decrease cancer specific survival among squamous differentiation-absent patients.

Conclusions

The presence of squamous differentiation in UTUC patients was a vital prognostic factor for cancer specific survival and correlated with intravesical recurrence after receiving RNU.

Clinical Significance of Squamous Differentiation in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder

The prognostic value of squamous differentiation (SD) in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical significance of SD in UC in terms of oncological outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). We evaluated consecutive patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC; clinical T2-4aN0M0) treated with RC at our institution from March 2003 to March 2017. We enrolled 20 and 81 patients with UC with SD (UCSD) and pure UC, respectively. Postoperative survival outcomes were compared between the patients with UCSD and pure UC using the Kaplan-Meier method. Pre- and postcystectomy factors that influenced the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were investigated in these patients. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify the predictors of OS and RFS. With a median follow-up time of 31 months, the 5-year OS rate of the UCSD and pure UC groups was 41.1% and 69.7% (P = .002) and the 5-year RFS rate was 51.8% and 59.5% (P = .027), respectively. The shape of the Kaplan-Meier curves for UCSD suggested a more rapid course of the disease within the first 2 years than observed in pure UC. Multivariate analyses suggested that SD in UC was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-14.8; P = .024) and close to significance for a lower RFS (HR: 2.13, 95% CI: 0.74-6.15, P = .064). Our results indicate that SD may be an independent predictor of OS and RFS in UC of MIBC in patients undergoing RC.

Glandular differentiation in pT1 urothelial carcinoma of bladder predicts poor prognosis

To evaluate the effect of glandular differentiation (GD) on tumor recurrence and progression of pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). We performed a retrospective analysis of 82 bladder urothelial carcinoma with glandular differentiation (UCGD) patients which was pathologically diagnosed as pT1, 166 patients of pT1 UC of bladder without histologic variants served as controls. Patients of UCGD were more likely to have higher recurrence (P = 0.002) rate and higher progression rate (P < 0.001). Moreover, UCGD and a poor 5 -year overall survival (OS) (P = 0.02) while there was no difference in cancer-specific survival (CSS) (P = 0.062) between two groups. According to univariate analysis, largest tumor size (HR 1.502, CI 1.158–1.861, P = 0.029), UCGD (HR 1.787, CI 1.298–2.552, P = 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR 1.226, CI 1.013–1.945, P = 0.039). UCGD (HR 1.367, CI 1.115–1.853, P = 0.038) and LVI (HR 1.416, CI 1.120–2.254, P = 0.013) were prognostic factors associated with disease recurrence and progression, respectively. Additionally, Additionally, UCGD significantly influence disease recurrence (HR 1.871, CI 1.338–2.589, P < 0.001) and progression (HR 1.462, CI 1.138–2.393, p = 0.007). Similarly, LVI significantly influence disease recurrence (HR 1.356, CI 1.053–2.174, P = 0.042) and progression (HR 1.348, CI 1.052–1.944, p = 0.022) in multivariate analysis. UCGD is significantly associated with higher recurrence and progression rate in patients with newly diagnosed pT1. Recurrent cases should be performed radical cystectomy (RC) earlier.

Squamous differentiation in patients with superficial bladder urothelial carcinoma is associated with high risk of recurrence and poor survival

Background

The independent prognostic role of squamous differentiation in pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma has not been reported in previous studies. This article describes the impact of squamous differentiation on tumor recurrence and survival, and whether this histologic variant could indeed alter definitive treatment, based on single center-based retrospective data.

Methods

Totally, we retrieved (1)1449 histologically confirmed pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma patients without histologic variants; (2)227 pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma patients with squamous differentiation in our institution, from May 2004 to Oct 2015. The total amount of high/low grade urothelial carcinoma patients was 991/685 respectively. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and intravesical chemotherapy were performed as initial treatments for all the patients. The clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment and survival outcomes were compared between squamous differentiation-positive and squamous differentiation-negative patients.

Results

In our study, 14% urothelial carcinoma patients were detected with squamous differentiation. The mean age of all the patients examined was 66.4, of whom 82% were males. The 5-year cancer specific survival rates were 69% for squamous differentiation-positive patients and 91% for squamous differentiation-negative patients (p < 0.001). Recurrence proved to be more common in squamous differentiation-positive patients than in negative patients. In the results of the univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, recurrence and squamous differentiation were confirmed to be the prognostic factors associated with patients’ survival.

