Combining rVAR2 and Anti-EpCAM to Increase the Capture Efficiency of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines in the Flow Enrichment Target Capture Halbach (FETCH) Magnetic Separation System.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are detected in approximately 30% of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases using the CellSearch system, which relies on EpCAM immunomagnetic enrichment and Cytokeratin detection. This study evaluated the effectiveness of immunomagnetic enrichment targeting oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS) using recombinant VAR2CSA proteins (rVAR2) to improve the recovery of different NSCLC cell lines spiked into lysed blood samples. Four NSCLC cell lines-NCI-H1563, A549, NCI-H1792, and NCI-H661-were used to assess capture efficiency.

Tumor-agnostic cancer therapy using antibodies targeting oncofetal chondroitin sulfate.

Molecular similarities between embryonic and malignant cells can be exploited to target tumors through specific signatures absent in healthy adult tissues. One such embryonic signature tumors express is oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS), which supports disease progression and dissemination in cancer. Here, we report the identification and characterization of phage display-derived antibody fragments recognizing two distinct ofCS epitopes.

[O]HO PET/MRI for Assessment of Complete Response to Neoadjuvant or Induction Chemotherapy in Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Accurate assessment of therapy response to chemotherapy could possibly offer a bladder-sparing approach in selected patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether [O]HO PET/MRI can be used for assessment of complete local pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with MIBC. This prospective pilot study included 13 patients with MIBC treated with neoadjuvant or induction chemotherapy and subsequent radical cystectomy.

CTC-derived pancreatic cancer models serve as research tools and are suitable for precision medicine approaches.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant clinical challenges, often presenting as unresectable with limited biopsy options. Here, we show that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a promising alternative, serving as a "liquid biopsy" that enables the generation of in vitro 3D models and highly aggressive in vivo models for functional and molecular studies in advanced PDAC. Within the retrieved CTC pool (median 65 CTCs/5 mL), we identify a subset (median content 8.

The impact of platelets on the metastatic potential of tumour cells.

In cancer, activation of platelets by tumor cells is critical to disease progression. Development of precise antiplatelet targeting may improve outcomes from anticancer therapy. Alongside a distinct shift in functionality such as pro-metastatic and pro-coagulant properties, platelet production is often accelerated significantly early in carcinogenesis and the cancer-associated thrombocytosis increases the risk of metastasis formation and thromboembolic events.

Combined microfluidic enrichment and staining workflow for single-cell analysis of circulating tumor cells in metastatic prostate cancer patients.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are precursors of cancer in the blood and provide an attractive source for dynamic monitoring of disease progression and tumor heterogeneity. However, the scarcity of CTCs in the bloodstream has limited their use in clinical practice. In this study, we present a workflow for easy detection of CTCs by cytokeratin staining using the FDA-cleared Parsortix device for size-based microfluidic enrichment.

Use of Risk Factors To Select Adjuvant Therapy Versus Surveillance for Testicular Nonseminoma and Seminoma Germ Cell Tumors.

New risk factors associated with relapse of stage I testicular cancer have been identified. These new factors reflect the risk of recurrence much better than previous parameters and can be used to assess the possible effect of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Whole-genome Mutational Analysis for Tumor-informed Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background And Objective: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be used for sensitive detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). However, the probability of detecting ctDNA in settings of low tumor burden is limited by the number of mutations analyzed and the plasma volume available. We used a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approach for ctDNA detection in patients with urothelial carcinoma.

Prognostic factors for relapse in patients with clinical stage I testicular non-seminoma: A nationwide, population-based cohort study.

Background: Approximately 30% of patients with clinical stage I non-seminoma (CSI-NS) relapse. Current risk stratification is based on lymphovascular invasion (LVI) alone. The extent to which additional tumor characteristics can improve risk prediction remains unclear.

DaBlaCa-17: nationwide observational study in Denmark on survival before and after implementation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Objective: To investigate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy implementation with gemcitabine-cisplatin on survival outcomes for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer in Denmark.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected on all patients in Denmark undergoing radical cystectomy who were potential candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 2010 to 2015 (n = 851). A cohort before the implementation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Cohort 2010-12) was compared with a cohort after implementation (Cohort 2013-15).

Postchemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lumpectomy in Patients with Nonseminoma Testicular Cancer: A Nationwide Study.

Background And Objective: Optimal treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic nonseminoma testicular cancer are achieved with chemotherapy and subsequent surgery in cases with residual tumor. In Denmark, postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lumpectomy (RPLP) is performed in patients with residual tumors >1 cm. There is a need to clarify whether this surgical method provides acceptable treatment results.

