Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Detection Following Transrectal and Transperineal Biopsy: Results of the Prostate Biopsy Efficacy and Complications Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

The comparative effectiveness of transrectal and transperineal prostate biopsy in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer is not well understood. We conducted a randomized clinical trial to determine whether transperineal biopsy improves the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of the 840 men randomized, 93% were White, 44% had a previous biopsy, with a median age of 66 years and median PSA density of 0.14. Of these, 384 underwent transrectal and 398 underwent transperineal prostate biopsy. Prebiopsy prostate MRI was performed in 96% of men. Grade Group ≥ 2 prostate cancer was classified as clinically significant. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression to evaluate the effect of biopsy procedures on cancer detection rates.

RESULTS

The detection rates of clinically significant prostate cancer were 47.1% and 43.2% (odds ratio 1.17; 95% CI, 0.88-1.55) for transrectal and transperineal biopsy, respectively. Age, PSA density, clinical stage and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score were associated with the diagnosis of clinically significant cancer, whereas history of previous biopsy, anterior tumors, and biopsy procedure (transrectal or transperineal) were not. Clinically significant cancer detection rates in biopsy-naïve men undergoing MRI-targeted transrectal or transperineal biopsy were 59% and 62%, respectively. The overall cancer detection rates following transrectal and transperineal biopsy were 72.1% and 70.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference noted in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer following transrectal or transperineal prostate biopsy. Urologists may utilize either biopsy procedure that best suits their patients' needs and practice setting.

Prostate Biopsy: Hyperbole and Misrepresentation Versus Scientific Evidence and Equipoise

There are conflicting recommendations from the American Urological Association and the European Association of Urology guidelines regarding transrectal or transperineal prostate biopsy, driven by a lack of high-quality data. In the interest of evidence-based medicine, it is best to avoid passionate overstatement of facts or assign strong recommendations until comparative effectiveness data are available.

Complications Following Transrectal and Transperineal Prostate Biopsy: Results of the ProBE-PC Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

Transrectal prostate biopsy has come under scrutiny due to potential for postbiopsy infections and transperineal prostate biopsy is being offered as the safer alternative. However, there is a lack of randomized comparative studies. Our goal was to directly evaluate infectious and noninfectious complications following the 2 biopsy procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, pragmatic, randomized clinical study in men undergoing prostate biopsy. The participants underwent either transrectal or transperineal prostate biopsy in the office under local anesthesia. The primary outcome was a 30-day composite infectious complication rate, comprising of 1 or more components including fever, genitourinary infection, antibiotic prescriptions, office or emergency visits, hospitalization, or sepsis. Secondary outcomes included 30-day composite noninfectious complications (urinary or hemorrhagic).

RESULTS

Of the 763 randomized participants, 718 underwent either transrectal (351) or transperineal (367) prostate biopsy. A composite infectious complication event occurred in 9 participants (2.6%) in the transrectal and 10 participants (2.7%) in the transperineal group (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.43 to 2.65; P = .99). None of the participants developed sepsis in either group. There were no between-group differences in any of the individual component infectious events. A composite noninfectious complication occurred in 6 (1.7%) and 8 (2.2%) participants in the transrectal and transperineal groups, respectively (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.44 to 3.73; P = .79). No participants required hospitalization or other interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Among men undergoing transperineal or transrectal prostate biopsy, we could not demonstrate any difference in the infectious or noninfectious complications. Both biopsy approaches remain clinically viable and safe.

Correlation of urinary catheterization with histologic grading of eosinophilic cystitis: a single institutional review of 27 cases

Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is an uncommon diagnosis, mimicking urothelial carcinoma. Multiple etiologies including iatrogenic, infectious, and neoplastic have been suggested, effecting both adults and pediatric population. A retrospective clinicopathologic review of patients with EC in our institution between 2003 and 2021 was conducted. Age, gender, presenting symptoms, cystoscopic findings, and history of urinary bladder instrumentation were recorded. Histologically, urothelial and stromal changes were noted, and mucosal eosinophilic infiltration was graded as mild (scattered eosinophils in the lamina propria), moderate (visible small clusters of eosinophils without brisk reactive changes), or severe (dense eosinophilic infiltrate with ulcer formation and/or muscularis propria infiltration). Twenty-seven patients (male to female ratio = 18/9, median age 58 [12-85 years]), of whom two were in the pediatric age group were identified. Leading presenting symptoms were hematuria (9/27, 33%), neurogenic bladder (8/27, 30%), and lower urinary tract symptoms (5/27, 18%). Four of 27 (15%) patients had history of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder. Cystoscopy commonly revealed erythematous mucosa (21/27, 78%) and/or urinary bladder mass (6/27, 22%). Seventeen of 27 (63%) of patients had history of long-term/frequent catheterization. Mild, moderate, and severe eosinophilic infiltrates were seen in 4/27 (15%), 9/27 (33%), and 14/27 (52%) of cases. Proliferative cystitis (19/27, 70%) and granulation tissue (15/27, 56%) were additional common findings. All cases of long-term/frequent instrumentation cases had moderate or severe eosinophilic infiltrate. EC should be in the differential diagnosis; particularly in patients with long term/frequent catheterization.

