Low compliance to guidelines in nonmuscle-invasive bladder carcinoma: A systematic review

Prognostic significance of residual tumor at restaging transurethral bladder resection in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE

To assess prognostic significance of residual tumor at repeat transurethral resection (reTUR) in contemporary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients.

METHODS

Patients were identified retrospectively from eight referral centers in France, Italy and Spain. The cohort included consecutive patients with high or very-high risk NMIBC who underwent reTUR and subsequent adjuvant BCG therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 440 high-risk NMIBC patients were screened, 29 (6%) were upstaged ≥ T2 at reTUR and 411 were analyzed (T1 stage: n = 275, 67%). Residual tumor was found in 191 cases (46%). In patients with T1 tumor on initial TURBT, persistent T1 tumor was found in 18% of reTUR (n = 49/275). In patients with high-grade Ta tumor on initial TURBT, T1 tumor was found in 6% of reTUR (n = 9/136). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found no statistical association between the use of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD, p = 0.4) or type of resection (conventional vs. en bloc, p = 0.6) and the risk of residual tumor. The estimated 5-yr recurrence and progression-free survival were 56% and 94%, respectively. Residual tumor was significantly associated with a higher risk of recurrence (p < 0.001) but not progression (p = 0.11). Only residual T1 tumor was associated with a higher risk of progression (p < 0.001) with an estimated 5-yr progression-free survival rate of 76%.

CONCLUSIONS

ReTUR should remain a standard for T1 tumors, irrespective of the use of en bloc resection or PDD and could be safely omitted in high-grade Ta tumors. Persistent T1 tumor at reTUR should not exclude these patients from conservative management, and further studies are needed to explore the benefit of a third resection in this subgroup.

Use of Bladder-Related Medication in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients

Repeated transurethral bladder resections (TURBs) and instillation treatments in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) might influence bladder function and, therefore, quality of life. Bladder-related medication is a surrogate marker of compromised bladder function. The objective was to investigate whether TURBs and adjuvant instillation therapy are associated with the use of anticholinergics, β3-agonists, and cystitis-relevant antibiotics. We divided all Danish patients diagnosed with primary NMIBC during 2002-2017 registered in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) based on TURB-load within the first five years from diagnosis (1 TURB, 2-4 TURBs, ≥5 TURBs). Instillation therapy with either mitomycin C (MMC) or bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG) was independent exposure (yes or no). We included 17,774 patients; 76% men, median age: 70 years (IQR: 63, 77). Patients exposed to ≥5 TURBs had a higher risk of using bladder-relaxing medication than patients exposed to 1 TURB, HR = 4.01 [3.33; 4.83], and higher risk of cystitis, HR = 2.27 [2.05; 2.51]. BCG-exposed patients had a higher risk of bladder-relaxing medication use compared to non-exposed, HR = 1.92 [1.69; 2.18], and a higher risk of cystitis, HR = 1.39 [1.31; 1.48]. Repeated TURBs have the highest impact on bladder function. Adjuvant instillation therapy is also associated with the use of bladder-related medication.

Treatment Modalities for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: An Updated Review

The landscape of treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is rapidly changing. A complete and careful transurethral resection is the mainstay of initial treatment and is followed by intravesical therapy in intermediate or high-risk cases. The standard of care is intravesical BCG. Many alternative or additive approaches to this are being explored. We divided this review into three relevant spaces to consider these novel treatment approaches: (1) low-risk disease, for which intravesical therapy is not usually considered, (2) BCG-naïve disease (i.e., considering alternatives to the standard therapy), and (3) BCG-unresponsive disease. We performed a review of published literature and summarized ongoing trials in the United States. Novel approaches that we explored include surgical techniques for resection, alterations in dwell time for intravesical therapy, delivery method and schedule of intravesical therapies, new intravesical therapy agents, and systemic therapies (especially immunotherapy). These are thoroughly outlined throughout this review article, and the numerous modalities being studied demonstrate significant promise for the future treatment of the expanding space of NMIBC.

Repeat Transurethral Resection for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis in the Contemporary Era

