This article reviews the latest research on urothelial carcinoma presented at the 2024 ASCO-GU conference, focusing primarily on the treatment strategies for node-positive muscle-invasive bladder cancer (N + MIBC) and adjuvant therapy post-surgery for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Patients with N + MIBC are at a higher risk of recurrence and require a comprehensive treatment approach. The combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy has demonstrated significant efficacy. Additionally, bladder-sparing treatment and immuno-maintenance therapy show promise in improving disease-free survival. The results from the AMBASSADOR and CheckMate-274 studies indicate that postoperative immuno-adjuvant therapy for high-risk MIBC is beneficial in delaying disease recurrence. These advancements offer new hope for the treatment of patients with high-risk MIBC and may potentially improve patient outcomes.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is known as one of the most valuable metal nanoparticles in antibacterial and anticancer application. AgNPs-resistant bacteria has been documented, but it is unclear whether cancer cells can also escape the anti-cancer effect of AgNPs. In this study, we aimed to investigate this phenomenon and its underlying mechanism. The antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of AgNPs were measured in the presence of HeLa cell metabolites. The status of AgNPs in the system associated with metabolites were characterized by UV-Vis, Zetasizer Nano ZS, and transmission electron microscopy. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to reveal the metabolites components that bind with AgNPs. HeLa cells were injected intraperitoneally to establish the tumor-bearing mice model, and the stability of AgNPs in mice serum was analyzed. The results manifested that HeLa cell metabolites inhibited the anticancer and antibacterial effects of AgNPs in a dose-dependent manner by causing AgNPs aggregation. Effective metabolites that inhibited the biological activity of AgNPs were stable in 100 ℃, insoluble in chloroform, containing sulfur elements, and had a molecular weight less than 1 kDa in molecular weight. There were 115 compounds bound with AgNPs. In vitro experiments showed that AgNPs aggregation occurred only when the concentration of α-ketoglutarate (AKG) and glutathione (GSH) together reached a certain threshold. Interestingly, the concentration of AKG and GSH in HeLa cellular metabolites was 10 and 6 times higher than that in normal cervical epithelial cells, respectively, which explained why the threshold was reached. Furthermore, the stability of AgNPs in the serum of tumor-bearing mice decreased by 20% (P < 0.05) compared with the healthy mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that HeLa cells escaped the anti-cancer effect of AgNPs through the synergistic effect of AKG and GSH, suggesting the need to develop strategies to overcome this limitation.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; HeLa Cells ; Silver/pharmacology* ; Ketoglutaric Acids/pharmacology* ; Metal Nanoparticles ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Glutathione ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Objective:To evaluate risk factors for local recurrence and prognosis in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy combined with lymph node dissection (LND).Methods:The data of 237 patients who were diagnosed with UTUC in Peking University First Hospital and received radical nephroureterectomy combined with LND during January 2010 and March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic characteristics and oncological outcomes were compared according to lymph node metastasis. There were 122 males and 115 females. The tumors of 122 cases were located on the left, while 115 cases were on the right. The tumors of 102 cases were in the renal pelvic, 124 cases in the ureter and 11 cases in both sites. The mean age was (65.52±10.14) years old. The overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of all patients were valued using Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival curves with statistical significance between two groups were analyzed by log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed to identify the independent risk factors for CSS and LRFS.Results:There were 122 males and 115 females. According to the lymph node metastasis, the patients were divided into lymph node negative group ( n=180, 75.9%) and lymph node positive group ( n=57, 24.1%). Lymph