Implementation and Assessment of No Opioid Prescription Strategy at Discharge After Major Urologic Cancer Surgery

Importance

Postoperative opioid prescriptions are associated with delayed recovery, perioperative complications, opioid use disorder, and diversion of overprescribed opioids, which places the community at risk of opioid misuse or addiction.

Objective

To assess a protocol for eliminating postdischarge opioid prescriptions after major urologic cancer surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study of the no opioid prescriptions at discharge after surgery (NOPIOIDS) protocol was conducted between May 2017 and June 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Patients undergoing open or minimally invasive radical cystectomy, radical or partial nephrectomy, and radical prostatectomy were sorted into the control group (usual opioids), the lead-in group (reduced opioids), and the NOPIOIDS group (no opioid prescriptions).

Interventions

The NOPIOIDS group received a preadmission educational handout, postdischarge instructions for using nonopioid analgesics, and no routine opioid prescriptions. The lead-in group received a postdischarge instruction sheet and reduced opioid prescriptions at prescribers' discretion. The control group received opioid prescriptions at prescribers' discretion.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcome measures included rate and dose of opioid prescriptions at discharge and for 30 days postdischarge. Additional outcome measures included patient-reported pain and satisfaction level, unplanned health care utilization, and postoperative complications.

Results

Of 647 opioid-naive patients (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [10.0] years; 478 [73.9%] male; 586 [90.6%] White), the rate of opioid prescriptions at discharge for the control, the lead-in, and the NOPIOIDS groups was 80.9% (157 of 194), 57.9% (55 of 95), and 2.2% (8 of 358) (Kruskal-Wallis test of medians: P < .001), and the overall median (IQR) tablets prescribed was 14 (10-20), 4 (0-5.3), and 0 (0-0) per patient in the control, lead-in, and NOPIOIDS groups, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis test of medians: P < .001). In the NOPIOIDS group, median and mean opioid dose was 0 tablets for all procedure types, with the exception of kidney procedures (mean [SD], 0.5 [1.7] tablets). Patient-reported pain surveys were received from 358 patients (72.6%) in the NOPIOIDS group, demonstrating low pain scores (mean [SD], 2.5 [0.86]) and high satisfaction scores (mean [SD], 86.6 [3.8]). There was no increase in postoperative complications in the group with no opioid prescriptions.

Conclusions and Relevance

This perioperative protocol, with emphasis on nonopioid alternatives and patient instructions, may be safe and effective in nearly eliminating the need for opioid prescriptions after major abdominopelvic cancer surgery without adversely affecting pain control, complications, or recovery.

The Genomic Response to TGF-β1 Dictates Failed Repair and Progression of Fibrotic Disease in the Obstructed Kidney

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a common and diagnostic hallmark of a spectrum of chronic renal disorders. While the etiology varies as to the causative nature of the underlying pathology, persistent TGF-β1 signaling drives the relentless progression of renal fibrotic disease. TGF-β1 orchestrates the multifaceted program of kidney fibrogenesis involving proximal tubular dysfunction, failed epithelial recovery or re-differentiation, capillary collapse and subsequent interstitial fibrosis eventually leading to chronic and ultimately end-stage disease. An increasing complement of non-canonical elements function as co-factors in TGF-β1 signaling. p53 is a particularly prominent transcriptional co-regulator of several TGF-β1 fibrotic-response genes by complexing with TGF-β1 receptor-activated SMADs. This cooperative p53/TGF-β1 genomic cluster includes genes involved in cellular proliferative control, survival, apoptosis, senescence, and ECM remodeling. While the molecular basis for this co-dependency remains to be determined, a subset of TGF-β1-regulated genes possess both p53- and SMAD-binding motifs. Increases in p53 expression and phosphorylation, moreover, are evident in various forms of renal injury as well as kidney allograft rejection. Targeted reduction of p53 levels by pharmacologic and genetic approaches attenuates expression of the involved genes and mitigates the fibrotic response confirming a key role for p53 in renal disorders. This review focuses on mechanisms underlying TGF-β1-induced renal fibrosis largely in the context of ureteral obstruction, which mimics the pathophysiology of pediatric unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and the role of p53 as a transcriptional regulator within the TGF-β1 repertoire of fibrosis-promoting genes.

