Bladder Cancer

There are no notable differences in overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free survival between radical cystectomy and bladder-preserving combined modality treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, according to a recent meta-analysis.

Urologists’ compliance with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer guidelines has improved with respect to delivery of perioperative mitomycin, but other care measures continue to be suboptimal, according to a new study.

Researchers have developed software that can generate, in real time, whether a radical cystectomy patient is likely to be rehospitalized and when the urologist should follow up with the patient.

This article discusses the current status and potential future developments in immunotherapy for genitourinary malignancies with insights from urologic oncology specialists Hyung L. Kim, MD, and Daniel P. Petrylak, MD.

The role of protein- and cell-based urinary biomarkers for bladder cancer detection and surveillance is controversial, and in 2017 these assays have yet to come into widespread use among urologists. Their uptake is expected to increase, however, considering that the AUA/Society of Urologic Oncology “Guideline on Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer” that was released in 2016 identifies situations for using urinary biomarkers, according to Badrinath R. Konety, MD.

This article highlights the key points of two urologic cancer guidelines (which provide evidence-based guidance) and two consensus statements (which provide consensus recommendations by a multidisciplinary panel of experts) that have been published in the past year.

“The immune system may be an under-recognized contributor to the tumor response to chemotherapy,” said researcher Philip H. Abbosh, MD, PhD.

A recent study found that compared to white light cystoscopy, fluorescent cystoscopy was linked to a 41% decreased risk of bladder cancer recurrence at less than 3 months.

The noninvasive molecular test for detecting recurrent urothelial carcinoma also demonstrates high negative predictive value in a prospective study.

Results of an international randomized phase III study show that pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as second-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma provided superior overall survival and a better safety profile compared with commonly used chemotherapy options.

Chemoradiotherapy is an effective alternative to cystectomy in the primary management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, British researchers say.

New research suggests that post-surgery symptoms may last for at least 3 months in cystectomy patients and worsen over time in some cases, posing unique management challenges for urologists.

The purpose of this article is to discuss important principles of radical cystectomy, whether performed using the open, laparoscopic, or robotic approach.

An investigatory bladder cancer agent was associated with a 12-month high-grade recurrence-free survival of 35% for patients with Ta/T1 disease, researchers reported.

Cancer patients taking certain immunotherapy drugs may be more susceptible to developing autoimmune joint and tissue diseases, including inflammatory arthritis, according to a recent study.

Nivolumab (Opdivo) is the second in class of immune checkpoint inhibitors approved for advanced bladder cancer-treatments that are having “tremendous responses across a spectrum of cancers,” says Leonard G. Gomella, MD.

Urology-related FDA approvals from 2016 encompassed drugs and devices for prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, stone disease, and more.

Other pipeline developments discussed include an implantable device for OAB treatment, a subcutaneous hypogonadism treatment, efficacy results for an HPV drug, and the status of a device-based BPH treatment.

Sanofi Pasteur recently announced that it is discontinuing its BCG products TheraCys and ImmuCyst, prompting fears of a shortage of BCG for bladder cancer patients. In this interview, Dr. Benjamin J. Davies, associate professor of urology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, discusses the implications of the announcement and what’s next for patients and clinicians.

Other pipeline developments discussed include a bladder cancer test, a male infertility assay, and the first oral dosage treatment for hypogonadism.

A team from Roswell Park Cancer Institute has developed and validated a quality assessment tool based on prospectively collected data on robot-assisted cystectomy.

Other pipeline developments discussed in this article include the initiation of an intravesical bladder cancer study, a gel treatment for ED that has met its primary endpoint, a patent awarded for the first rechargeable implantable SNM along with some other advancements.

A recently approved treatment for urothelial carcinoma provides durable responses when used as first-line treatment in patients who are ineligible for cisplatin-based therapy, according to a recent study.

A bladder cancer drug-device combination, a localized prostate cancer agent, and a new surgical robot are among other treatments in the pipeline discussed in this round-up.

A recent study of patients with a new diagnosis of microhematuria finds that rates of bladder and kidney cancer as well as urolithiasis depend on how thoroughly the patients are evaluated.