Current Practice in the Management of Superficial Bladder Cancer in the Netherlands and Belgian Flanders: A Survey

Effect of HLA genotype on intravesical recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

The intravesical administration of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is widely used to control the intravesical recurrence of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This study aimed to reveal the effects of zygosity on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and individual HLA genotypes on intravesical recurrence after intravesical BCG therapy for NMIBC. This study included Japanese patients who had received intravesical BCG for NMIBC. HLA genotyping of HLA-A, B, C, and DRB1 was performed. The effect of HLA zygosity and HLA genotype on intravesical recurrence was evaluated. Among 195 patients, those homozygous for the HLA-B supertype were more likely than those heterozygous for the HLA-B supertype to experience intravesical recurrence by univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.87, 1.14-3.05, P = 0.012) and multivariate analysis (HR, 95% CI; 2.26, 1.02-5.01, P = 0.045). Patients with B07 or B44 had a decreased risk of intravesical recurrence by univariate analysis (HR, 95% CI; 0.43, 0.24-0.78, P = 0.0056) and multivariate analysis (HR, 95% CI; 0.36, 0.16-0.82, P = 0.016). This study suggests the importance of the diversity and specificity of HLA-B loci in the antitumor effect of BCG immunotherapy for NMIBC. These findings may contribute to the delineation of risk strata for BCG therapy and improve the medical management of NMIBC.

The impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on intravesical recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in a genome-wide association study

OBJECTIVE

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation therapy is widely used to reduce intravesical recurrence in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). In this study, we aimed to reveal the genetic variations associated with intravesical recurrence after BCG therapy for NMIBC in a genome-wide association study (GWAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included Japanese patients with NMIBC, in whom genomic DNA was obtained from whole blood samples. The association between genetic variation and treatment failure was analyzed by GWAS in 44 patients treated with BCG instillation as a discovery cohort. Candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined separately in 47 patients treated with BCG instillation and in 62 patients treated with chemotherapeutic agent instillation as validation studies.

RESULTS

Among the 44 patients in the discovery cohort, 14 cases experienced intravesical recurrent diseases. GWAS identified 12 candidate SNPs (rs9374832, rs35176001, rs363765, rs2127120, rs4277759, rs73664140, rs1607282, rs12141654, rs4541358, rs6986852, rs12373386, and rs17637903). In the validation study, a genetic risk stratification model using the number of risk alleles in rs363765 and rs6986852 discriminated the risk of intravesical recurrence after BCG therapy, but not after non-BCG therapy.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that several SNPs were associated with intravesical recurrence after BCG therapy for NMIBC. A genetic risk model may be useful to predict intravesical recurrence after BCG therapy, warranting further research and development for clinical application.

Genome-wide association study of genetic variations associated with treatment failure after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is a key therapy to manage non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, intravesical BCG therapy fails in approximately half of the patients, leading to recurrence and progression. We aimed to reveal the genetic variations associated with treatment failure after intravesical BCG therapy for NMIBC. This study included 91 Japanese patients treated with BCG instillation for NMIBC. Genomic DNA was obtained from patient whole-blood samples, and a genome-wide association study and genotyping for target regions were performed. The association between genetic variation and treatment failure was analyzed by genome-wide association in 44 patients as the discovery cohort. As a validation study, candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined among 47 patients in another cohort. The genome-wide association study indicated 19 candidate SNPs (rs1607282, rs7825442, rs1319325, rs3738088, rs4250, rs11894207, rs161448, rs2764326, rs2814707, rs3787194, rs58081719, rs3095966, rs73520681, rs16877113, rs16887173, rs10269584, rs11772249, rs118137814, and rs61094339) associated with BCG failure. Following the cumulative analysis of candidate SNPs, 2-gene (rs73520681 and rs61094339) and 4-gene (rs4250, rs11894207, rs73520681, and rs61094339) models successfully predicted treatment failure after intravesical BCG therapy. This study showed that several SNPs were possibly associated with outcome after intravesical BCG therapy in a Japanese population with NMIBC. The cumulative models of these SNPs may have value in clinical applications, although this should be confirmed in future studies.