Conclusions

Squamous differentiation in pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma is correlated to high risk of recurrence and poor prognosis as an independent prognostic factor. Radical cystectomy is essential for recurred high grade pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation accompanied by lymphovascular invasion.

Squamous Differentiation Predicts Poor Response to Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy and Unfavorable Prognosis in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of chemotherapy on UCSD is not known. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of cisplatin-based chemotherapy and prognosis of patients with UC with or without SD of the bladder.

METHODS

Patients with invasive bladder cancer (clinical T3-4aN0M0) who were treated between March 2003 and March 2015 with 2 or 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Treatment outcomes were compared for each pathologic type in UCSD and pure UC. The primary end point was pathologic response in the cystectomy specimens. Disease-free survival and overall survival were secondary end points.

RESULTS

We evaluated 9 patients with UCSD and 29 patients with pure UC. In the cystectomy specimens, pathologic complete response without residual tumors was not seen in any patients with UCSD, but evident in 10 patients (34.5%) with pure UC. The proportion of pathologic downstaging was significantly lower in patients with UCSD than in those with pure UC (11.1% vs. 51.7%; P = .031). Patients with UCSD had poorer disease-free survival (P < .001) and overall survival (P = .001) than those with pure UC. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, SD in UC was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio, 4.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-13.6, P = .009) and mortality (hazard ratio, 3.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-11.1, P = .032).

CONCLUSIONS

UCSD of the bladder is less sensitive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy and has poor prognosis.

Impact of squamous and/or glandular differentiation on recurrence and progression following transurethral resection for non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma of bladder

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of squamous and/or glandular differentiation on the recurrence and progression in patients with nonmuscle invasive urothelial carcinoma of bladder (NMIUCB) following transurethral resection (TURBT). A total of 869 patients with NMIUCB who had been treated with TURBT at The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University (Tianjin, China) between January 2006 and January 2011 were retrospectively selected for the present analysis. Associations among squamous and/or glandular differentiation with other clinical and pathological features were assessed by the χ2 test. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed through a Cox's proportional hazards regression model. Among the 869 patients, 232 (26.7%) patients had squamous and/or glandular differentiation. High grade tumors were more common in patients with squamous and/or glandular differentiation compared with those with pure urothelial carcinoma of bladder (P<0.001). Associations between age (P=0.115), sex (P=0.184), tumor size (P=0.223), tumor multiplicity (P=0.108), pathological tumor stage (P=0.909) and squamous and/or glandular differentiation were not observed to be statistically significant. There was a significant tendency towards higher recurrence rate and shorter RFS time in patients with squamous and/or glandular differentiation. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in progression rate and PFS between the two groups. The multivariate Cox regression analysis, identified squamous and/or glandular differentiation as an independent prognostic predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio =1.46, 95% confidence interval=1.10–1.92, P=0.008). In the present study, the presence of squamous and/or glandular differentiation was associated with a higher recurrence rate and shorter RFS time in patients with NMIUCB. Squamous and/or glandular differentiation is therefore an independent prognostic predictor of recurrence.

Single-cell analyses of transcriptional heterogeneity in squamous cell carcinoma of urinary bladder

Cell-to-cell expression heterogeneity within a single tumor is a common phenotype among various cancer types including squamous cell carcinoma. To further study the fundamentals and importance of heterogeneity of cell functions and its potential mechanisms, we performed single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) on human squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) and its corresponding physiologically normal epithelia. Extensive differentially expressed genes were uncovered by comparing cancer and normal single cells, which were preferentially enriched in cancer-correlated pathways, such as p53 signaling and bladder cancer pathway. Furthermore, the most diversely expressed genes were particularly enriched in MAPK signaling pathway, such as CACNG4, CACNA1E and CACNA1H, which involve in cancer evolution and heterogeneity formation. Co-expression network and hub-gene analyses revealed several remarkable "hub genes" of each regulatory module. Some of them are cancer related, such as POU2F3, NKD1 and CYP2C8, while LINC00189, GCC2 and OR9Q1 genes are rarely reported in human diseases. The genes within an interesting module are highly correlated with others, which could be treated as potential targets for SCCB patients. Our findings have fundamental implications for SCCB biology and therapeutic strategies.