Impact of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocols on Opioid Prescriptions at Discharge after Major Urological Cancer Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are designed to limit the use of opioids during inpatient stay to facilitate recovery and early discharge. It is not clear whether the enhanced recovery after surgery related limitations on opioids are associated with opioid prescribing at discharge. We wished to evaluate whether the enhanced recovery after surgery efforts had an impact on opioid prescriptions given after discharge following major urological cancer surgery.

METHODS

We reviewed the opioid prescription data following hospital discharge after major urological cancer surgery from 2016 to 2018, including cystectomy, renal surgery (total, partial) and prostatectomy. Patient calls and refill requests were recorded for 30 days after discharge. Multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of various factors on normalized opioid tablets given at discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 409 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 207 before and 202 after ERAS protocols. Following enhanced recovery after surgery, potent opioid (oxycodone, hydrocodone) prescriptions decreased by 53% while tramadol use increased by more than four-fold (p <0.001). Reduction in opioid prescriptions was noted for prostatectomy (30%, p <0.001), cystectomy (27%, p=0.02) and all renal procedures (32%, p <0.001) after enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. On multivariable analysis, enhanced recovery after surgery protocol was an independent predictor of reduced opioids given at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocol implementation was associated with a significant decrease in the opioid prescriptions at discharge after all major urological cancer procedures. Prescribing patterns shifted away from more potent opioids. These findings provide a benchmark for further interventions and reduction in the outpatient opioid prescriptions after open and minimally invasive surgery.

KEY WORDS

enhanced recovery after surgery; opioid epidemic; pain management; medication therapy management; analgesics, opioid.

A rare case of urachal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) of the urachus is a rare neoplastic condition characterized by proliferation of spindle cell, likely derived from myofibroblasts or fibroblasts, with acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Urachal IMT present with abdominal/pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. These often manifest as abdominal mass involving adjacent structures. We describe a case of young female with urachal IMT that was excised with a wide margin to ensure complete removal of all adjacent affected tissue using robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach. Immunohistochemical evidence of ALK and ALK gene rearrangement were confirmed in this tumor which are diagnostic of IMT.

Management of urologic cancers during the pandemic and potential impact of treatment deferrals on outcomes

The COVID-19 pandemic-related constraints on healthcare access have raised concerns about adverse outcomes from delayed treatment, including the risk of cancer progression and other complications. Further, concerns were raised about a potentially significant backlog of patients in need of cancer care due to the pandemic-related delays in healthcare, further exacerbating any potential adverse outcomes. Delayed access to surgery is particularly relevant to urologic oncology since one-third of new cancers in men (20% overall) arise from the genitourinary (GU) tract and surgery is often the primary treatment. Herein, we summarize the prepandemic literature on deferred surgery for GU cancers and risk of disease progression. The aforementioned data on delayed surgery were gathered in the context of systemic delays present in certain healthcare systems, or occasionally, due to planned deferral in suboptimal surgical candidates. These data provide indirect, but sufficient insight to develop triage schemas for prioritization of uro-oncological cases. Herein, we outline the extent to which the pandemic-related triage guidelines had influenced urologic practice in various regions. To study the adverse outcomes in the pandemic-era, a survey of urologic oncologists was conducted regarding modifications in their initial management of urologic cancers and any delay-related adverse outcomes. While the adverse effects directly from COVID-19 related delays will become apparent in the coming years, the results showing short-term outcomes are quite instructive. Since cancer care was assigned a higher priority at most centers, this strategy may have avoided significant delays in care and limited the anticipated negative impact of pandemic-related constraints.