Bladder tissue characterization using probe-based Raman spectroscopy: Evaluation of tissue heterogeneity and influence on the model prediction

Existing approaches for early-stage bladder tumor diagnosis largely depend on invasive and time-consuming procedures, resulting in hospitalization, bleeding, bladder perforation, infection and other health risks for the patient. The reduction of current risk factors, while maintaining or even improving the diagnostic precision, is an underlying factor in clinical instrumentation research. For example, for clinic surveillance of patients with a history of noninvasive bladder tumors real-time tumor diagnosis can enable immediate laser-based removal of tumors using flexible cystoscopes in the outpatient clinic. Therefore, novel diagnostic modalities are required that can provide real-time in vivo tumor diagnosis. Raman spectroscopy provides biochemical information of tissue samples ex vivo and in vivo and without the need for complicated sample preparation and staining procedures. For the past decade there has been a rise in applications to diagnose and characterize early cancer in different organs, such as in head and neck, colon and stomach, but also different pathologies, for example, inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques. Bladder pathology has also been studied but only with little attention to aspects that can influence the diagnosis, such as tissue heterogeneity, data preprocessing and model development. The present study presents a clinical investigative study on bladder biopsies to characterize the tumor grading ex vivo, using a compact fiber probe-based imaging Raman system, as a crucial step towards in vivo Raman endoscopy. Furthermore, this study presents an evaluation of the tissue heterogeneity of highly fluorescent bladder tissues, and the multivariate statistical analysis for discrimination between nontumor tissue, and low- and high-grade tumor.

Factors affecting guideline adherence in the initial treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Retrospective study in a French peripheral hospital

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether the initial treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) was performed according to the guidelines, and to determine the reasons why initial treatment was not provided in nonadherence cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with NMIBC who underwent their first transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) at a peripheral hospital, between 2007 and 2016. The treatment offered to the patient was compared to the European Association of Urology guidelines according to risk stratification. For each patient who did not receive the treatment according to the guidelines, one of the following reasons was identified: poor patient compliance, poor patient general health status, urologist's decision, lack of resources.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-nine patients were included with a mean age of 72.2 years at the time of NMIBC diagnosis. The low-risk patients were strictly treated according to the guidelines. Among the intermediate-risk patients, 14% received mitomycin C. Among the high-risk patients, 39% received intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. In the nonadherence cases (61%), the reasons were related to the patient in 44% of cases (poor compliance, 21%; poor patient general health status, 23%), urologist's decision in 54% of cases, and lack of resources in 2% of cases. Thirty-seven percent of the high-risk patients underwent re-resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, adherence to NMIBC guidelines was low in all treatment types (intravesical therapy, re-resection, or cystectomy for very high-risk patients), but this finding was similar to that in previous studies. Reasons were mainly related to the urologist's decision or to the patient condition (poor compliance or poor general health status).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Practice pattern of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in Japan, Korea and Taiwan: A Web-based survey

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the treatment pattern of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients among urologists in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, with emphasis on compliance with important treatment guidelines.

METHODS

A Web-based questionnaire survey was conceived by representative members of each country's urological oncology society and was open from June 2016 to February 2017 to each society's members. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

A total of 2334 urologists were invited and 701 responded to the survey with a response rate of 30.0%. Instruments used during transurethral resection of bladder cancer varied significantly between countries and depended on their availability. The re-transurethral resection rate for pT1 or high-grade disease >50% of the time was significantly higher in Japan than in the other two countries, but the collective rate was just 49%. The frequency of intravesical therapy in intermediate- to high-risk disease was generally consistent across countries. However, the choice of agent between chemotherapy and bacillus Calmette-Guérin was significantly different between countries. Maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guérin was used <10% of the time by 45% of respondents, the most important reasons being fear of side-effects, followed by a lack of efficacy and shortage of drug supply.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences between Japan, Korea and Taiwan in the management of intermediate- to high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The results of this survey can serve as the basis for joint efforts to develop common clinical guidelines.

Review of methods and applications of attenuation coefficient measurements with optical coherence tomography

The optical attenuation coefficient (AC), an important tissue parameter that measures how quickly incident light is attenuated when passing through a medium, has been shown to enable quantitative analysis of tissue properties from optical coherence tomography (OCT) signals. Successful extraction of this parameter would facilitate tissue differentiation and enhance the diagnostic value of OCT. In this review, we discuss the physical and mathematical basis of AC extraction from OCT data, including current approaches used in modeling light scattering in tissue and in AC estimation. We also report on demonstrated clinical applications of the AC, such as for atherosclerotic tissue characterization, malignant lesion detection, and brain injury visualization. With current studies showing AC analysis as a promising technique, further efforts in the development of methods to accurately extract the AC and to explore its potential use for more extensive clinical applications are desired.

