Development of a novel treatment based on PKMYT1 inhibition for cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer with miR-424-5p-dependent cyclin E1 amplification.

Background: Chemotherapy including cisplatin is recommended for the treatment of advanced bladder cancer, but its effectiveness is limited due to the acquisition of drug resistance. Although several mechanisms of cisplatin resistance have been reported, there are still many unknowns, and treatment of cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer remains difficult. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to identify and characterize microRNAs involved in cisplatin resistance.

Characterization and treatment of gemcitabine- and cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells with a pan-RAS inhibitor.

Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) is recommended as the primary treatment for advanced bladder cancer (BC). However, the benefits of this approach are limited owing to the acquisition of drug resistance. Here, we found that gemcitabine-resistant and cisplatin-resistant BCs do not exhibit cross-resistance, and that these BCs exhibit different mRNA patterns, as revealed using RNA sequence analysis.

Long-Term Analgesic Efficacy of Neurolytic Splanchnic Nerve Block via the Transintervertebral Disc Approach to Retrocrural Space: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: The celiac plexus block is effective for treating intractable cancer pain and has been the focus of many studies. At our affiliated institution, fluoroscopy-guided splanchnic nerve block with a single needle via the transintervertebral disc approach was the first choice of treatment. The short-term efficacy of this technique has been reported, but the long-term efficacy is not clear.

Metastasectomy of a solitary liver tumor from prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: Metastasectomy of oligometastatic prostate cancer has the potential to contribute to improving prognosis. We report on a case of metastasectomy of solitary liver tumor after radical prostatectomy.

Case Presentation: An 80-year-old man underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, followed by radiotherapy after the operation because of increased serum prostate-specific antigen levels of 0.

Validation of the risk stratification newly defined in the Japanese Urological Association guidelines 2019 for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: A multi-institutional collaborative study.

Objectives: To validate the risk stratification newly defined in the Japanese Urological Association guidelines 2019 for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and provide a more accurate stratification model for a heterogeneous intermediate-risk group.

Methods: A total of 1610 patients, who underwent transurethral resection, diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in nine collaborating hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. They were classified into low-risk, intermediate-risk, high-risk, and highest-risk groups, and recurrence-free survival, progression-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were compared among the groups.

Efficacy and Safety of Neurolytic Splanchnic Nerve Block via Transintervertebral Disc Approach to Retrocrural Space: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Celiac plexus block is effective for treating intractable cancer pain and has been the focus of many studies. Several guiding techniques such as fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and endoscopy have been devised, and the target of the block has varied in previous studies as both the celiac plexus and splanchnic nerve, which is the main origin of the celiac plexus, have been targeted. At our affiliated institution, fluoroscopy-guided splanchnic nerve block with a single needle via transintervertebral disc approach is the first choice.

Successful annuloplasty using the cone-beam computed tomography-assisted radiofrequency thermocoagulation system in a patient with severe vertebral deformity: a case report.

Background: Complex anatomical features are challenging for minimally invasive intradiscal therapy owing to insufficient visualization for accurate needle advancement. We report the case of a patient with dysraphic vertebral pathologies who presented with L5/S1 degeneration and was successfully treated with annuloplasty using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-assisted radiofrequency thermocoagulation system.

Case Presentation: A 34-year-old woman presented with a lower back and left radicular pain of L5/S1 discogenic origin, accompanied by spina bifida occulta and lumbosacral transitional vertebra.

Site-specific Risk Stratification Models for Postoperative Recurrence and Survival Prediction in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Undergoing Radical Nephroureterectomy: Better Stratification for Adjuvant Therapy.

Background: Site-specific postoperative risk models for localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) are unavailable.

Objective: To create specific risk models for renal pelvic urothelial carcinoma (RPUC) and ureteral urothelial carcinoma (UUC), and to compare the predictive accuracy with the overall UTUC risk model.

Design Setting And Participants: A multi-institutional database retrospective study of 1917 UTUC patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) between 2000 and 2018 was conducted.

Targeting of the glutamine transporter SLC1A5 induces cellular senescence in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

In recent years, cancer metabolism has attracted attention as a therapeutic target, and glutamine metabolism is considered one of the most important metabolic processes in cancer. Solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) is a sodium channel that functions as a glutamine transporter. In various cancer types, SLC1A5 gene expression is enhanced, and cancer cell growth is suppressed by inhibition of SLC1A5.

microRNA-99a-5p induces cellular senescence in gemcitabine-resistant bladder cancer by targeting SMARCD1.

Patients with advanced bladder cancer are generally treated with a combination of chemotherapeutics, including gemcitabine, but the effect is limited due to acquisition of drug resistance. Thus, in this study, we investigated the mechanism of gemcitabine resistance. First, gemcitabine-resistant cells were established and resistance confirmed in vitro and in vivo.