node positive group had a higher percentage in renal tumor [57.9%(33/57) vs. 38.1% (69/180)], stage T 3-4 [84.2%(48/57) vs. 32.8%(59/180)], G 3 [91.2%(52/57) vs. 55.6%(100/180)], glandular differentiation [17.5%(10/57) vs. 4.4%(8/180)], sarcomatoid differentiation [22.8%(13/57) vs. 9.4%(17/180)], necrosis [47.4%(27/57) vs. 16.1%(29/180)], lymphovascular invasion [40.4%(23/57) vs. 12.2%(22/180)] and the number of lymph node dissection [ 4(1, 10) vs. 2(1, 5)]. There were significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05). Of 237 patients, 42 lost of follow up. The median follow-up time was 46(22, 79) months. Among the 195 patients, 52 patients died, and 42 died due to the tumor. Of all patients, 58(29.7%) had local recurrence, 34 had local recurrence alone, and 24 had concurrent distant metastasis. The 5-year OS and CSS were 67.4% and 71.3%, respectively. The 5-year OS and CSS were 70.5% and 75.1% respectively in the lymph node negative group, 57.5% and 59.4% respectively in the lymph node positive group ( P < 0.05). The 3-year LRFS was 68.0% for all the patients. The 3-year LRFS was 75.6% in the lymph node negative group and 44.5% in the lymph node positive group ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor stage T 3-4( HR =3.924, 95% CI 2.045-7.529, P<0.001) and G 3( HR=2.871, 95% CI 1.193-6.909, P =0.019) were independent risk factors for LRFS. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥70 years ( HR = 3.578, 95% CI 1.917-6.678, P<0.001) and pathological stage T 3-4 ( HR =2.366, 95% CI 1.278-4.381, P =0.006) were independent risk factors for CSS. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥70 years ( HR = 3.874, 95% CI 2.190-6.853, P<0.001) and pathological stage T 3-4 ( HR = 2.757, 95% CI 1.565-4.857, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for OS. Conclusions:Patients with high T stage, high grade, as well as glandular differentiation, sarcomatoid differentiation, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion are more likely to have positive lymph node detection. Age ≥70 years and stage T 3-4 were independent risk factors for CSS and OS. Stage T 3-4 and G 3were independent risk factors for LRFS.

Objective:To study the value of urine-based multi-dimensional bioinformatics evaluation model (utLIFE model) in early diagnosis and postoperative monitoring of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).Methods:Morning urine samples of patients clinically diagnosed with UTUC without bladder cancer from Peking University First Hospital from August 2022 to October 2022 were collected. Urine samples were collected before and after surgery, and DNA was extracted for gene sequencing. The utLIFE model previously constructed by our center was used to calculate the score, based on 155 gene mutation sites and copy number variation, and the score ≥60 was defined as utLIFE positive. The sensitivity of utLIFE model in diagnosis of UTUC was analyzed with postoperative pathology as the gold standard. The utLIFE scores before and after operation were also compared.Results:A total of 53 patients were included in this study, all of whom were confirmed as UTUC by postoperative pathology. The median age of patients was 66 (59, 72) years. Twenty-four cases (45.3%) of UTUC tumors were located in the renal pelvis, 26 cases (49.1%) were located in the ureter, and 2 cases (5.7%)involved both ureter and renal pelvis. There were 27 patients (50.9%) at T 1stage and 26 patients (49.1%) at ≥T 2 stage. Preoperative utLIFE score of 53 patients was 79 (70, 84). The sensitivity of preoperative utLIFE diagnosis of UTUC was 96.2% (51/53). utLIFE showed similar high sensitivity in T 1 stage and ≥T 2 stage [100.0% (27/27) vs. 92.3% (24/26), P=0.236], in N 0 and ≥N 1 stage [ 95.0% (38/40) vs. 100.0% (5/5), P=1.000]. In addition, the sensitivity of preoperative utLIFE was higher than that of urine cytology [ 95.2% (20/21) vs. 23.8% (5/21). P<0.001], fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) [ 92.6% (25/27) vs. 55.5% (15/27), P=0.004] and ureteroscopy [ 86.7% (13/15) vs. 60.0% (9/15), P=1.000]. A total of 45 patients postoperative utLIFE samples were collected, and the postoperative utLIFE score was significantly lower than that of preoperative [ 36 (18, 61) vs. 79 (70, 84), P<0.001]. Conclusions:utLIFE, as a non-invasive urine DNA bioinformatics assessment model, is significantly superior to cytology and FISH in early detection and has high sensitivity in diagnosis of UTUC, and can reflect perioperative minimal residual disease levels.