Pattern of management of urologic cancer in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

To compare the current uro-oncologic practice pattern in Saudi Arabia with the standard of care practice and to identify obstacles in our health care system that prevent offering such a treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We surveyed 247 practicing urologists in Saudi Arabia using a designed questionnaire. This questionnaire contains 19 questions focusing on management of bladder and renal cancers.

RESULTS

Of the 247 contacted urologists, 86 completed the questionnaire. Seventy six percent see more than 10 bladder cancer cases/year and 83% used rigid cystoscope for diagnosis under general anesthesia. Eighty two percent perform over 10 bladder tumor resections/year; however, 90% of them perform less than five cystectomies/year, if any. Seventy nine percent had intravesical therapy available at their hospitals and majority of them use it after resection in selected patients. Fifty percent preferred re-resection within 2-4 weeks for T1 and/or G3 tumors and majority of them (86%) perform cystectomy for muscle invasive disease and ninety six percent perform ileal conduit. Thirty four percent see over 10 renal cancers/year. Forty nine percent perform radical nephrectomy for less than 4 cm renal masses and for more than 4 cm, only 9% do laparoscopic nephrectomy while the majority preferred open technique although 77% of the hospitals participated in this survey have a urologist capable of doing laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

A significant number of urologists in Saudi Arabia do not apply some of the well-accepted standard practices in urologic cancer. To improve this, we need to work on our referral system and establish education and training programs to make the urologist familiar with the new modalities of treatment.

Quantitative measurement of attenuation coefficients of bladder biopsies using optical coherence tomography for grading urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Real-time grading of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) is clinically important, but the current standard for grading (histopathology) cannot provide this information. Based on optical coherence tomography (OCT)-measured optical attenuation (μ(t)), the grade of bladder UC could potentially be assessed in real time. We evaluate ex vivo whether μ(t) differs between different grades of UC and benign bladder tissue. Human bladder tissue specimens are examined ex vivo by 850-nm OCT using dynamic focusing. Three observers independently determine the μ(t) from the OCT images, and three pathologists independently review the corresponding histology slides. For both methods, a consensus diagnosis is made. We include 76 OCT scans from 54 bladder samples obtained in 20 procedures on 18 patients. The median (interquartile range) μ(t) of benign tissue is 5.75 mm(-1) (4.77 to 6.14) versus 5.52 mm(-1) (3.47 to 5.90), 4.85 mm(-1) (4.25 to 6.50), and 5.62 mm(-1) (5.01 to 6.29) for grade 1, 2, and 3 UC, respectively (p = 0.732). Interobserver agreement of histopathology is "substantial" [Kappa 0.62, 95% confidence interval (IC) 0.54 to 0.70] compared to "almost perfect" [interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.92] for OCT. Quantitative OCT analysis (by μ(t)) does not detect morphological UC changes. This may be due to factors typical for an ex-vivo experimental setting.

Sexual function of patients under surveillance for bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and evaluate risk factors in patients just diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMI UC), who have the prospect of an intensive surveillance scheme by cysto-urethroscopy to detect tumour recurrences. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey on 150 patients just diagnosed with primary or recurrent NMI UC. Patients were participating in a randomized clinical multicentre trial (CEFuB), comparing two surveillance schemes. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires at study entry 3 months before the start of the study-surveillance scheme (demographic characteristics, a validated visual analogue scale, and validated subset of questions on sexual function and performance derived from QLQ-BLS-24). The results were compared with those from an age-and gender-matched healthy population. RESULTS The response rate was 95% (142/150); 61% (87/142) of the respondents were sexually active in the previous 4 weeks after diagnosis, 66% (70/105) of men and 46% (17/37) of women. Although libido was not negatively affected, 54% (47/87) of the patients had a sexual dysfunction, and 23% (17/73) were afraid to inflict harm on their partner by sexual contact. Sexually active patients perceived a higher state of general health (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with NMI UC is very high (54%) compared with an age- and gender-matched healthy population (20-45%). No predictors for sexual dysfunction were found. These patients and partners would benefit from proper sexual information in the outpatient clinic.

Long-Term Intravesical Adjuvant Chemotherapy Further Reduces Recurrence Rate Compared with Short-Term Intravesical Chemotherapy and Short-Term Therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in Patients with Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

We present a randomised, parallel group, multicentre phase 4 trial comparing short- and long-term chemoprophylaxis with Mitomycin C (MMC) with short-term immunoprophylaxis with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) after transurethral resection of the bladder for non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma.