Surveillance of urachal abscess in the Kyushu-Okinawa area of Japan.

Objective: To report a multicenter experience with the management of urachal abscess treatment in Japan.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 263 cases of urachal abscess managed at 12 university hospitals in the Kyushu-Okinawa region over a 10-year period. Age, sex, abscess size, clinical symptoms, type of urachal remnants, and treatment were collected and analyzed.

Significance of preoperative screening of deep vein thrombosis and its indications for patients undergoing urological surgery.

Purpose: Preoperative deep vein thrombosis (pre-DVT) is a risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) and a serious postoperative surgical complication. However, little is known about pre-DVT in patients undergoing surgery. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and screening criteria of pre-DVT in patients undergoing urological surgery.

EHHADH contributes to cisplatin resistance through regulation by tumor-suppressive microRNAs in bladder cancer.

Background: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is recommended as the primary treatment for advanced bladder cancer (BC) with unresectable or metastatic disease. However, the benefits are limited due to the acquisition of drug resistance. The mechanisms of resistance remain unclear.

Targeting NPL4 via drug repositioning using disulfiram for the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The alcohol-abuse drug disulfiram has antitumor effects against diverse cancer types via inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome protein nuclear protein localization protein 4 (NPL4). However, the antitumor effects of NPL4 and disulfiram in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are unclear. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway using disulfiram and RNA interference and investigated the mechanisms underlying disulfiram in ccRCC.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bladder Cancer 2019 update by the Japanese Urological Association: Summary of the revision.

Objectives: Despite just a 4-year interval from the last version (2015) of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bladder Cancer, several dramatic paradigm shifts have occurred in the latest clinical practice regarding both the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. Herein, we updated the 2019 version of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bladder Cancer under the instruction of the Japanese Urological Association.

Methods: We previously reported in a revision working position paper for Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bladder Cancer 2019 edition and described the methods of revision detail.

Successful Kidney Transplantation Alone With Severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction of Ejection Fraction 14%: A Case Report.

It is well known that correction of uremia by kidney transplantation alone (KTA) improves left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). However, for kidney transplant candidates with extremely severe LVSD, KTA is considered to be contraindicated because of the high risk of peri-operative management. We report a case of successful kidney transplantation with severe LVSD with an ejection fraction (EF) of 14% and low systolic blood pressure (SBP) of approximately 65 to 80 mm Hg.

Characterization of PHGDH expression in bladder cancer: potential targeting therapy with gemcitabine/cisplatin and the contribution of promoter DNA hypomethylation.

d-3-Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) conducts an important step in the synthesis of serine. Importantly, the PHGDH gene is often amplified in certain cancers. Our previous studies revealed that PHGDH gene amplification was associated with poor overall survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and that metabolic reprogramming of serine synthesis through PHGDH recruitment allowed ccRCC cells to survive in unfavorable environments.

Oncogenic effects of RAB27B through exosome independent function in renal cell carcinoma including sunitinib-resistant.

Exosomes are 40-100 nm nano-sized extracellular vesicles. They are released from many cell types and move into the extracellular space, thereby transferring their components to recipient cells. Exosomes are receiving increasing attention as novel structures participating in intracellular communication.

Potential new therapy of Rapalink-1, a new generation mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, against sunitinib-resistant renal cell carcinoma.

Sunitinib, a multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor including vascular endothelial growth factor, has been widely used as a first-line treatment against metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, mRCC often acquires resistance to sunitinib, rendering it difficult to treat with this agent. Recently, Rapalink-1, a drug that links rapamycin and the mTOR kinase inhibitor MLN0128, has been developed with excellent therapeutic effects against breast cancer cells carrying mTOR resistance mutations.

A new risk stratification model for intravesical recurrence, disease progression, and cancer-specific death in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: the J-NICE risk tables.

Background: The aim of this study is to establish new risk tables for the current clinical setting, enabling short- and long-term risk stratification for recurrence, progression, and cancer-specific death after transurethral resection in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Currently available risk tables lack input from the 2004 World Health Organization grading system and risk prediction for cancer-specific death.

Methods: This was a multi-institutional database study of 1490 patients diagnosed with NMIBC (the development cohort).

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bladder Cancer 2019 edition by the Japanese Urological Association: Revision working position paper.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bladder Cancer edited by the Japanese Urological Association were first published in 2009 and a revised edition was released in 2015. Four years has passed since the 2015 edition, and the clinical practice environment surrounding bladder cancer has drastically changed during that time. The main changes include: (i) insurance coverage of a new diagnostic method for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer; (ii) insurance coverage of an immune checkpoint inhibitor in advanced and metastatic bladder cancer; and (iii) advances in robot-assisted radical cystectomy as a minimally invasive treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.