Genitourinary cancer management during a severe pandemic: Utility of rapid communication tools and evidence-based guidelines

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of social media for rapid communication with experts to discuss strategies for prioritization and safety of deferred treatment for urologic malignancies during COVID‐19 pandemic, and to determine whether the discourse and recommendations made through discussions on social media (Twitter) were consistent with the current peer‐reviewed literature regarding the safety of delayed treatment. Methods: We reviewed and compiled the responses to our questions on Twitter regarding the management and safety of deferred treatment in the setting of COVID‐19 related constraints on non‐urgent care. We chronicled the guidance published on this subject by various health authorities and professional organizations. Further, we analyzed peerreviewed literature on the safety of deferred treatment (surgery or systemic therapy) to make made evidence‐based recommendations. Results: Due to the rapidly changing information about epidemiology and infectious characteristics of COVID‐19, the health authorities and professional societies guidance required frequent revisions which by design take days or weeks to produce. Several active discussions on Twitter provided real‐time updates on the changing landscape of the restrictions being placed on non‐urgent care. For separate discussion threads on prostate cancer and bladder cancer, dozens of specialists with expertise in treating urologic cancers could be engaged in providing their expert opinions as well as share evidence to support their recommendations. Our analysis of published studies addressing the safety and extent to which delayed cancer care does not compromise oncological outcome revealed that most prostate cancer care and certain aspects of the bladder and kidney cancer care can be safely deferred for 2‐6 months. Urothelial bladder cancer and advanced kidney cancer require a higher priority for timely surgical care. We did not find evidence to support the idea of using nonsurgical therapies, such as hormone therapy for prostate cancer or chemotherapy for bladder cancer for safer deferment of previously planned surgery. We noted that the comments and recommendations made by the participants in the Twitter discussions were generally consistent with our evidence‐based recommendations for safely postponing cancer care for certain types of urologic cancers. Conclusion: The use of social media platforms, such as Twitter, where the comments and recommendations are subject to review and critique by other specialists is not only feasible but quite useful in addressing the situations requiring urgent resolution, often supported by published evidence. In circumstances such as natural disasters, this may be a preferable approach than the traditional expert panels due to its ability to harness the collective intellect to available experts to provide responses and solutions in real‐time. These real‐time communications via Twitter provided sound guidance which was readily available to the public and participants, and was generally in concordance with the peerreviewed data on safety of deferred treatment.

TGF-β1-p53 cooperativity regulates a profibrotic genomic program in the kidney: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications

Chronic kidney disease affects >15% of the U.S. population and >850 million individuals worldwide. Fibrosis is the common outcome of many chronic renal disorders and, although the etiology varies (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, ischemia, acute injury, and urologic obstructive disorders), persistently elevated renal TGF-β1 levels result in the relentless progression of fibrotic disease. TGF-β1 orchestrates the multifaceted program of renal fibrogenesis involving proximal tubular dysfunction, failed epithelial recovery and redifferentiation, and subsequent tubulointerstitial fibrosis, eventually leading to chronic renal disease. Recent findings implicate p53 as a cofactor in the TGF-β1-induced signaling pathway and a transcriptional coregulator of several TGF-β1 profibrotic response genes by complexing with receptor-activated SMADs, which are homologous to the small worms (SMA) and Drosophilia mothers against decapentaplegic (MAD) gene families. The cooperative p53-TGF-β1 genomic cluster includes genes involved in cell growth control and extracellular matrix remodeling [e.g., plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1; serine protease inhibitor, clade E, member 1), connective tissue growth factor, and collagen I]. Although the molecular basis for this codependency is unclear, many TGF-β1-responsive genes possess p53 binding motifs. p53 up-regulation and increased p53 phosphorylation; moreover, they are evident in nephrotoxin- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury, diabetic nephropathy, ureteral obstructive disease, and kidney allograft rejection. Pharmacologic and genetic approaches that target p53 attenuate expression of the involved genes and mitigate the fibrotic response, confirming a key role for p53 in renal disorders. This review focuses on mechanisms whereby p53 functions as a transcriptional regulator within the TGF-β1 cluster with an emphasis on the potent fibrosis-promoting PAI-1 gene.-Higgins, C. E., Tang, J., Mian, B. M., Higgins, S. P., Gifford, C. C., Conti, D. J., Meldrum, K. K., Samarakoon, R., Higgins, P. J. TGF-β1-p53 cooperativity regulates a profibrotic genomic program in the kidney: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.

Current and emerging trends in prostate cancer immunotherapy

There have been a number of recent developments in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer which seek to exploit the hormonal axis. Still, the castration-resistant prostate cancer remains a major challenge since this is the lethal and incurable phenotype which results in tens of thousands of deaths every year. There has been emerging interest in utilizing anticancer immunotherapy in prostate cancer, especially since the development of sipuleucel-T. Several other prostate cancer therapeutic vaccines including autologous and allogeneic vaccines, as well as viral vector-based vaccines, have demonstrated promising results in early trials. The checkpoint inhibitors which have shown some dramatic results in other cancers are now being studied in advanced prostate cancer setting. Studies are examining the therapeutic effects for both CTLA-4 inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. It appears that definitions and measurements of response used in cytotoxic therapies may not be valid in determining response to immunotherapy. Early reports suggest that combination therapies, either concurrent or sequential, may be needed to achieve the desired response against advanced prostate cancer.

