PD-L1 Expression in High-Risk Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Is Influenced by Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Therapy.

In the expanding landscape of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) in high-risk (HR) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the role of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) as prognostic and predictive is increasingly significant. However, data evaluating its variability and susceptibility to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy in HR NMIBC patients is scarce. This retrospective study analyzed 126 HR NMIBC tissue samples from 63 patients (38× BCG-treated, 25× BCG-naïve) at two time points to assess PD-L1 expression using the 'combined positivity score' (CPS) with the 22C3 DAKO antibody method and correlated it with clinicopathological parameters. A CPS > 10 defined PD-L1 positivity. The impact of initial PD-L1 status and its change over time on time-to-recurrence, progression-free survival, and overall survival (TTR, PFS, OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models. BCG treatment significantly increased PD-L1 expression (5.31 vs. 0.22, p = 0.0423), with PD-L1 positive cases rising post-treatment in the BCG group and remaining unchanged in BCG-naïve patients. Multivariate analysis including T-stage, CIS, grading, tumor size, multifocality, age, and sex revealed a significant correlation between PD-L1 status change to positivity and improved TTR (p = 0.03). Our findings demonstrate a potential modulation of the PD-L1 status by an intravesical BCG therapy. However, its prognostic value appears limited.

Hemangioma of the Urinary Bladder: A Brief Narrative Review of Their Diagnosis, Histology, and Treatment Options.

BACKGROUND: Hemangioma of the urinary bladder is a rare benign tumor. Although benign, their presenting symptoms are alarming for both patients and doctors, and their rarity makes them challenging to correctly diagnosis and treat. This review paper summarizes current knowledge about hemangioma of the urinary bladder, treatment options, and follow-up modalities. SUMMARY: After the kidney, the bladder is the second most common location of hemangiomas in the urinary tract. There is painless gross hematuria on clinical presentation once the lesion has eroded the urothelium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported to be valuable in diagnosing soft-tissue hemangiomas. Cystoscopic findings of a sessile, blue, multilocular mass suggest hemangioma. Most tumors are solitary, smaller than 3 cm, and have smooth or irregular surfaces. Histologically, lesions comprise numerous proliferative capillaries with thin-walled, dilated, blood-filled vessels lined with flattened endothelium. The treatment of patients with hemangioma has been controversial. It depends on the tumor size and the degree of penetration. The prognosis of these tumors is excellent. KEY MESSAGES: Despite the widespread use of MRI, CT, and endoscopy in evaluating hematuria, hemangioma remains one of the rarest bladder tumors. Moreover, only a histological examination can confirm the diagnosis. Transurethral resection, fulguration, and YAG laser ablation are standard treatments for small tumors. In terms of follow-up, cystoscopy after 6 months of treatment helps assess recurrence. In addition, MRI is a practical, noninvasive technique for follow-up of small hemangiomas.

Analysis of the immunological markers BTLA, TIM-3, and PD-L1 at the invasion front and tumor center in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are then backbone in the therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of this analysis was to explore the different expression of the ICI PD-L1, BTLA, and TIM-3 at the different tumor locations of the invasion front and the tumor center. METHODS: Large-area sections of the tumor center and invasion front of 44 stage pT1-4 clear cell RCCs were examined immunohistochemically using antibodies against BTLA, TIM-3, and PD-L1 and subsequently correlated with clinicopathologic data. RESULTS: TIM-3 was most strongly expressed at the invasion front (mean ± SD: 84.1 ± 46.6, p = 0.094). BTLA expression was highest in normal tissue, with weak staining in the tumor center and at the invasion front [110.2 vs. 18.6 (p < 0.001) vs. 32.2 (p = 0.248)]. PD-L1 was weakly expressed at the tumor center (n = 5/44) and at the invasion front (n = 5/44). Correlation with clinicopathological parameters revealed significantly higher BTLA expression in ≥ T3 tumors compared to T1/2 tumors (tumor center p = 0.009; invasion front p = 0.005). BTLA-positive tumors at the tumor center correlated with worse CSS (median 48.46 vs. 68.91 months, HR 4.43, p = 0.061). PD-L1 expression was associated with worse CSS (median 1.66 vs. 4.5 years, HR 1.63, p = 0.652). For TIM-3, there were no significant associations with clinicopathological parameters and survival. CONCLUSION: The present results show heterogeneous intratumoral and intertumoral expression of the investigated checkpoint receptors PD-L1, BTLA, and TIM-3. In the clinical practice tumor sampling should include different tumor locations, and multiple inhibition of different checkpoint receptors seems reasonable to increase the therapeutic success.