CONTEXT

Repeat transurethral resection (reTUR) is a guideline-recommended treatment strategy in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT); however, the impact of recent procedural/technological developments on reTUR outcomes has not been assessed yet.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcomes of reTUR for NMIBC in the contemporary era, focusing on whether temporal differences and technical advancement, specifically, photodynamic diagnosis and en bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT), affect the outcomes.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Multiple databases were queried in February 2023 for studies investigating reTUR outcomes, such as residual tumor and/or upstaging rates, its predictive factors, and oncologic outcomes, including recurrence-free (RFS), progression-free (PFS), cancer-specific (CSS), and overall (OS) survival. We synthesized comparative outcomes adjusting for the effect of possible confounders.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Overall, 81 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. In T1 patients initially treated with conventional TURBT (cTURBT) in the 2010s, the pooled rates of any residual tumors and upstaging on reTUR were 31.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.0-37.2%) and 2.8% (95% CI: 2.0-3.8%), respectively. Despite a potential publication bias, these rates were significantly lower than those in patients treated in the 1990-2000s (both p < 0.001). ERBT and visual enhancement-guided cTURBT significantly improved any residual tumor rates on reTUR compared with cTURBT based on both matched-cohort and multivariable analyses. Among studies adjusting for the effect of possible confounders, patients who underwent reTUR had better RFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62-0.97) and OS (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.93) than those who did not, while it did not lead to superior PFS (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.47-1.15) and CSS (HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86-1.03).

CONCLUSIONS

reTUR is currently recommended for high-risk NMIBC based on the persistent high rates of residual tumors after primary resection. Improvement of resection quality based on checklist applications and recent technical/procedural advancements hold the promise to omit reTUR.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Recent endoscopic/procedural developments improve the outcomes of repeat resection for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Further investigations are urgently needed to clarify the potential impact of the use of these techniques on the need for repeat transurethral resection in the contemporary era.

Clinical impact of detrusor muscle in en bloc resection for T1 bladder cancer

PURPOSE

Detrusor muscle (DM) in the resected specimen of patients with pT1 bladder cancer (BCa) is a quality-of-care criteria. We aimed to assess whether obtaining adequate DM is dependent on surgeon's experience, whether is a surrogate for resection quality, and whether the degree of DM thickness is related to postoperative outcomes in en bloc resection for bladder tumors (ERBT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 106 pT1 high-grade BCa patients who underwent ERBT at several institutions. All specimens were reviewed by a single pathologist who assessed the presence or absence of DM and its thickness measured by a micrometer, when present. Early recurrence, defined as pathologically confirmed BCa on repeat resection or tumor recurrence at the first follow-up cystoscopy (within 3 months), was the endpoint reflective of the resection quality.

RESULTS

Of 106 patients, DM was detected in 99 (93%), and the median DM thickness was 1.8 mm. Large tumor size (>30 mm) was associated with adequate DM sampling (>1.8mm) (odds ratio [OR]: 6.10, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 2.08-17.9, P = 0.001), while surgeon's experience was not. DM presence and DM thickness were both not associated with early recurrence, while positive surgical margin was an independent prognosticator for early recurrence (OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.12-10.2, P = 0.031). Excessive DM sampling (>2.1 mm) was associated with prolonged urethral catheterization (OR: 28.8, 95% CI: 3.36-248, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In ERBT, surgeon's experience seems irrelevant to obtain DM. Resection quality relies on surgical margin status, not the degree of DM. Obtaining excessive DM incurs adverse events/unnecessary medical care.

Improving compliance with guidelines may lead to favorable clinical outcomes for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A retrospective multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

Clinical guidelines recommend that patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) should be treated with appropriate adjuvant therapy. However, compliance with guideline recommendations is insufficient, and this may lead to unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to investigate the level of adherence to guideline recommendations in patients with NMIBC and evaluate the outcomes of those who did and did not receive guideline-recommended therapies.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with histologically diagnosed NMIBC. The percentage of patients with intermediate- and high-risk tumors who received adjuvant intravesical therapy or second transurethral resection (TUR) was calculated. Recurrence-free survival was assessed in patients who did and did not receive the therapies. We conducted a propensity score-matched analysis to compare outcomes between patients with intermediate-risk and T1 NMIBC who did and did not undergo guideline-recommended therapies.

RESULTS

Overall, 1204 patients from the Tohoku Urological Evidence-Based Medicine Study Group and Kyoto University Hospital were included. Of patients with intermediate- and high-risk tumors, 91.0% and 74.0% did not receive maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), respectively. In both groups, significantly better recurrence-free survival was found for patients treated with maintenance BCG. Among patients with T1 NMIBC, only 16.7% underwent guideline-recommended therapies, that is, a second TUR and maintenance BCG. Significantly greater recurrence-free survival was observed in patients who received guideline-recommended therapies compared with propensity-matched patients who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Guideline-recommended therapies may contribute to improvements in outcomes for patients with NMIBC, suggesting that improvements in adherence to clinical guidelines may lead to favorable outcomes.