Outcomes of squamous histology in bladder cancer: a population-based study

OBJECTIVES

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder is an uncommon form of bladder cancer. Using a large population-based sample we sought to describe the outcomes of patients with squamous histology and to define the factors that influence prognosis in these patients.

METHODS

All incident cases of bladder cancer in Ontario undergoing cystectomy from 1994 to 2008 were identified. Electronic treatment records and detailed pathologic information were linked to the study data set. Patients were divided into 3 cohorts: pure SCC, urothelial carcinoma (UC) with squamous differentiation (UCSD), and pure UC. Cox modeling was performed to evaluate factors associated with overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

RESULTS

There were identified 178, 325, and 2,884 cases of SCC, UCSD, and UC, respectively. The unadjusted 5-year OS for these groups were 33%, 28%, and 34%, respectively. Patients had higher rates of T3/4 disease with SCC (72%) and UCSD (73%) than those with UC (61%, P<0.001). There was no difference in node positivity among groups (20%, 27%, and 25%, P = 0.519). After adjusting for covariates, SCC did not portend a worse survival, at 5 years. However, SCC did result in a more rapid disease trajectory, with survival curves of SCC and UC crossing at the 5-year mark. Adjusted CSS/OS of UCSD was also not significantly different from UC. Among those patients with SCC, factors associated with CSS included age>70 (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.16-3.30), T category≥3 (HR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.24-3.50), N positive disease (HR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.55-4.32), lymphovascular invasion (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.13-3.47), and positive surgical margins (HR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.47-5.93).

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for patient and disease characteristics, we have found that SCC leads to a more rapid disease course with survival that is equivalent to UC by 5 years.

Sensitivity of initial biopsy or transurethral resection of bladder tumor(s) for detecting histological variants on radical cystectomy

Background

To investigate the efficacy of initial biopsy or transurethral resection of bladder tumor for detecting histological variants on radical cystectomy and to assess the prognostic significance of variant histology on urothelial carcinoma outcomes after radical cystectomy.

Methods

Clinical and histopathological characteristics of 147 patients with variant histology who underwent radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma between 2006 and 2012 were assessed. Sensitivity was calculated as the proportion of radical cystectomy specimens with a particular variant that also presented the variant in the biopsy or transurethral resection specimen. The Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were used to estimate cancer-specific survival.

Results

Of the 147 patients, 116 (79 %) were diagnosed with a single variant histology, and 31 (21 %) had multiple patterns. Squamous differentiation (31 %) was the most common single variant histology, followed by glandular differentiation (28 %). Except for small cell variant (100 %), the sensitivity of biopsy and transurethral resection was most effective for the diagnosis of squamous differentiation, 19 % vs. 40 % respectively, followed by glandular differentiation, 11 % vs. 21 % respectively. A total of 6 % and 49 % patients could be variant-free partially due to biopsy or complete resection(s) respectively. Presence of variant differentiation in urothelial carcinoma at cystectomy was significantly associated with inferior survival both in univariate analysis (P = 0.005) and multivariate analysis (HR4.48, 95 % CI:1.03-19.53).

Conclusions

Overall sensitivity of biopsy or transurethral resection to detect variant differentiation on cystectomy is relatively low. Patients with variant differentiation on cystectomy specimens have inferior survival.

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.

Novel markers of squamous differentiation in the urinary bladder

Urinary bladder squamous cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation are often high-grade and high-stage tumors that are thought to be associated with a poorer prognosis and response to therapy compared with urothelial carcinoma without divergent differentiation. Therefore, recognition of a squamous component is increasingly important in guiding prognosis and therapy. We investigated the expression of MAC387, desmoglein-3, and TRIM29 in pure squamous cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation to determine whether they have utility as diagnostic biomarkers for squamous differentiation. Eighty-four cases were retrieved from participating institutions including 51 pure urinary bladder squamous cell carcinomas and 33 urothelial carcinomas with squamous differentiation. MAC387, desmoglein-3, and TRIM29 antibodies demonstrated positive staining in pure squamous cell carcinoma in 51 (100%), 46 (90%), and 48 (93%) cases, respectively. Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation showed reactivity for MAC387, desmoglein-3, and TRIM29 in the squamous component for 32 (97%), 26 (79%), and 32 (97%) cases, respectively. MAC387 demonstrated a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 70% for squamous differentiation, whereas desmoglein-3 yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 91%. No urothelial component showed greater than 10% labeling for desmoglein-3. TRIM29 labeling showed a sensitivity of 95%, but a poorer specificity of 33%. In summary, MAC387 and desmoglein-3 are reliable diagnostic markers for supporting the morphologic impression of squamous differentiation in urinary bladder carcinoma. Desmoglein-3 shows high specificity, whereas TRIM29 was most likely to demonstrate labeling in areas without light microscopically recognizable squamous differentiation.

