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Pezzicoli G, Ciciriello F, Musci V, Minei S, Biasi A, Ragno A, Cafforio P, Rizzo M. Genomic Profiling and Molecular Characterisation of Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:585. [PMID: 38674231 PMCID: PMC11052409 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The clinical management of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) is undergoing a major paradigm shift; the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) into the mUC therapeutic strategy has succeeded in improving platinum-based chemotherapy outcomes. Given the expanding therapeutic armamentarium, it is crucial to identify efficacy-predictive biomarkers that can guide an individual patient's therapeutic strategy. We reviewed the literature data on mUC genomic alterations of clinical interest, discussing their prognostic and predictive role. In particular, we explored the role of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family, epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, DNA repair genes, and microsatellite instability. Currently, based on the available clinical data, FGFR inhibitors and HER2-directed ADCs are effective therapeutic options for later lines of biomarker-driven mUC. However, emerging genomic data highlight the opportunity for earlier use and/or combination with other drugs of both FGFR inhibitors and HER2-directed ADCs and also reveal additional potential drug targets that could change mUC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Pezzicoli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.C.); (V.M.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Federica Ciciriello
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.C.); (V.M.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Vittoria Musci
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.C.); (V.M.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Silvia Minei
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.C.); (V.M.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Antonello Biasi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.C.); (V.M.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Anna Ragno
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Consorziale, Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Paola Cafforio
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.C.); (V.M.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (P.C.)
| | - Mimma Rizzo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Consorziale, Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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Pezzicoli G, Salonne F, Musci V, Ciciriello F, Tommasi S, Lacalamita R, Zito A, Allegretta SA, Solimando AG, Rizzo M. Concomitant Immunotherapy and Metastasis-Directed Radiotherapy in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Biomarker-Driven, Original, Case-Based Proof-of-Concept Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7761. [PMID: 38137830 PMCID: PMC10744017 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) has a poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated efficacy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. However, data supporting the use of ICIs in patients with mUTUC are limited. A promising synergy between ICI and concomitant radiotherapy (RT) has been reported in patients with mUTUC. Our research involved a case-based investigation and emphasized the successful integration of different specialists' skills. Observed after partial urethrectomy procedures for muscle-invasive upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), the radiological detection of lung metastases prompted us to implement cisplatin-based first-line chemotherapy and molecular characterization in the treatment process. We uncovered alterations in the ERBB2 and FGFR3 genes and mismatch repair deficiency at a molecular level. First-line chemotherapy treatment led to a stable disease, and the patient was started on maintenance immunotherapy with Avelumab. Subsequently, an increase in the size of the lung nodules was described, and the patient received radiotherapy for three lung lesions in combination with immunotherapy. After 3 months, a restaging CT scan reported a complete response, which is still ongoing. We discuss the mechanisms driving RT/ICI synergy and the molecular profile of mUTUC as factors that should be considered in therapeutic strategy planning. Molecular insight enhances the originality of our study, providing a nuanced understanding of the genetic landscape of mUTUC and paving the way for targeted therapeutic strategies. The therapeutic armamentarium expansion encourages the design of a multimodal and personalized approach for each mUTUC patient, taking into account tumor heterogeneity and molecular profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Pezzicoli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.S.); (V.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Francesco Salonne
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.S.); (V.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Vittoria Musci
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.S.); (V.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Ciciriello
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.P.); (F.S.); (V.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (S.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Rosanna Lacalamita
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (S.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Alfredo Zito
- Pathology Department, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | | | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Mimma Rizzo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Consorziale—Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Peng M, Chu X, Peng Y, Li D, Zhang Z, Wang W, Zhou X, Xiao D, Yang X. Targeted therapies in bladder cancer: signaling pathways, applications, and challenges. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e455. [PMID: 38107059 PMCID: PMC10724512 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in men. Understanding molecular characteristics via studying signaling pathways has made tremendous breakthroughs in BC therapies. Thus, targeted therapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) have markedly improved advanced BC outcomes over the last few years. However, the considerable patients still progress after a period of treatment with current therapeutic regimens. Therefore, it is crucial to guide future drug development to improve BC survival, based on the molecular characteristics of BC and clinical outcomes of existing drugs. In this perspective, we summarize the applications and benefits of these targeted drugs and highlight our understanding of mechanisms of low response rates and immune escape of ICIs, ADCs toxicity, and TKI resistance. We also discuss potential solutions to these problems. In addition, we underscore the future drug development of targeting metabolic reprogramming and cancer stem cells (CSCs) with a deep understanding of their signaling pathways features. We expect that finding biomarkers, developing novo drugs and designing clinical trials with precisely selected patients and rationalized drugs will dramatically improve the quality of life and survival of patients with advanced BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Peng
- Department of PharmacyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xuetong Chu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Yan Peng
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Duo Li
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zhirong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Weifan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xiaochen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Di Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan ProvinceThe Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Ministry of EducationDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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Ma YT, Hua F, Zhong XM, Xue YJ, Li J, Nie YC, Zhang XD, Ma JW, Lin CH, Zhang HZ, He W, Sha D, Zhao MQ, Yao ZG. Clinicopathological characteristics, molecular landscape, and biomarker landscape for predicting the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in Chinese population with mismatch repair deficient urothelial carcinoma: a real-world study. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269097. [PMID: 38022513 PMCID: PMC10657814 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Urothelial carcinoma (UC) with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) is a specific subtype of UC characterized by the loss of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins and its association with Lynch syndrome (LS). However, comprehensive real-world data on the incidence, clinicopathological characteristics, molecular landscape, and biomarker landscape for predicting the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the Chinese patients with dMMR UC remains unknown. We analyzed 374 patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) and 232 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) using tissue microarrays, immunohistochemistry, and targeted next-generation sequencing. Results showed the incidence of dMMR UC was higher in the upper urinary tract than in the bladder. Genomic analysis identified frequent mutations in KMT2D and KMT2C genes and LS was confirmed in 53.8% of dMMR UC cases. dMMR UC cases displayed microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) (PCR method) in 91.7% and tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) in 40% of cases. The density of intratumoral CD8+ T cells correlated with better overall survival in dMMR UC patients. Positive PD-L1 expression was found in 20% cases, but some patients positively responded to immunotherapy despite negative PD-L1 expression. Our findings provide valuable insights into the characteristics of dMMR UC in the Chinese population and highlights the relevance of genetic testing and immunotherapy biomarkers for treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Ma
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fang Hua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Xiu-Ming Zhong
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ying-Jie Xue
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yi-Cong Nie
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xue-Dong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Ji-Wei Ma
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Cun-Hu Lin
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hao-Zhuang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dan Sha
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Miao-Qing Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Yao
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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