Objective:To evaluate the risk factors of clinical cure and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP).Methods:The clinical data of 896 patients who underwent RP at Peking University First Hospital from April 2001 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Average age was (65.90±6.3) years, median preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 10.75 (0.36-264.20) ng/ml, median prostate volume was 40.0 (12.0-220.9) ml, median PSA density (PSAD) was 0.27 (0.02-3.42) ng/(ml·g). Clinical staging: 432 cases in T 1c stage, 333 cases in T 2a/bstage, 76 cases in T 2c stage, and 55 cases in ≥T 3 stage. Preoperative Gleason score of biopsy: 193 cases in 3+ 3, 315 cases in 3+ 4, 162 cases in 4+ 3, 226 cases in ≥8. The RP surgery was operated by open or laparoscopic or robot-assisted approach. Clinical cure and BCR were used as the end points for analysis. Clinical cure was defined as a decrease in serum PSA level below 0.03 ng/ml 6 weeks after surgery. BCR was defined as the 2 consecutive serum PSA >0.2ng/ml during the follow-up after RP. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of clinical cure. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the biochemical recurrence-free survival curve, the log-rank method was used for univariate analysis of BCR, and the Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results:All 896 patients were followed-up for 58 (5-241) months, 678 cases (75.7%) achieved clinical cure. Based on univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, among the preoperative indicators, whether the proportion of positive biopsy needles ≥33% ( P=0.007) and preoperative Gleason score of biopsy ( P=0.041) were independent risk factors of clinical cure. A total of 890 cases were included in the analysis of risk factors of BCR, of whom 172 cases (19.3%) had BCR. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year biochemical recurrence-free survival(BFS)rates were 98.1%, 83.1% and 68.4% respectively. The median BFS has not been reached, and the average BFS was 181 months (95% CI 172-189). The results of univariate and multivariate analysis showed that whether achieved clinical cure ( P=0.001) and postoperative pathological staging ( P<0.001) were independent risk factors of BCR. Conclusions:Whether the proportion of positive biopsy needles≥33% and preoperative Gleason score of biopsy were independent risk factors of clinical cure. Postoperative pathological staging and whether achieved clinical cure may be independent risk factors of BCR.

A 69-year old man presented with high-risk metastatic prostate cancer. After 7 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), he progressed to metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. We suggested him comprehensive therapy, including Abiraterone, chemo-therapy, radio-therapy, platinum chemo-therapy and Enzalutamide, which proved effective with his long term survival.