Preoperative PDE5i use is a prognostic metric for poor postoperative erectile function in men undergoing radical prostatectomy: An addition to patient counseling

Objective:

In patients scheduled for radical prostatectomies (RP), preoperative (pre-op) erectile function (EF) characterization may be complicated by social and medical factors. We investigated pre-op use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) as a simple metric for predicting long-term postoperative EF.

Materials and methods:

Electronic medical records (EMRs) for consecutive men who underwent RP between January 2004 and March 2009 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted included demographics, pre-op PDE5i use, cancer treatment details, post-op EF and ED treatment. Predictor variable data were categorical pre-op PDE5i use (pre-op PDE5i use vs. pre-op PDE5i naïve). ANOVA and Chi squared test were used.

Results:

A total of 250 individuals out of 436 charts met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up length was 4.2 years (range 2–7). Thirty-seven men (15%) used PDE5i preoperatively. There were no differences in mean age at RP, type of nerve-sparing surgery (NSS), or medical comorbidities between groups. No men with pre-op PDE5i use regained unassisted EF but 37% regained PDE5i-assisted EF after bilateral nerve sparing (BNS). No men with pre-op PDE5i use regained unassisted or PDE5i-assisted EF after unilateral (UNS) or non-nerve-sparing surgery (NNS).

Conclusions:

Pre-op PDE5i use predicts poor long-term EF outcomes after RP and should be included in pre-op patient counseling.

Risk calculators and updated tools to select and plan a repeat biopsy for prostate cancer detection

Millions of men each year are faced with a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) but the prostate biopsy fails to detect the disease. For the urologists, how to select the appropriate candidate for repeat biopsy is a significant clinical dilemma. Traditional risk-stratification tools in this setting such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) related markers and histopathology findings have met with limited correlation with cancer diagnosis or with significant disease. Thus, an individualized approach using predictive models such as an online risk calculator (RC) or updated biomarkers is more suitable in counseling men about their risk of harboring clinically significant prostate cancer. This review will focus on the available risk-stratification tools in the population of men with prior negative biopsies and persistent suspicion of PCa. The underlying methodology and platforms of the available tools are reviewed to better understand the development and validation of these models. The index patient is then assessed with different RCs to determine the range of heterogeneity among various RCs. This should allow the urologists to better incorporate these various risk-stratification tools into their clinical practice and improve patient counseling.

Effects of androgen receptor and androgen on gene expression in prostate stromal fibroblasts and paracrine signaling to prostate cancer cells

The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in a subset of prostate stromal cells and functional stromal cell AR is required for normal prostate developmental and influences the growth of prostate tumors. Although we are broadly aware of the specifics of the genomic actions of AR in prostate cancer cells, relatively little is known regarding the gene targets of functional AR in prostate stromal cells. Here, we describe a novel human prostate stromal cell model that enabled us to study the effects of AR on gene expression in these cells. The model involves a genetically manipulated variant of immortalized human WPMY-1 prostate stromal cells that overexpresses wildtype AR (WPMY-AR) at a level comparable to LNCaP cells and is responsive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stimulation. Use of WPMY-AR cells for gene expression profiling showed that the presence of AR, even in the absence of DHT, significantly altered the gene expression pattern of the cells compared to control (WPMY-Vec) cells. Treatment of WPMY-AR cells, but not WPMY-Vec control cells, with DHT resulted in further changes that affected the expression of 141 genes by 2-fold or greater compared to vehicle treated WPMY-AR cells. Remarkably, DHT significantly downregulated more genes than were upregulated but many of these changes reversed the initial effects of AR overexpression alone on individual genes. The genes most highly effected by DHT treatment were categorized based upon their role in cancer pathways or in cell signaling pathways (transforming growth factor-β, Wnt, Hedgehog and MAP Kinase) thought to be involved in stromal-epithelial crosstalk during prostate or prostate cancer development. DHT treatment of WPMY-AR cells was also sufficient to alter their paracrine potential for prostate cancer cells as conditioned medium from DHT-treated WPMY-AR significantly increased growth of LNCaP cells compared to DHT-treated WPMY-Vec cell conditioned medium.