Rates of adherence to cancer treatment guidelines in Australia and the factors associated with adherence: A systematic review

Adherence to cancer treatment clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) varies enormously across Australia, despite being associated with improved patient outcomes. This systematic review aims to characterize adherence rates to active-cancer treatment CPGs in Australia and related factors to inform future implementation strategies. Five databases were systematically searched, abstracts were screened for eligibility, a full-text review and critical appraisal of eligible studies performed, and data extracted. A narrative synthesis of factors associated with adherence was conducted, and the median adherence rates within cancer streams calculated. A total of 21,031 abstracts were identified. After duplicates were removed, abstracts screened, and full texts reviewed, 20 studies focused on adherence to active-cancer treatment CPGs were included. Overall adherence rates ranged from 29% to 100%. Receipt of guideline recommended treatments was higher for patients who were younger (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL], colorectal, lung, and breast cancer); female (breast and lung cancer), and male (DLBCL and colorectal cancer); never smokers (DLBCL and lung cancer); non-Indigenous Australians (cervical and lung cancer); with less advanced stage disease (colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer), without comorbidities (DLBCL, colorectal, and lung cancer); with good-excellent Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (lung cancer); living in moderately accessible places (colon cancer); and; treated in metropolitan facilities (DLBLC, breast and colon cancer). This review characterized active-cancer treatment CPG adherence rates and associated factors in Australia. Future targeted CPG implementation strategies should account for these factors, to redress unwarranted variation particularly in vulnerable populations, and improve patient outcomes (Prospero number: CRD42020222962).

Optimizing outcomes for high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: The evolving role of PD-(L)1 inhibition

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor followed by intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard of care in high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Although many patients respond, recurrence and progression are common. In addition, patients may be unable to receive induction + maintenance due to intolerance or supply issues. Therefore, alternative treatment options are urgently required. Programmed cell death (ligand) 1 (PD-[L]1) inhibitors show clinical benefit in phase 1/2 trials in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC patients. This review presents the status of PD-(L)1 inhibition in high-risk NMIBC and discusses future directions. PubMed and Google scholar were searched for articles relating to NMIBC immunotherapy and ClinicalTrials.gov for planned and ongoing clinical trials. Preclinical and early clinical studies show that BCG upregulates PD-L1 expression in bladder cancer cells and, when combined with a PD-(L)1 inhibitor, a potent antitumor response is activated. Based on this mechanism, several PD-(L)1 inhibitors are in phase 3 trials in BCG-naïve, high-risk NMIBC in combination with BCG. Whereas PD-(L)1 inhibitors are well characterized in patients with advanced malignancies, the impact of immune-related adverse events (irAE) on the benefit/risk ratio in NMIBC should be determined. Alternative routes to intravenous administration, like subcutaneous and intravesical administration, may facilitate adherence and access. The outcomes of combination of PD-(L)1 inhibitors and BCG in NMIBC are highly anticipated. There will be a need to address treatment resources, optimal management of irAEs and education and training related to use of this therapy in clinical practice.

Audit, Feedback, and Education to Improve Quality and Outcomes in Transurethral Resection and Single-Instillation Intravesical Chemotherapy for Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treatment: Protocol for a Multicenter International Observational Study With an Embedded Cluster Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 75% of bladder cancers. It is common and costly. Cost and detriment to patient outcomes and quality of life are driven by high recurrence rates and the need for regular invasive surveillance and repeat treatments. There is evidence that the quality of the initial surgical procedure (transurethral resection of bladder tumor [TURBT]) and administration of postoperative bladder chemotherapy significantly reduce cancer recurrence rates and improve outcomes (cancer progression and mortality). There is surgeon-reported evidence that TURBT practice varies significantly across surgeons and sites. There is limited evidence from clinical trials of intravesical chemotherapy that NMIBC recurrence rate varies significantly between sites and that this cannot be accounted for by differences in patient, tumor, or adjuvant treatment factors, suggesting that how the surgery is performed may be a reason for the variation.

OBJECTIVE

This study primarily aims to determine if feedback on and education about surgical quality indicators can improve performance and secondarily if this can reduce cancer recurrence rates. Planned secondary analyses aim to determine what surgeon, operative, perioperative, institutional, and patient factors are associated with better achievement of TURBT quality indicators and NMIBC recurrence rates.

METHODS

This is an observational, international, multicenter study with an embedded cluster randomized trial of audit, feedback, and education. Sites will be included if they perform TURBT for NMIBC. The study has four phases: (1) site registration and usual practice survey; (2) retrospective audit; (3) randomization to audit, feedback, and education intervention or to no intervention; and (4) prospective audit. Local and national ethical and institutional approvals or exemptions will be obtained at each participating site.