Differential Expression and Clinical Relevance of C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) in Renal Cell Carcinomas, Benign Renal Tumors, and Metastases.

C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) is part of the human chemokine system and involved in progression and metastasis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the role of CXCR4 protein expression in RCC remains controversial. In particular, data regarding the subcellular distribution of CXCR4 in RCC and RCC metastasis as well as CXCR4 expression in renal tumors of variant histology are limited. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the differential CXCR4 expression in RCC primary tumor and metastatic tissue as well as in variant renal histologies. In addition, the prognostic capacity of CXCR4 expression in organ-confined clear cell RCC (ccRCC) was evaluated. Three independent renal tumor cohorts (primary ccRCC cohort n1 = 64; cohort of various histological entities n2 = 146; metastatic RCC tissue cohort n3 = 92) were evaluated using tissue microarrays (TMA). After immunohistochemical staining for CXCR4, nuclear and cytoplasmic expression patterns were evaluated. CXCR4 expression was correlated with validated pathologic prognosticators, clinical data, and overall and cancer-specific survival. Positive cytoplasmic staining was observed in 98% of the benign and 38.9% of the malignant samples. Nuclear staining was positive for 94.1% of the benign samples and 83% of the malignant samples. The median cytoplasmic expression score was found to be higher in benign tissue than in ccRCC (130.00 vs. 0.00); median nuclear expression score analysis indicated the opposite (56.0 vs. 71.0). Within malignant subtypes, the highest expression score was seen in papillary renal cell carcinomas (cytoplasmic: 117.50, nuclear: 41.50). Within benign renal tumors, high cytoplasmic and nuclear CXCR4 expression scores were seen for oncocytomas (cytoplasmic: 100.00, nuclear: 31.00). Expression scores in RCC metastasis ranked between benign renal tissue and ccRCC in cytoplasmic and nuclear expression. Cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was identified as a prognostic factor for OS and CSS (p = 0.042; p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis including clinicopathological parameters did not reveal an independent prognostic character of CXCR4 expression. CXCR4 expression differs significantly within benign lesions and renal neoplasms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of CXCR4 could be detected across all RCC subtypes. The prognostic value of CXCR4 in ccRCC was confirmed in univariate analysis.

Real world data on IO-based therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Immune-based (IO)-combinations are the backbone in the systemic therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Despite phase III clinical trial data, real world data are of special importance to reflect clinical practice. METHODS: This retrospective study included 201 mRCC patients receiving first-line systemic therapy from January 2006. Clinicopathological and treatment-related data were recorded. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Over the years, IO-based therapies have increased significantly. The collective comprises 76 patients with first-line IO-based therapy (IO-IO:55, TKI-IO:21) and 125 patients with TKI-monotherapy. PFS was significantly improved with TKI-IO combinations if compared to both TKI-monotherapy (23.9 vs. 10.3 months, HR 0.48, p = 0.034) and IO-IO combination (23.9 vs. 6.1 months, HR 0.37, p = 0.012). OS for TKI-IO treated patients was longer compared to TKI-monotherapy (HR 0.37, p = 0.050) at median follow-up of 24.1 versus 29.9 months. In a subanalysis of nivolumab treated patients, starting from second-line (n = 40), PFS was 5.5 months. The addition of nivolumab either in second-or later lines improved OS compared to repeated TKI- or mTOR-therapies alone (6.13 vs. 2.61 years, HR 0.46, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Both first-line IO-based combinations and nivolumab after first-line TKI-monotherapy prolong OS in a real-world setting.