Treatment patterns, survival, and healthcare utilisation and costs in patients with locally advanced and metastatic bladder cancer in Denmark 2015-2020.

Background: Treatment patterns in locally advanced and metastatic urothelial bladder cancer (La/mUBC) is changing, but little is known about current treatment patterns, survival, and costs of these patients. Our aim was to describe treatment patterns, survival, and healthcare utilisation/costs in Danish La/mUBC patients in a routine clinical care setting.

Methods: Registry-based nationwide cohort study including all bladder cancer patients aged 18 years or older with a La/mUBC tumour in the pathology register and a concomitant bladder cancer diagnosis in the Danish National Patient Registry in the period 2015-2020.

Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma: Insights from Biological Analysis and Extended Clinical Follow-up.

Purpose: To investigate whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assessment in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer predicts treatment response and provides early detection of metastatic disease.

Experimental Design: We present full follow-up results (median follow-up: 68 months) from a previously described cohort of 68 neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)-treated patients who underwent longitudinal ctDNA testing (712 plasma samples). In addition, we performed ctDNA evaluation of 153 plasma samples collected before and after radical cystectomy (RC) in a separate cohort of 102 NAC-naïve patients (median follow-up: 72 months).

Prognostic Factors for Relapse in Patients With Clinical Stage I Testicular Seminoma: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: Approximately 20% of patients with clinical stage I seminoma relapse. Tumor size and rete testis invasion have been identified as risk factors for relapse. However, the level of evidence supporting the use of these risk factors in clinical decision making is low.

Dose comparison of robustly optimized intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) vs IMRT and VMAT photon plans for testicular seminoma.

Background: Patients with stage II seminoma have traditionally been treated with photons to the retroperitoneal and iliac space, which leads to a substantial dose bath to abdominal and pelvic organs at risk (OAR). As these patients are young and with excellent prognosis, reducing dose to OAR and thereby the risk of secondary cancer is of utmost importance. We compared IMPT to opposing IMRT fields and VMAT, assessing dose to OAR and both overall and organ-specific secondary cancer risk.

Treatment of muscle-invasive urothelial cancer with nivolumab (CheckMate 274 study): a plain language summary.

What Is This Summary About?: This is a summary of a paper published in a medical journal that describes the results of a study called CheckMate 274. This study looked at a new treatment for muscle-invasive urothelial cancer, a type of cancer found in the urinary tract that has spread from the inner lining of the urinary tract or bladder and into the surrounding muscle wall where it can then spread to other parts of the body. The standard treatment for muscle-invasive urothelial cancer is surgery to remove affected parts of the urinary tract.

Cell-Free Urine and Plasma DNA Mutational Analysis Predicts Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response and Outcome in Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the use of plasma and urine DNA mutation analysis for predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) response and oncological outcome in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Experimental Design: Whole-exome sequencing of tumor and germline DNA was performed for 92 patients treated with NAC followed by radical cystectomy (RC). A custom NGS-panel capturing approximately 50 mutations per patient was designed and used to track mutated tumor DNA in plasma and urine.

Can whole-body MRI replace CT in management of metastatic testicular cancer? A prospective, non-inferiority study.

Purpose: Concerns of imaging-related radiation exposure in young patients with high survival rates have increased the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in testicular cancer (TC) stage I. However, computed tomography (CT) is still preferred for metastatic TC. The purpose of this study was to compare whole-body MRI incl.

Implications for Efficacy and Safety of Total Dose and Dose-Intensity of Neoadjuvant Gemcitabine-Cisplatin in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Three-Week Versus Four-Week Regimen.

Background: Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy is standard care prior to radical cystectomy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Objective: To assess efficacy and safety of two commonly used neoadjuvant schedules with different total doses and dose-intensities of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC).

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from all patients treated between 2010 and 2018 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to clinical routine at seven centres in Sweden and Denmark.

Immune Contexture and Differentiation Features Predict Outcome in Bladder Cancer.

Background: An improved risk assessment of patients with bladder cancer (BC) is important to optimize clinical management.

Objective: To identify whether immune cell subpopulations and cancer cell-intrinsic features are associated with outcome and response to first-line chemotherapy in BC.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Primary tumor tissue from 785 patients with BC (stage Ta-T4b) were stained using multiplex immunofluorescence (CD3, CD8, FOXP3, CD20, CD68, CD163, and MHC-I) and immunohistochemistry (pancytokeratin, CK5/6, GATA3, programmed death 1 [PD-1], and programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1]).