RESULTS

The study has 4 coprimary outcomes, which are 4 evidence-based TURBT quality indicators: a surgical performance factor (detrusor muscle resection); an adjuvant treatment factor (intravesical chemotherapy administration); and 2 documentation factors (resection completeness and tumor features). A key secondary outcome is the early cancer recurrence rate. The intervention is a web-based surgical performance feedback dashboard with educational and practical resources for TURBT quality improvement. It will include anonymous site and surgeon-level peer comparison, a performance summary, and targets. The coprimary outcomes will be analyzed at the site level while recurrence rate will be analyzed at the patient level. The study was funded in October 2020 and began data collection in April 2021. As of January 2023, there were 220 hospitals participating and over 15,000 patient records. Projected data collection end date is June 30, 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

This study aims to use a distributed collaborative model to deliver a site-level web-based performance feedback intervention to improve the quality of endoscopic bladder cancer surgery. The study is funded and projects to complete data collection in June 2023.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.org NCT05154084; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05154084.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/42254.

Intermediate and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: an overview of epidemiology, burden, and unmet needs

Bladder cancer ranks among the most common cancers globally. At diagnosis, 75% of patients have non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Patients with low-risk NMIBC have a good prognosis, but recurrence and progression rates remain high in intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC, despite the decades-long availability of effective treatments for NMIBC such as intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). The present review provides an overview of NMIBC, including its burden and treatment options, and then reviews aspects that counteract the successful treatment of NMIBC, referred to as unmet treatment needs. The scale and reasons for each unmet need are described based on a comprehensive review of the literature, including insufficient adherence to treatment guidelines by physicians because of insufficient knowledge, training, or access to certain therapy options. Low rates of lifestyle changes and treatment completion by patients, due to BCG shortages or toxicities and adverse events as well as their impact on social activities, represent additional areas of potential improvement. Highly heterogeneous evidence for the effectiveness and safety of some treatments limits the comparability of results across studies. As a result, efforts are underway to standardize treatment schedules for BCG, but intravesical chemotherapy schedules remain unstandardized. In addition, risk-scoring models often perform unsatisfactorily due to significant differences between derivation and real-world cohorts. Reporting in clinical trials suffers from a lack of consistent outcomes reporting in bladder cancer clinical trials, paired with an under-representation of racial and ethnic minorities in many trials.

En Bloc Resection Versus Conventional TURBT for T1HG Bladder Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the clinical, oncological, and pathological impact of en bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) compared with conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors (cTURBT) for pT1 high-grade (HG) bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the record of 326 patients (cTURBT: n = 216, ERBT: n = 110) diagnosed with pT1 HG bladder cancer at multiple institutions. The cohorts were matched by one-to-one propensity scores based on patient and tumor demographics. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and perioperative and pathologic outcomes were compared. The prognosticators of RFS and PFS were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

After matching, 202 patients (cTURBT: n = 101, ERBT: n = 101) were retained. There were no differences in perioperative outcomes between the two procedures. The 3-year RFS, PFS, and CSS were not different between the two procedures (p = 0.7, 1, and 0.7, respectively). Among patients who underwent repeat transurethral resection (reTUR), the rate of any residue on reTUR was significantly lower in the ERBT group (cTURBT: 36% versus ERBT: 15%, p = 0.029). Adequate sampling of muscularis propria (83% versus 93%, p = 0.029) and diagnostic rates of pT1a/b substaging (90% versus 100%, p < 0.001) were significantly better in ERBT specimen compared with cTURBT specimen. On multivariable analyses, pT1a/b substaging was a prognosticator of disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with pT1HG bladder cancer, ERBT had similar perioperative and mid-term oncologic outcomes compared with cTURBT. However, ERBT improves the quality of resection and specimen, yielding less residue on reTUR and yielding superior histopathologic information such as substaging.

Do we need repeat transurethral resection after en bloc resection for pathological T1 bladder cancer?

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical significance of repeat transurethral resection (reTUR) and surgical margin status after en bloc resection of bladder tumour (ERBT) for pathological T1 (pT1) bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the record of 106 patients with pT1 high-grade bladder cancer who underwent ERBT between April 2013 and February 2021 at multiple institutions. All specimens were reviewed by a genitourinary pathologist. The primary outcome measures were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between patients with and those without reTUR. We also analysed the predictive value of surgical margin on the likelihood of residual tumour on reTUR.

RESULTS

A reTUR was performed in 50 of the 106 patients. The 2-year RFS and 3-year PFS were comparable between patients who underwent reTUR and those who did not (55.1% vs 59.9%, P = 0.6, 80.6% vs 82.6%, P = 0.6, respectively). No patient was upstaged to pT2 on reTUR. Regarding the surgical margin status, there were no recurrences at the original site in 51 patients with negative horizontal margins. Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that a positive vertical margin was an independent prognostic factor of worse PFS. On reTUR, six pTa/is residues were detected in patients with a positive horizontal margin, and three pT1 residues were detected in one patient with a positive vertical margin or other adverse pathological features.