The update of active surveillance section in European Association of Urology guidelines 2020 edition mainly referred the DETECTIVE consensus, which was first published in 2019 on the European Journal of Urology. The content of update was outlined as follows: ①Pathologically, patients with qualified ISUP 1 and 2 can be selected for active surveillance, and excluded pathological types are also listed; ②The guideline emphasizes the important role of MRI in active surveillance, in confirmatory biopsy, monitoring process and withdrawal; ③Emphasizing the role of PSA velocity and PSA doubling time in the monitoring process and withdrawal.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and prognostic features of surgical resection of locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma patients after initial radical or partial nephrectomy.Methods:The data of the patients treated for postoperative locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma from Jan 2005 to Dec 2019 in the Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Postoperative locally recurrent of renal cell carcinoma is defined as disease recurring in the remnant kidney, renal fossa, adjacent abdomen, ipsilateral adrenal or retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Secondary surgery includes radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, recurrent mass resection or radiofrequency ablation. The adjuvant therapy and prognostic information after secondary surgery were obtained and analyzed. Ninety-five patients were included in the study, with the median age of 56 years old (14-82 years old). The overall median recurrent interval was 25 months (2-164 months) and the median recurrent interval for radical and partial nephrectomy patients were 30 months and 25 months, with no significant difference. As for the secondary surgery, 63 patients underwent open surgery, 22 patients with laparoscopic surgery and 10 patients with radiofrequency ablation therapy.Result:The median operation time of secondary surgery was 148 minutes (35-330 minutes) and median intraoperative blood loss of 150 ml (20-3 000 ml). There were 8 cases of stage Ⅰ or stage Ⅱ postoperative complication, including wound infection and anemia. A stage Ⅲ complication of postoperative hematuria occured. The patient underwent renal artery embolization to control the hematuria. Eight patients suffered local recurrence and 10 patients experienced distant metastasis after the secondary surgery. During the follow-up, 6 patients died. The overall 3-year, 5-year disease free survival rate was 85.8% and 53.3%, respectively. The median survival time of patients with remnant kidney, renal fossa, and adjacent abdomen recurrence was 78 months, while 49 months for patients with ipsilateral adrenal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes recurrence ( P=0.141). Conclusions:With sufficient evaluation and preparation, the resection of the recurrent mass could be feasible and safe. With completion resection and negative surgery margin, patients could obtain relative long-term survival.

In recent years, the field of medical treatment of genitourinary tract tumors has made rapid progress. Precision medicine has provided important role in selecting the potential patients. Immunotherapy is a new choice for metastatic disease. The combination therapy has also brought the light for better tumor control. This article briefly introduces these progresses and provides new conception and research directions for treatment of genitourinary tract tumors.

Objective To summarize the characteristics of clinical manifestation of bone flare after the treatment with new endocrine therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in order to evaluate the curative effect of patients properly and determine the reasonable treatment strategy.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of two patients with mCRPC performed "bone flare" defined as PSA decline and bone metastases progression in the initial treatment with new endocrine therapy in Urology Department of Peking University First Hospital,and analyzed the clinical characteristics and treatment methods with the relative literature.Case 1,a 79-year-old man,presented with frequent urination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 115.900 ng/ml,was diagnosed as prostate cancer (cT3N0M1) with bone metastasis.After androgen deprivation therapy of 24 months,PSA elevated and multiple bone metastases progressed.The patient was diagnosed with mCRPC and then began the treatment of enzalutamide.Case 2,a 62-year-old man,complained about emaciation and frequent urination,was diagnosed with prostate cancer(cT4N1M1)with bone and lymph metastases.After androgen deprivation therapy of 22 months,PSA elevated and multiple bone metastases progressed.The patient was diagnosed with mCRPC and then began the treatment of abiraterone.Results Case 1 was treated with enzalutamide and 2 months later PSA decreased from 133.400 ng/ml to 5.530 ng/ml,while bone scan showed multiple bone metastases,part of which was newly metastatic lesions.6 months later,the number of metastatic lesions kept stable,and part of lesions presented metabolism decrease.8 months later,the number of metastatic lesions began to decrease.1 year later,the patient started to receive chemical therapy because of the progression of the disease.After 5 cycles of chemotherapy,PSA progression occurred and chemotherapy was stopped.Liver failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation caused death in June 2016.Case 2 was treated with abiraterone and 2 months later PSA decreased from 54.820 ng/ml to 3.580 ng/ml,while bone scan showed multiple bone metastases,part of which was newly metastatic lesions.6 months later,the number of metastatic lesions began to decline.10 months later,the number of metastatic lesions kept stable.The treatment of abiraterone was continued so far and the patient was in a stable condition.Conclusions Enzalutamide and abiraterone,two new endocrine therapy,are determined as preferred methods for the treatment of mCRPC.The bone scanning is required to evaluate the possibility of "bone flare" which is defined as PSA decline and bone metastases progression in the initial treatment.These patients should be evaluated to make appropriate clinical decision.