Does presence of squamous and glandular differentiation in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder at cystectomy portend poor prognosis? An intensive case-control analysis

OBJECTIVE

The prognostic significance of squamous and glandular elements, the most common histologic variants of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), is unclear. This study aimed to examine the sole influence of squamous or glandular or both differentiation on UCB outcome following cystectomy and to identify factors that explain the relatively poor prognosis observed in UCB patients with these differentiation elements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2,444 patients who underwent radical cystectomy with extended lymph node dissection at a single referral center between 1976 and 2008 were considered. We identified 141, 97, and 21 patients with squamous, glandular, and squamous + glandular differentiation elements, respectively ("cases"). Pure UCB patients without differentiation were matched 1:1 to these cases for demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics ("controls"). Cases were also compared with an independent cohort of 1,244 pure UCB controls. Recurrence-free and overall survivals were compared between cohorts using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses.

RESULTS

Median follow-up for cases, controls, and independent control cohort was 15.2, 11.0, and 12.2 years, respectively. Cases were matched to controls for pathologic stage (chi-square P = 1.00) and administration of intravesical agents (P≥0.85), neoadjuvant (P≥0.31), and adjuvant (P≥0.96) chemotherapy. Cases were also balanced with controls for age, gender, and race (P≥0.30). Following this intensive matching, no differences in outcomes between cases and controls were observed (log-rank P≥0.12). Pathologic stage was predictive of outcome in cases with differentiation by multivariable analysis (P≤0.004). When compared to an independent control cohort, cases with differentiation were observed to present with higher pathologic stage at cystectomy (chi-square P≤0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes of UCB patients with squamous or glandular or both differentiation are similar to those of patients with pure UCB, given comparable demographic, clinicopathologic, and management characteristics. However, UCB with differentiation present with higher pathologic stage, thus explaining the aggressive clinical course in these patients.

Desmocollin 2 is a new immunohistochemical marker indicative of squamous differentiation in urothelial carcinoma

AIMS

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) with squamous differentiation tends to present at higher stages than pure UC. To distinguish UC with squamous differentiation from pure UC, a sensitive and specific marker is needed. Desmocollin 2 (DSC2) is a protein localized in desmosomal junctions of stratified epithelium, but little is known about its biological significance in bladder cancer. We examined the utility of DSC2 as a diagnostic marker.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed the immunohistochemical characteristics of DSC2, and studied the relationship of DSC2 expression with the expression of the known markers uroplakin III (UPIII), cytokeratin (CK)7, CK20, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and p53. DSC2 staining was detected in 24 of 25 (96%) cases of UC with squamous differentiation, but in none of 85 (0%) cases of pure UC. DSC2 staining was detected only in areas of squamous differentiation. DSC2 expression was mutually exclusive of UPIII expression, and was correlated with EGFR expression. Furthermore, DSC2 expression was correlated with higher stage (P = 0.0314) and poor prognosis (P = 0.0477).

CONCLUSIONS

DSC2 staining offers high sensitivity (96%) and high specificity (100%) for the detection of squamous differentiation in UC. DSC2 is a useful immunohistochemical marker for separation of UC with squamous differentiation from pure UC.