CONCLUSIONS

A reTUR after ERBT for pT1 bladder cancer appears not to improve either recurrence or progression. Surgical margin status affects prognosis and reTUR outcomes. A reTUR can be omitted after ERBT in patients with pT1 bladder cancer and negative margins; for those with positive horizontal or vertical margins, reTUR should remain the standard until proven otherwise.

DaBlaCa-13 Study: Oncological Outcome of Short-Term, Intensive Chemoresection With Mitomycin in Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Primary Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess long-term follow-up after chemoresection with mitomycin (MMC), a nonsurgical treatment modality for recurrent nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). At the time of recurrence, chemoresection has previously been shown to reduce the number of patients requiring a procedure (transurethral resection of bladder tumors [TURBT] or office biopsy) by more than 50%. This study investigated the number of patients requiring a procedure during initial treatment and 2-year follow-up in patients treated with short-term, intensive chemoresection with MMC compared with patients undergoing standard surgical treatment of recurrent NMIBC.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in two urological departments in Denmark from January 2018 to August 2021. In total, 120 patients with a history of Ta low- or high-grade NMIBC were included upon recurrence. The intervention group received intravesical MMC (40 mg/40 mL) three times a week for 2 weeks and TURBT or office biopsy only if the response was incomplete. The control group received TURBT or office biopsy and 6 weekly adjuvant instillations. The primary outcome was the number of patients undergoing a procedure within 2 years from inclusion, which was compared between groups using the chi-squared test. Recurrence-free survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Significantly fewer patients were in need of a procedure in the intervention group than in the control group: 71% (95% CI, 57 to 81) and 100% (95% CI, 94 to 100), P < .001. The 12-month recurrence-free survival was 36% (95% CI, 24 to 50) and 43% (95% CI, 30 to 56) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = .5).

CONCLUSION

Short-term intensive chemoresection is an effective treatment strategy for recurrent NMIBC that leads to a reduced number of required procedures without compromising long-term oncological safety.

Evaluating the cost-utility of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin versus radical cystectomy in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the UK

AIMS

Approximately 75% of bladder cancer (BC) cases present as non-muscle-invasive BC (NMIBC). In patients with high-risk NMIBC, the mainstay treatment is intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), with immediate radical cystectomy (RC) as an alternative treatment option. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cost-utility of BCG versus RC in patients with high-risk NMIBC from the UK healthcare payer perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A six-state Markov model was developed that covered controlled disease, recurrence, progression to muscle-invasive BC, metastatic disease, and death. The model included adverse events of BCG and RC and monitoring and palliative care. Drug costs were obtained from the British National Formulary. Intravesical delivery, RC, and monitoring costs were sourced from the National Tariff Payment System and the literature. Utility data were obtained from the literature. Analyses were run over a 30-year time horizon, with future costs and effects discounted at 3.5% per annum. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The base case analysis comparing BCG with RC showed that BCG would increase life expectancy by 0.88 years versus RC, from 7.74 to 8.62 years. BCG resulted in an increase of 0.76 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) versus RC, from 5.63 to 6.39 QALYs. Patients incurred lower lifetime costs if treated with BCG (£47,753) than with RC (£64,264). Cost savings were mainly driven by the lower cost of BCG versus RC, and palliative care costs. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were robust to assumptions.

LIMITATIONS

The evidence base informing efficacy estimates of BCG is heterogeneous as different BCG administration schedules were reported in the literature, while incidence and cost data on some BCG-associated adverse events were sparse.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravesical BCG led to increased QALYs and reduced costs versus RC for patients with high-risk NMIBC from the UK healthcare payer perspective.

Will repeat resection after initial transurethral en bloc resection benefit patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer? A propensity score matching analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of repeat transurethral resection on restaging, preventing tumor recurrence and progression in high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients who received initial en bloc resection.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

We reviewed retrospectively the clinical records of 330 consecutive patients who received en bloc resection for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Eligible patients with and without repeat transurethral resection were matched 1:1 by propensity score. Important covariates were balanced between the two groups. We compared the recurrence-free survival, progression-free survival, recurrence rate, and progression rate between groups. And the perioperative results regarding residual tumors and the safety of the repeat resection were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Finally, there are 245 patients included in our analysis with a median follow-up duration of 19 months (range 3-50). Detrusor muscle presented in 244 (99.6%) specimens at initial en bloc resection. And among them, 30 (12.2%) patients had undergone a repeat resection and 215 (87.8%) did not. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 30 pairs were further analyzed.No case of upstaging was identified in repeat resection. During the follow-up, recurrence was observed in 5 (16.7%) and 7 (23.3%) patients in reresection group and non-reresection group, respectively. And progression was found only in 1 (3.3%) patient in each group. The 1-year recurrence-free survival estimates were comparable (86.7% vs 83.3%, p = 0.86) between groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that repeat resection after initial transurethral en bloc resection for bladder tumor appears not to improve staging accuracy, recurrence, and progression.