METHODS

Four hundred ninety-five patients with intermediate- to high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (recurrent and/or multifocal pTaG1, TaG2-3, and T1G1-3) were randomised to BCG RIVM 2 x 10(8) CFU weekly for 6 wk, MMC 20 mg weekly for 6 wk, or MMC 20 mg weekly for 6 wk followed by monthly instillations for 3 yr.

RESULTS

The 3-yr recurrence-free rates were 65.5% (95%CI, 55.9-73.5%) for short-term BCG, and 68.6% (59.9-75.7%) for short-term MMC, whereas recurrence-free rates were significantly increased to 86.1% (77.9-91.4%) in patients with MMC long-term therapy (log-rank test, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term MMC significantly reduced the risk of tumour recurrence without enhanced toxicity compared with both short-term BCG and MMC in patients with intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma. Our data provide a rationale for maintenance intravesical chemotherapy in this population.

Patients' perceived burden of cystoscopic and urinary surveillance of bladder cancer: a randomized comparison

OBJECTIVE

To compare, in patients with non-muscle-invasive low-grade (pTa/pT1, G1/G2) urothelial cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, the perceived burden of flexible cystoscopy or surveillance by microsatellite analysis (MA) in voided urine, as such patients are normally recommended to adhere to regular cysto-urethroscopic surveillance (CUS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 220 participants of a randomized trial comparing CUS and surveillance by MA were asked to complete questionnaires 1 week after cystoscopy or urine sample collection. We assessed the discomfort and pain reported during CUS, experiences with MA, and physical symptoms, medical consumption and general functioning in the week after CUS/urine sampling.

RESULTS

We analysed data from 732 questionnaires (197 patients) completed after CUS and 184 (67 patients) after collecting urine. The introduction of the cystoscope was reported to cause discomfort in 39% and pain in 35% of the responses to the questionnaires; the waiting time for the results of MA was reported as burdensome in 19%. Painful micturition was significantly more frequent in the week after CUS than after MA (30% and 12%, respectively). The frequency of fever (1% and 2%) and haematuria (7% and 6%) was similar in both groups. Older patients reported significantly less pain and discomfort from cystoscopy, and this was not related to having more previous cystoscopies.

CONCLUSION

CUS caused pain and discomfort in about a third of patients. The burden of MA appeared fully attributable to the waiting time for the test result. The present results are a further motivation in the search for less invasive surveillance tests.

A multicentre, randomised prospective trial comparing three intravesical adjuvant therapies for intermediate-risk superficial bladder cancer: low-dose bacillus Calmette-Guerin (27 mg) versus very low-dose bacillus Calmette-Guerin (13.5 mg) versus mitomycin C

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim was to search for lower doses of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) that are effective and have lower toxicity.

METHODS

A low dose of BCG 27 mg was compared with BCG 13.5mg, using mitomycin C (MMC) 30 mg as the third arm of comparison. A total of 430 patients with intermediate-risk superficial bladder cancer were randomised into three groups. Instillations were repeated once a week for 6 wk followed by another six instillations given once every 2 wk during 12 wk.

RESULTS

There was a significantly longer disease-free interval for BCG 27 mg versus MMC 30 mg (p=0.006). There were no statistically significant differences between BCG 27 mg and BCG 13.5mg (p=0.165) or between BCG 13.5mg and MMC 30 mg (p=0.183). Cox proportional hazards regression showed that disease-free interval in the multivariate analysis was significantly better for primary disease and treatment with BCG 27 mg. There were no significant differences among the three groups with regards to time to progression and cancer-specific survival time. Local and systemic toxicity were higher in both BCG treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

One third of the standard dose, BCG 27 mg, seems to be the minimum effective dose as adjuvant treatment for intermediate-risk superficial bladder cancer, being more effective than MMC 30 mg. One sixth of the standard dose, BCG 13.5mg, has the same efficacy as MMC 30 mg but it is more toxic.

Management of BCG Failures in Superficial Bladder Cancer: A Review

OBJECTIVE

Review management of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) failures in superficial bladder cancer.

METHOD

Search of published literature and meeting abstracts.

RESULTS

Patients in whom BCG fails are not a uniform group. Failure cannot be predicted but high-risk patients can be identified. In case of failure and progression the outcome is bad. Conservative but investigative alternatives are BCG/interferon-alpha, intravesical hyperthermia/chemotherapy, or photodynamic therapy. Standard treatment in failing patients remains cystoprostatectomy.

CONCLUSION

BCG failures need careful and individualized therapy in experienced hands.