High risk prostate cancer: evolving definition and approach to management

Advances in the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer have progressed far beyond our ability to identify patients with high risk prostate cancer. In general, designation of high risk prostate cancer implies the presence of disease that is likely become progressive or lethal if not managed aggressively. Without proper risk stratification, there is a significant likelihood of both overtreatments of men with low risk disease and undertreatment for men with high risk cancer. The major issues surrounding the clinical management of high risk prostate cancer revolve around the definition of high risk disease as well as the benefits of multiple modality therapy. Over the years, numerous attempts have been made to develop risk assessment tools such as risk categories, scoring systems and nomograms, but a widely accepted definition is yet to be determined. The benefits of routine clinical utility of these risk assessment tools remain somewhat difficult to ascertain. We will discuss several multimodality therapeutic approaches, especially in combination with androgen ablation, to improve the outlook for men with high risk or locally advanced prostate cancer. This review focuses on the potential limitations of the risk assessment tools available to the clinicians and the approach to management of high risk prostate cancer.

Use of anticholinergic therapy in men

Lower urinary tract symptoms in men usually include symptoms of bladder overactivity such as urinary frequency, urgency or nocturia. These are often the initial presenting symptoms for men seeking medical attention for urinary dysfunction. The prevalence of overactive bladder in men is similar to women and increases with advancing age. While women with these symptoms are treated primarily with anticholinergic therapy, there is reluctance to use these agents in men due to concerns regarding worsening obstructive symptoms or urinary retention exacerbated by a large prostate. For men, alpha blocker monotherapy remains the primary therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms despite the fact that a larger fraction of men continue to experience symptoms of overactive bladder. There is emerging body of evidence that the use of anticholinergic agents may be safe and effective in men. We will discuss the rationale for the use of anticholinergic therapy in men with bladder overactivity, either alone, or in combination with alpha blockers. We will review the current literature on the topic and discuss potential future directions in the management of overactive bladder in men.

Manganese superoxide dismutase enhances the invasive and migratory activity of tumor cells

Clinically significant elevations in the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (Sod2) are associated with an increased frequency of tumor invasion and metastasis in certain cancers. The aim of this study was to examine whether increases in Sod2 activity modulate the migratory potential of tumor cells, contributing to their enhanced metastatic behavior. Overexpression of Sod2 in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells significantly enhanced their migration 2-fold in a wound healing assay and their invasive potential 3-fold in a transwell invasion assay. Severity of invasion was directly correlated to Sod2 expression levels and this invasive phenotype was similarly observed in 253J bladder tumor cells, in which Sod expression resulted in a 3-fold increase in invasion compared with controls. Further, migration and invasion of the Sod2-expressing cells was inhibited following overexpression of catalase, indicating that the promigratory/invasive phenotype of Sod2-expressing cells is H(2)O(2) dependent. Sod2 overexpression was associated with a loss of vinculin-positive focal adhesions that were recovered in cells coexpressing catalase. Tail vein injections of Sod2-GFP-expressing HT-1080 cells in NCR nude mice led to the development of pulmonary metastatic nodules displaying high Sod2-GFP expression. Isolated tumors were shown to retain high Sod2 activity in culture and elevated levels of the matrix degrading protein matrix metalloproteinase-1, and a promigratory phenotype was observed in a population of cells growing out from the tumor nodule. These findings suggest that the association between increased Sod2 activity and poor prognosis in cancer can be attributed to alterations in their migratory and invasive capacity.

Role of prostate biopsy schemes in accurate prediction of Gleason scores

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether improved prostate sampling by the extended biopsy scheme also improves the accuracy of the biopsy Gleason score (bGS). Because most prostate cancer cases are now detected at an early stage with a low prostate-specific antigen level, the bGS may be the most important factor in therapeutic decision-making. Sextant biopsy schemes had poor correlation with prostatectomy Gleason scores. Extended prostate biopsies have replaced the sextant scheme because of the former's greater cancer detection rate.

METHODS

We identified 426 patients whose biopsy and prostatectomy specimens were reviewed at our center. To minimize the effect of stage migration, all patients before 1997 were excluded. Of the 426 included patients, 221 men had undergone sextant biopsy and 205 men extended biopsy before prostatectomy. The rate of grading concordance and the effect of different variables on the concordance rate was determined.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy of the extended and sextant schemes was 68% and 48% (P <0.001), respectively. Upgrading of the bGS was significantly less likely with the extended scheme (17% versus 41%, P <0.001). The sextant biopsy was more likely to be upgraded for a bGS of 6 or less (44% versus 25%, P <0.002) and a bGS of 7 (14% versus 3%, P <0.02). On multivariate analysis, the biopsy scheme was the only independent predictor of accurate Gleason scoring (P <0.001) and age, prostate-specific antigen level, digital rectal examination findings, prostate size, clinical stage, and number of positive cores were not.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of an extended prostate biopsy scheme significantly improves the correlation between the bGS and prostatectomy Gleason score and reduces the risk of upgrading to a worse Gleason group at prostatectomy.

PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH GRADE PROSTATIC INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AND ATYPICAL SMALL ACINAR PROLIFERATION IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA

PURPOSE

High grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) in the sextant biopsy had been associated with a high risk of prostate cancer. We determined whether the extended biopsy schemes used in the contemporary era have altered the prognostic value of these lesions at repeat biopsies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1998 to 2003, 105 of 1,188 men had at least 1 repeat extended biopsy due to the presence of HGPIN (33 men) or ASAP (72 men) in a previous extended biopsy. Median biopsy interval for HGPIN and ASAP was 15 and 10 weeks (p <0.05), respectively. Differences in cancer detection rates were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test.

RESULTS

In the HGPIN group only 1 of 22 (4.5%) men had cancer on 1st repeat biopsy and 0 of 11 men had cancer on 2nd repeat biopsy. In men with ASAP 19 of 53 (36%, p <0.005) had cancer on 1st repeat biopsy, and 3 of 19 (16%) had cancer on 2nd repeat biopsy. Cancer was confined to a single core in 16 of 22 (73%) men. Median Gleason score was 6. Patient age, digital rectal examination status, prostate specific antigen, free prostate specific antigen, number of cores and biopsy interval were not independent predictors of cancer in men with ASAP.

CONCLUSIONS

HGPIN found in the contemporary extended biopsy does not warrant repeat biopsy. ASAP continues to be associated with a high risk of cancer and requires at least 1 repeat biopsy using the extended biopsy scheme.

Prostate biopsy strategies: current state of the art

Prostate-specific antigen testing and prostate biopsy have revolutionized our ability to detect prostate cancer at an early stage. The transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy procedure has undergone a number of modifications over the past 10 years to meet our goal of early detection of cancer at a curable stage. Biopsy schemes have evolved from lesion-directed biopsies to systematic mapping of the peripheral zone of the prostate, which harbors almost all of the significant tumor foci. An increase in the number of biopsy cores from 6 to 10 (or 12) has resulted in a significant improvement in the detection of clinically localized cancer, without any appreciable increase in the number of indolent cancers. Current biopsy schemes also have enhanced our ability to determine the true prognostic value of pathologic lesions such as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and atypical small acinar proliferation which have been associated with cancer detection in repeat biopsies. I discuss the rationale behind, and the outcomes of, various biopsy strategies. More than 15 years after PSA testing was popularized for early detection, a number of men are presenting for evaluation regarding repeat prostate biopsy for various clinical indications. The indications, biopsy scheme, and cancer detection rates for repeat prostate biopsy are discussed in detail.

Fully human anti-interleukin 8 antibody inhibits tumor growth in orthotopic bladder cancer xenografts via down-regulation of matrix metalloproteases and nuclear factor-kappaB

PURPOSE

We previously demonstrated that overexpression of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) resulted in increased tumorigenicity and metastasis. This increase in tumor growth and metastasis can be attributed to the up-regulation in the expression and activity of the metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

To investigate whether targeting IL-8 with a fully human anti-IL-8 antibody (ABX-IL8) could be a potential therapeutic strategy for controlling TCC growth, we studied its effects on TCC growth in vitro and in an in vivo mouse model. Human TCC cell lines 253J B-V and UM UC3 (high IL-8 producers), 253J (low IL-8), and 253J transfected with the IL-8 gene (high producer) were used.

RESULTS

ABX-IL8 had no effect on TCC cell proliferation in vitro. However, in the orthotopic nude mouse model, after 4 weeks of treatment (100 micro g/week, i.p.), a significant decrease in tumor growth of both cell lines was observed. IL-8 blockade by ABX-IL8 significantly inhibited the expression, activity, and transcription of MMP-2 and MMP-9, resulting in decreased invasion through reconstituted basement membrane in vitro. The down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in these cells could be explained by the modulation of nuclear factor-kappaB expression and transcriptional activity by ABX-IL8.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data point to the potential use of ABX-IL8 as a modality to treat bladder cancer and other solid tumors, either alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy or other antitumor agents.

Predictors of cancer in repeat extended multisite prostate biopsy in men with previous negative extended multisite biopsy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the factors influencing the cancer detection rate in men whose initial and repeat biopsies were both performed using an extended multisite biopsy scheme. Sextant biopsy of the prostate is associated with a significant false-negative rate, as evident from the high cancer detection rate after repeat prostate biopsy. Extended multisite biopsy schemes have therefore been recommended to maximize cancer detection.