Analysis of sex-based differences to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether differences exist between men and women in response to intravesical BCG treatments. The incidence of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is lower in women but they tend to present with more aggressive and advanced disease. Some prior studies also suggest there are sex-based differences in response to treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder tumors.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we reviewed all consecutive patients who received BCG at the CHU de Québec - Laval University from 2009-2019. Men and women were treated with intravesical BCG therapy following pathologic confirmation of urothelial carcinoma. Outcomes evaluated include recurrence, progression, and treatment tolerability. Recurrence was defined as a pathology confirmed cancer whereas progression was the new development of high-grade (recurrence) pathology or an increase of stage. Tolerability was defined according to the proportion of prescribed BCG received. All clinical details were obtained through review of the medical records, collaborated by pharmacy records for BCG administration. Competing-risk analysis was used to compare outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 613 patients who received BCG at our institution between 2009-2019, 472 (77.0%) were men and 141 (23.0%) were women. The recurrence rate was not different between sexes, with a 5-year recurrence risk of 52% (95% CI: 36.93-65.4) among women compared to 57.5% (CI 95%: 51.9-62.6) among men. The overall non-progression rate at 1,3 and 5 years was 97.3% (95% CI: 95.6%-98.3%), 93.6% (95% CI: 91.2%-95.4%), and 91.7% (95% CI: 88.4%-94.1%), respectively. The completion of ≥5 induction BCG instillations and maintenance BCG use was similar in both genders.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a contemporary NMIBC cohort treated with BCG and find no clear evidence for sex-based differences in response to BCG treatment in regard of progression, recurrence, and tolerability.

Disparities in the prevalence and management of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associations of socioeconomic characteristics with the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

METHODS

We identified adult patients aged 18 to 89 years with Ta, T1, or Tis NMIBC in the NCDB. We then examined the associations of patient and socioeconomic characteristics with the guidelines-based management of high-risk NMIBC using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

163,949 patients were included in the study cohort, including 64% with Ta, 32% with T1, and 4% with Tis disease. Among those diagnosed with bladder cancer, male (OR 1.24, 95%CI 1.21-1.27), uninsured (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.01-1.19 vs. private), and non-White (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.28-1.41 for Black; OR 1.10; 95%CI 1.03-1.18 for Other vs. White) patients were more likely to be diagnosed with high-risk disease, as well as patients from lower education level areas. Among those with high-risk NMIBC, patients who were older, non-White, Hispanic, uninsured or insured with Medicaid were less likely to receive guideline recommended intravesical BCG, while those residing in rural and higher education level areas were more likely to receive BCG. When examining non-guidelines based use of radiotherapy for HGT1 disease, older age (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.04-1.07) and VA/Military insurance (OR 2.73; 95%CI 1.07, 6.98 vs. private) were associated with radiotherapy use.

CONCLUSION

There are strong disparities in the prevalence and management of high-risk NMIBC. These observations highlight important targets for future strategies to reduce such healthcare disparities and provide more equitable bladder cancer treatment to patients.

Improving Guideline Adherence in Urology

CONTEXT

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) distil an evidence base into recommendations. CPG adherence is associated with better patient outcomes. However, preparation and dissemination of CPGs are a costly task involving multiple skilled personnel. Furthermore, dissemination alone does not ensure CPG adherence. Reasons for nonadherence are often complex, but understanding practice variations and reasons for nonadherence is key to improving CPG adherence and harmonising clinically appropriate and cost-effective care.

OBJECTIVE

To overview approaches to improving guideline adherence, to provide urology-specific examples of knowledge-practice gaps, and to highlight potential solutions informed by implementation science.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Three common approaches to implementation science (the Knowledge-To-Action framework, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and the Behaviour Change Wheel), are summarised.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Three implementation problems in urology are illustrated: underuse of single instillation of intravesical chemotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, overuse of androgen deprivation therapy in localised prostate cancer, and guideline-discordant imaging in prostate cancer. Research using implementation science approaches to address these implementation problems is discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Urologists, patients, health care providers, funders, and other key stakeholders must commit to reliably capturing and reporting data on patient outcomes, practice variations, guideline adherence, and the impact of adherence on outcomes. Leverage of implementation science frameworks is a sound next step towards improving guideline adherence and the associated benefits of evidence-based care.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Clinical practice guideline documents are created by expert panels. These documents provide overviews of the evidence for the tests and treatments used in patient care. They also provide recommendations and it is expected that in most circumstances clinicians will follow these recommendations. Sometimes, health care professionals cannot or do not follow these recommendations and it is not always clear why. In this review article we look at some examples of research approaches to addressing this problem of nonadherence and we provide some examples specific to urology.