Histologic variants of urothelial bladder cancer and nonurothelial histology in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer can be classified histologically as urothelial or non-urothelial. Urothelial cancer has a propensity for divergent differentiation, which has increasingly been recognized in recent years due to heightened awareness and improved immunohistochemistry techniques. Furthermore, the recent World Health Organization classification of urothelial cancers improved clarity on this issue, with its listing of 13 histologic variants of urothelial cancer. The divergent differentiation patterns include, amongst others, squamous, glandular, micropapillary, nested, lymphepithelioma-like, plasmacytoid and sarcomatoid variants of urothelial cancer. Attempts to quantify the amount of divergent differentiation present, such as using the nonconventional differentiation number, have been made recently, which will improve the ability to compare publications from different centres. Genetic-based studies have indicated that the histologic variants of urothelial cancer arise from a common clonal precursor. Mostly, the current evidence suggests that urothelial cancer with divergent differentiation has a worse prognosis when compared with pure urothelial cancer. This article will review the current literature on variant histologies of urothelial cancer, and well as new developments in pure squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the bladder.

Expression of RFC/SLC19A1 is associated with tumor type in bladder cancer patients

Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) ranks ninth in worldwide cancer. In Egypt, the pattern of bladder cancer is unique in that both the transitional and squamous cell types prevail. Despite much research on the topic, it is still difficult to predict tumor progression, optimal therapy and clinical outcome. The reduced folate carrier (RFC/SLC19A1) is the major transport system for folates in mammalian cells and tissues. RFC is also the primary means of cellular uptake for antifolate cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, however, membrane transport of antifolates by RFC is considered as limiting to antitumor activity. The purpose of this study was to compare the mRNA expression level of RFC/SLC19A1 in urothelial and non-urothelial variants of bladder carcinomas. Quantification of RFC mRNA in the mucosa of 41 untreated bladder cancer patients was performed using RT-qPCR. RFC mRNA steady-state levels were ∼9-fold higher (N = 39; P<0.0001) in bladder tumor specimens relative to normal bladder mRNA. RFC upregulation was strongly correlated with tumor type (urothelial vs. non-urothelial; p<0.05) where median RFC mRNA expression was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the urothelial (∼14-fold) compared to the non-urothelial (∼4-fold) variant. This may account for the variation in response to antifolate-containing regimens used in the treatment of either type. RFC mRNA levels were not associated with tumor grade (I, II and III) or stage (muscle-invasive vs. non-muscle invasive) implying that RFC cannot be used for prognostic purposes in bladder carcinomas and its increased expression is an early event in human bladder tumors pathogenesis. Further, RFC can be considered as a potential marker for predicting response to antifolate chemotherapy in urothelial carcinomas.

Different immunohistochemical and ultrastructural phenotypes of squamous differentiation in bladder cancer

Besides worse prognosis of bladder cancer with squamous differentiation (pure squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or mixed urothelial carcinoma (UC/SCC)), high-grade non-keratinising squamous differentiation is difficult to identify in haematoxylin-eosin stainings. This study aims to validate routine immunohistochemical markers for squamous differentiation in a larger cohort of patients. Tissue microarrays of 89 pure SCCs and mixed UC/SCCs, 66 urothelial carcinomas (UC), precursor lesions and normal urothelium were stained for cytokeratin (CK) 5/6, CK 5/14, CK 7, CK 20 and uroplakin III. Electron microscopy was performed to confirm the differentiation. Pure SCCs displayed staining throughout the epithelium for CK 5/6 (76.6% (36/47)) and CK 5/14 (95.8% (46/48)), focal staining for CK 7 (28.9% (13/45)) and no staining for CK 20 and uroplakin III (both 0% (0/48)). UCs exhibited a basal or diffuse staining for CK 5/6 (30.2% (16/53)) and CK 5/14 (57.1% (32/56)), focal positivity for CK 7 (83.6% (46/55)), CK 20 (50.9% (29/57)) and uroplakin III (21.8% (12/55)). Each marker discriminated SCC and UC significantly (p < 0.01). A third subgroup rarely showed full epithelial staining for CK 5/6 (14.3% (1/7)) and CK 5/14 (28.6% (2/7)), focal staining for CK 7 (85.7% (6/7)) and no staining for CK 20 and uroplakin III (both 0% (0/7)). Electron microscopy could prove both, SCC and UC characteristics, revealing a transient type. A staining pattern with CK 5/6- and CK 5/14-positivity plus CK 20- and uroplakin III-negativity identified squamous differentiation in bladder tumours and revealed a third type of squamous transdifferentiation.