Apalutamide for non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC): real world data of a multicenter study.

Purpose: Apalutamide plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) improved outcomes in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Nevertheless real-world data are limited. The aim of this multicenter study was to generate real-world data from nmCRPC patients treated with ADT plus apalutamide.

Transcriptomic response of prostate cancer cells to carbon ion and photon irradiation with focus on androgen receptor and TP53 signaling.

Background: Radiotherapy is essential in the treatment of prostate cancer. An alternative to conventional photon radiotherapy is the application of carbon ions, which provide a superior intratumoral dose distribution and less induced damage to adjacent healthy tissue. A common characteristic of prostate cancer cells is their dependence on androgens which is exploited therapeutically by androgen deprivation therapy in the advanced prostate cancer stage.

Molecular characterization of the craniosynostosis-associated interleukin-11 receptor variants p.T306_S308dup and p.E364_V368del.

Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines and is an important factor for bone homeostasis. IL-11 binds to and signals via the membrane-bound IL-11 receptor (IL-11R, classic signaling) or soluble forms of the IL-11R (sIL-11R, trans-signaling). Mutations in the IL11RA gene, which encodes the IL-11R, are associated with craniosynostosis, a human condition in which one or several of the sutures close prematurely, resulting in malformation of the skull.

Modulation of immune checkpoint regulators in interferon γ induced urothelial carcinoma and activated T-lymphocyte cells by cytostatics.

Exploring the regulation of co-inhibitory (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4) and co-stimulatory (CD28) genes by chemotherapeutic drugs is important for combined immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. ICB interferes with T-cell receptor and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) signaling by antibody drugs directed against the co-inhibitors. Here, we analyzed urothelial (T24) cell line with respect to cytokine signaling by interferon γ (IFNG) and the leukemia lymphocyte (Jurkat) cell line with respect to T-cell activation as mimicked by phorbolester and calcium ionophore (pma/iono).

Increased Density of Growth Differentiation Factor-15+ Immunoreactive M1/M2 Macrophages in Prostate Cancer of Different Gleason Scores Compared with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

Although growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is highly expressed in PCa, its role in the development and progression of PCa is unclear. The present study aims to determine the density of GDF-15+ cells and immune cells (M1-/M2 macrophages [MΦ], lymphocytes) in PCa of different Gleason scores (GS) compared to BPH. Immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence were performed on paraffin-embedded human PCa and BPH biopsies with antibodies directed against GDF-15, CD68 (M1 MΦ), CD163 (M2 MΦ), CD4, CD8, CD19 (T /B lymphocytes), or PD-L1.

Gynecologic Oncology: Pelvic Exenteration for Advanced or Recurring Cervical Cancer - A Single Center Analysis.

Background/aim: Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological indication for pelvic exenteration (PE). It is an ultima ratio approach to cure advanced or recurring tumors. This study aimed to evaluate data from a Single Center Institution in order to assess morbidity, mortality and survival data.

Cellular and soluble immune checkpoint signaling forms PD-L1 and PD-1 in renal tumor tissue and in blood.

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy is a treatment option of various metastatic cancer diseases including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Approved antibody drugs target the co-inhibitory signaling of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its receptor Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1). The combined evaluation of PD-L1 and PD-1 at the mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissue with differentiation of tumor and immune cells as well as of soluble forms (sPD-L1) and (sPD-1) in blood is of basic interest in assessing biomarker surrogates.

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent or advanced gynecologic malignancies - Analysis of outcome and complications.

Pelvic exenterations are known to be a last resort therapeutic option for advanced or recurrent gynecologic malignancies, which are known to have poor prognosis. All women treated with anterior (APE) or total (TPE) pelvic exenteration at our University hospital within a five-year period were identified and their data retrospectively analysed. Parameters such as demographic information, tumor type and stage, previous therapy as well as complication rate and overall survival were evaluated.

[CpG-ODN instillation boosts ICAM-1 expression in an orthotopic murine UCC model: immunohistochemical evaluation of the local response to immunostimulatory DNA].

Background: Immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) have been verified as an effective antineoplastic agent for intravesical application in a murine orthotopic C57-BL6 /MB-49 urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). To date, many details in the mode of action have remained unclear. Preceding studies pointed towards a Th1-weighted response.

Chemotherapy of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cell Carcinoma: Monocentric Real-Life Data.

Background/aim: Up to 30% of all patients will present with an advanced or a metastatic stage (mUCC) at the moment of the initial diagnosis of urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder (UCC). We investigated the numbers, the efficacy and toxicity of different chemotherapies for mUCC in daily practice and "real-life" conditions and evaluated them substance-specifically.

Patients And Methods: All patients with a mUCC, who were treated between January 1, 2006 and October 31, 2016 at the Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology at University Hospital Marburg (Germany), were retrospectively analyzed.