Impact of sex on outcomes after surgery for non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To assess the prognostic value of sex for non-muscle-invasive/muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (NMIBC/MIBC) treated with radical surgery.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched in November 2021 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. Studies were deemed eligible if they involved the comparison of the overall, cancer-specific, progression, and recurrence-free survival of patients with NMIBC/MIBC. Formal sex-stratified meta-analyses of these outcomes were performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies, which included 32,525 patients with NMIBC, and 63 studies, which included 85,132 patients with MIBC, were eligible for review and meta-analysis. Female sex was associated with worse cancer-specific survival (pooled hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.31) and overall survival (pooled HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05) in patients with MIBC. In contrast, however, sex was not associated with cancer-specific survival (pooled HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.70-1.46), progression-free survival (pooled HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.88-1.24), and recurrence-free survival (pooled HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.98-1.16) in patients with NMIBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex is associated with an increased risk of worse survival outcomes in patients with MIBC but not in those with NMIBC. Given the genetic and social differences between sexes, sex may represent a key factor in the clinical decision-making process.

Treatment and disease management patterns for bacillus Calmette–Guérin unresponsive nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer in North America, Europe and Asia

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Perioperative outcomes of transurethral resection for t1 bladder tumors: quality evaluation based on patient, tumor and surgeon criteria

INTRODUCTION

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a fundamental but challenging step in the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The first- and second-look TURBT are central in the management of T1 tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated with TURBT for T1 urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) of the bladder in one academic institution between 2007 and 2017. Quality of TURBT was evaluated based on the presence/absence of muscle on pathology report, the presence/absence of residual tumor on the second look and the occurrence of complications. Patient-, surgeon- and tumor-related factors were investigated for their association with TURBT quality.

RESULTS

283 patients were included. Second-look resection was performed after a mean delay of 54 days. Muscle was observed in 85.9% of the samples on the first TURBT. On the second-look resection, UCC was observed in 52.3% of the samples. 38 complications were reported after the first TURBT (13.4%). Surgeon's experience was the only factor significantly associated with occurrence of post-operative complications (OR = 0.40; p = 0.04). Location of the tumor at the bottom of the bladder was a risk factor for not finding muscle at pathological analysis (OR = 0.20; p = 0.06). Male gender, multiplicity and tumor located at the bottom of the bladder were significantly associated with residual disease on reTURBT. In multivariate analysis, only male gender (OR = 4.71; p = 0.02) and tumor multiplicity remained significant (OR for unique tumor = 0.36; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

TURBT is a challenging procedure and surgeon's experience is crucial in reducing the rate of post-operative complications. Technical difficulties resulting from patient's gender, tumor location or number of tumors may be as important as oncological factors in deciding whether or not to perform a second-look resection.

Prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Purpose

We assessed the prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) to refine risk stratification of the heterogeneous spectrum of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)

Methods

In this multi-institutional cohort, preoperative blood-based SII was retrospectively assessed in 1117 patients with NMIBC who underwent transurethral resection of bladder (TURB) between 1996 and 2007. The optimal cut-off value of SII was determined as 580 using the best Youden index. Cox regression analyses were performed. The concordance index (C-index) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the discrimination of the predictive models.

Results

Overall, 309 (28%) patients had high SII. On multivariable analyses, high SII was significantly associated with worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.77; P = 0.003) and CSS (HR 2.53; 95% CI 1.42–4.48; P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses, according to the European Association of Urology guidelines, demonstrated the main prognostic impact of high SII, with regards to PFS (HR 3.39; 95%CI 1.57–7.31; P = 0.002) and CSS (HR 4.93; 95% CI 1.70–14.3; P = 0.005), in patients with intermediate-risk group; addition of SII to the standard predictive model improved its discrimination ability both on C-index (6% and 12%, respectively) and DCA. In exploratory intergroup analyses of patients with intermediate-risk, the improved discrimination ability was retained the prediction of PFS and CSS.

Conclusion

Preoperative SII seems to identify NMIBC patients who have a worse disease and prognosis. Such easily available and cheap standard biomarkers may help refine the decision-making process regarding adjuvant treatment in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00345-021-03740-3.

European Association of Urology (EAU) Prognostic Factor Risk Groups for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and WHO 1973 Classification Systems for Grade: An Update from the EAU NMIBC Guidelines Panel

BACKGROUND

The European Association of Urology (EAU) prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are used to provide recommendations for patient treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). They do not, however, take into account the widely used World Health Organization (WHO) 2004/2016 grading classification and are based on patients treated in the 1980s.