METHODS

Between June 1997 and August 2001, 939 men underwent prostate biopsy for early detection of prostate cancer using the extended multisite scheme (10 or 11 cores incorporating the anterior horn of the peripheral zone with or without midline peripheral zone and/or the transition zone). Of these 939 men, 89 (9.5%) underwent a repeat extended multisite prostate biopsy. The median prostate-specific antigen level was 6.9 ng/mL (range 0.7-36.1). Twenty-four men (27%) had an abnormal digital rectal examination at presentation. Most men (86%) in the group undergoing repeat biopsy had two or more risk factors for a positive biopsy. The median interval between biopsies was 4 months.

RESULTS

Of the 89 men, 15 (17%) had prostate cancer in the repeat biopsy specimen. Seven cancers (47%) were found only in the alternate biopsy sites, 5 (33%) cancers were found only in the sextant sites, and 3 in both sextant and alternate sites. Cancer was present in only one biopsy core in 11 (73%) of the 15 men, and the median Gleason score was 6 (range 6-8). On multivariate analysis, the presence of atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma (AGSC) was the only independent predictor of cancer in repeat biopsy (P <0.004). Of the 79 men without AGSC in the initial biopsy, 8 (10%) had a positive repeat biopsy. The total and percent free prostate-specific antigen level, digital rectal examination, ultrasound findings, and presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia were not predictive of cancer detection.

CONCLUSIONS

The probability of a positive result for a repeat prostate biopsy is lower after an initial extended multisite biopsy compared with an initial sextant biopsy. The presence of AGSC was the only significant predictor of cancer in the repeat biopsy. Because nearly 50% of cancers detected in the repeat biopsy were in alternate sites only, using a sextant biopsy scheme for repeat biopsy would have missed these cancers.

Outcome of patients with Gleason score 8 or higher prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy alone

PURPOSE

We determine the effect of clinical and pathological variables on the outcome of patients with prostate cancer of Gleason scores 8 or greater treated with radical prostatectomy alone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 1987 and October 1998, 1,199 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. We identified 188 patients assigned a Gleason score of 8 or higher in the prostatectomy specimen who did not receive any neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Median followup was 60 months (range 1 to 129). Disease recurrence was defined as any detectable prostate specific antigen level 0.1 ng./ml. or greater.

RESULTS

Of 188 patients 128 (68%) had no evidence of prostate cancer after a median followup of 60 months, while 60 (32%) demonstrated a detectable PSA level. There were 58 (31%) patients with disease confined to the prostate with negative surgical margins while 108 (57%) had prostate cancer confined to the surgical specimen. Positive surgical margin with extraprostatic extension was seen in 16 (9%) patients and seminal vesicle invasion was present in 40 (21%). The 5 and 7-year disease-free survival rates for the entire cohort were 71% and 55%, respectively. Patients with specimen confined disease had a significantly higher 5-year disease-free survival rate than those with nonspecimen confined disease (84% and 50%, p <0.0001). On multivariate analysis pathological status of the surgical specimen was the most significant independent predictor of disease recurrence. Age, ethnicity, clinical stage and preoperative PSA had no independent effect on disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term disease-free survival can be expected in those patients with high grade prostate cancer whose disease is confined to the prostate and/or the surgical specimen.

Prognostic factors and survival of patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma often has an aggressive clinical course characterized by rapid disease progression. We evaluate prognostic factors for patient survival and the effect of treatment on patient outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1987 and 1998, 108 patients were classified as having sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma at our institution. We reviewed the records of these patients to identify clinical and pathological prognostic variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine differences in overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 96 (89%) patients were symptomatic at presentation. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma was localized to the kidney in 25 (23%) patients, whereas metastasis was present in 83 (77%). The median overall survival of all patients was 9 months. The presence of clinically localized disease was associated with longer overall survival when compared to patients with metastasis (17 versus 7 months, respectively, p <0.004). Of 86 patients who received systemic therapy partial response was seen in 28, and no complete responses were noted. Patients who had a partial response had a median survival of 19 months and those with no response 7 (p <0.005). Those patients with metastatic disease who were treated with nephrectomy followed by systemic therapy survived a median time of 8.5 months, whereas those who received systemic therapy alone 5.3 (p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma have poor overall survival because of the aggressive biological behavior. Survival is longer for patients presenting with clinically localized disease, single metastatic site, and exhibiting a partial response to systemic therapy.