Co-Regulation of Immune Checkpoint PD-L1 with Interferon-Gamma Signaling is Associated with a Survival Benefit in Renal Cell Cancer.

Background: Programmed death ligand (PD-L1)-based immune checkpoint blockade therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) achieves significant response rates in a subgroup of patients. The relevance of PD-L1 gene regulation for disease outcome is not clear.

Objective: To evaluate PD-L1 expression and its dependence on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in RCC cell lines and tissues in relation to disease outcome.

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) is associated with tumor grading and staging.

Introduction: Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has become a target for radionuclide imaging and therapy. Previous studies have shown that the expression of PSMA is not specific to prostate tissue. In this study we examine the expression of PSMA in urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC).

Management of an Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant with Bilateral Renal Obstruction Caused by Fungus Balls.

We report an extremely low birth weight infant with anuria caused by bilateral fungus balls it was treated with a combination of antifungal therapy, irrigation and pyelotomy. This lead to a recovery of renal function, after a follow-up of 77 month no more Candida was cultured from urine.

Vinflunine in the treatment of relapsed metastatic urothelial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world series.

Background: Vinflunine (VFL) is approved in Europe as second-line treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer after failure of platinum-containing therapy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world data (RWD) to assess utilization, efficacy and safety of VFL.

Methods: We performed a MEDLINE search for the period of 1/1/2000-31/8/2017.

NOD1 and NOD2 of the innate immune system is differently expressed in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma, corresponding healthy renal tissue, its vasculature and primary isolated renal tubular epithelial cells.

Purpose: NOD1 and NOD2 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain)-receptors are intracellular receptors and belong to the family of pattern recognition receptors being present in both human and murine renal tubular cells. Besides, NOD1 has been proved to promote apoptosis, upon its overexpression. Hence, we aimed to investigate NOD1 and NOD2 expression in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

[Retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma-a rare case with multiple relapses-even 20 years after primary diagnosis].

A 41-year-old man without previous illness presented at our clinic with progressive pain in the lower abdomen and intermittent pain in the left flank. We found a lesion of unknown dignity which had anatomical contact to the bladder and rectum. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma.

[Update Urooncology: News from major scientific meetings 2018].

We are living in exciting times for urological oncology. The numbers of clinical trials are ever rising, a stream of new substances for tumour therapy is introduced. As it is more challenging than ever to obtain an overview as a clinician, this article aims to summarise the most important news with regard to the 3 most eminent urological tumour entities.

Sex-related differences in urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder in Germany.

Background: Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC), also called transitional cell cancer, occurs significantly more often in males than in females. Essential for the prognosis of recovery is depth of infiltration (muscle-invasive or non-muscle invasive) and tumor-differentiation at initial diagnosis. The current study aimed to explore sex-related differences after initial diagnosis of UCC in Germany.

mRCC Outcome in the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma - A German Single-center Real-world Experience.

Background/aim: Since the advent of targeted therapeutics, paradigms in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treatment have changed. We investigated if efficacy and safety data from randomized controlled trials can be transferred into real-world settings.

Patients And Methods: All patients with mRCC treated from 2006-2015 at the Department of Urology (Marburg-Germany) were retrospectively analyzed.

Prostate cancer tissues with positive TMPRSS2-ERG-gene-fusion status may display enhanced nerve density.

Innervation of prostate cancer (CaP) tissue favors tumor progression and metastasis but the regulation of innervation in CaP is unclear. The oncogenic transcription factor ERG is commonly induced by a typical TMPRSS2-ERG (TE) gene fusion in CaP and may affect innervation. Here, we analyzed whether nerve density of CaP tissue is related to TE status or perineural infiltration status of CaP tissue.

Effects of multi and selective targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors on function and signaling of different bladder cancer cells.

Background: Signaling of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) is dysregulated in various malignancies including bladder cancer. RTKs trigger pro-proliferative, anti-apoptotic and metastatic signaling pathways. Here, we assessed the effects of a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) (BGJ398) targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and a pan-TKI (TKI258) targeting (FGFR), platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) in bladder cancer cells.

The Immune Checkpoint Molecule CD200 Is Associated with Tumor Grading and Metastasis in Bladder Cancer.

Background: We examined the expression of CD200, a ligand of immune tolerance, in transitional cell carcinoma of the human bladder (TCC).

Materials And Methods: CD200 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 90 patients with suspected TCC lesions of the bladder. Expression of CD200 was exemplarily validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.

[Follow-up of bladder cancer : The right examinations at the right time].

Schedules for the follow-up (FU) of bladder cancer patients are predominantly based on studies with low level of evidence and the resulting guidelines' recommendations that are often founded on expert consensus. FU of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) includes cystoscopy and cytology as standard, and imaging modalities to a lower extent. FU of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) depends primarily on the therapeutic modality chosen and on the stage of disease.