OBJECTIVE

To update EAU prognostic factor risk groups using the WHO 1973 and 2004/2016 grading classifications and identify patients with the lowest and highest probabilities of progression.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Individual patient data for primary NMIBC patients were collected from the institutions of the members of the EAU NMIBC guidelines panel.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent TURBT followed by intravesical instillations at the physician's discretion.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to the primary endpoint, the time to progression to muscle-invasive disease or distant metastases. Patients were divided into four risk groups: low-, intermediate-, high-, and a new, very high-risk group. The probabilities of progression were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

A total of 3401 patients treated with TURBT ± intravesical chemotherapy were included. From the multivariable analyses, tumor stage, WHO 1973/2004-2016 grade, concomitant carcinoma in situ, number of tumors, tumor size, and age were used to form four risk groups for which the probability of progression at 5 yr varied from <1% to >40%. Limitations include the retrospective collection of data and the lack of central pathology review.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides updated EAU prognostic factor risk groups that can be used to inform patient treatment and follow-up. Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and 1973 grading classifications, a new, very high-risk group has been identified for which urologists should be prompt to assess and adapt their therapeutic strategy when necessary.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The newly updated European Association of Urology prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer provide an improved basis for recommending a patient's treatment and follow-up schedule.

What influences adherence to guidance for postoperative instillation of intravesical chemotherapy to patients with bladder cancer?

OBJECTIVE

To understand the barriers and facilitators to single instillation of intravesical chemotherapy (SI-IVC) use after resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in Scotland and England using a behavioural theory-informed approach.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional descriptive study of practices at seven hospitals, we investigated care pathways, policies, and interviewed 30 urology staff responsible for SI-IVC. We used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to organise our investigation and conducted deductive thematic analyses, while inductively coding emergent beliefs.

RESULTS

Barriers to SI-IVC were present at different organisational levels and professional roles. In four hospitals, there was a policy to not instil SI-IVC in theatre. Six hospitals' staff reported delays in mitomycin C (MMC) ordering and/or local storage. Lack of training, skills and perceived workload affected motivation. Facilitators included access to modern instilling devices (four hospitals) and incorporating reminders in operation proforma (four hospitals). Performance targets (with audit and feedback) within a national governance framework were present in Scotland but not England. Differences in coordinated leadership, sharing best practices, and disliking being perceived as underperforming, were evident in Scotland.

CONCLUSIONS

High-certainty evidence shows that SI-IVC, such as MMC, after NMIBC resection reduces recurrences. This evidence underpins international guidance. The number of eligible patients receiving SI-IVC is variable indicating suboptimal practice. Improving SI-IVC adherence requires modifications to theatre instilling policies, delivery and storage of MMC, staff training, and documentation. Centralising care, with bladder cancer expert leadership and best practices sharing with performance targets, likely led to improvements in Scotland. National quality improvement, incorporating audit and feedback, with additional implementation strategies targeted to professional role could improve adherence and patient outcomes elsewhere. This process should be controlled to clarify implementation intervention effectiveness.

Intravesical Therapy in Patients with Intermediate-risk Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Disease Recurrence

CONTEXT

Patients with intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) may pose a clinical dilemma without an agreed evidence-based decision tree for personalized treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to summarize available evidence on the oncologic outcomes of intravesical therapy in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched in October 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. Studies were deemed eligible if they reported on oncologic outcomes in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor with and without intravesical chemotherapy or bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Twelve studies were included in a qualitative synthesis (systematic review); three were deemed eligible for a quantitative synthesis (NMA). An NMA of five different regimens was conducted for the association of treatment with the 5-yr recurrence risk. Chemotherapy with maintenance was associated with a lower likelihood of 5-yr recurrence than chemotherapy without maintenance (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% credible interval [CI] 0.26-1.03). Immunotherapy, regardless of whether a full- or reduced-dose regimen, was not associated with a significantly lower likelihood of 5-yr recurrence when compared with chemotherapy without maintenance (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.39-2.11 vs OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.40-2.19). Analysis of the treatment ranking revealed that chemotherapy with maintenance had the lowest 5-yr recurrence risk (P score 0.9666).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis indicates that chemotherapy with a maintenance regimen confers a superior oncologic benefit in terms of 5-yr recurrence risk compared to chemotherapy without maintenance in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC. Regardless of the dose regimen, immunotherapy with BCG does not appear to be superior to chemotherapy in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC in term of disease recurrence. However, owing to the lack of comparative studies, there is an unmet need for well-designed, large-scale trials to validate our findings and generate robust evidence on disease recurrence and progression.

PATIENT SUMMARY

A maintenance schedule of chemotherapy reduces the rate of long-term recurrence of bladder cancer that has not invaded the bladder muscle. Chemotherapy inserted directly into the bladder and immunotherapy without maintenance schedules seem to have limited benefit in preventing cancer recurrence.