A novel molecular signature identifies mixed subtypes in renal cell carcinoma with poor prognosis and independent response to immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous disease comprising histologically defined subtypes. For therapy selection, precise subtype identification and individualized prognosis are mandatory, but currently limited. Our aim was to refine subtyping and outcome prediction across main subtypes, assuming that a tumor is composed of molecular features present in distinct pathological subtypes. METHODS: Individual RCC samples were modeled as linear combination of the main subtypes (clear cell (ccRCC), papillary (pRCC), chromophobe (chRCC)) using computational gene expression deconvolution. The new molecular subtyping was compared with histological classification of RCC using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (n = 864; ccRCC: 512; pRCC: 287; chRCC: 65) as well as 92 independent histopathologically well-characterized RCC. Predicted continuous subtypes were correlated to cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the TCGA cohort and validated in 242 independent RCC. Association with treatment-related progression-free survival (PFS) was studied in the JAVELIN Renal 101 (n = 726) and IMmotion151 trials (n = 823). CSS and PFS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four signature genes enabled reference-free molecular classification of individual RCC. We unambiguously assign tumors to either ccRCC, pRCC, or chRCC and uncover molecularly heterogeneous tumors (e.g., with ccRCC and pRCC features), which are at risk of worse outcome. Assigned proportions of molecular subtype-features significantly correlated with CSS (ccRCC (P = 4.1E - 10), pRCC (P = 6.5E - 10), chRCC (P = 8.6E - 06)) in TCGA. Translation into a numerical RCC-R(isk) score enabled prognosis in TCGA (P = 9.5E - 11). Survival modeling based on the RCC-R score compared to pathological categories was significantly improved (P = 3.6E - 11). The RCC-R score was validated in univariate (P = 3.2E - 05; HR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.8-5.08) and multivariate analyses including clinicopathological factors (P = 0.018; HR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.14-4.04). Heterogeneous PD-L1-positive RCC determined by molecular subtyping showed increased PFS with checkpoint inhibition versus sunitinib in the JAVELIN Renal 101 (P = 3.3E - 04; HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.36 - 0.75) and IMmotion151 trials (P = 0.047; HR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48 - 1). The prediction of PFS significantly benefits from classification into heterogeneous and unambiguous subtypes in both cohorts (P = 0.013 and P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Switching from categorical to continuous subtype classification across most frequent RCC subtypes enables outcome prediction and fosters personalized treatment strategies.

Nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase is a promising metabolic drug target for primary and metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic enzyme nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is highly expressed in various cancer entities, suggesting tumour-promoting functions. We systematically investigated NNMT expression and its metabolic interactions in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a prominent RCC subtype with metabolic alterations, to elucidate its role as a drug target. METHODS: NNMT expression was assessed in primary ccRCC (n = 134), non-tumour tissue and ccRCC-derived metastases (n = 145) by microarray analysis and/or immunohistochemistry. Findings were validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (kidney renal clear cell carcinoma [KIRC], n = 452) and by single-cell analysis. Expression was correlated with clinicopathological data and survival. Metabolic alterations in NNMT-depleted cells were assessed by nontargeted/targeted metabolomics and extracellular flux analysis. The NNMT inhibitor (NNMTi) alone and in combination with the inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose for glycolysis and BPTES (bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl-sulfide) for glutamine metabolism was investigated in RCC cell lines (786-O, A498) and in two 2D ccRCC-derived primary cultures and three 3D ccRCC air-liquid interface models. RESULTS: NNMT protein was overexpressed in primary ccRCC (p = 1.32 × 10-16 ) and ccRCC-derived metastases (p = 3.92 × 10-20 ), irrespective of metastatic location, versus non-tumour tissue. Single-cell data showed predominant NNMT expression in ccRCC and not in the tumour microenvironment. High NNMT expression in primary ccRCC correlated with worse survival in independent cohorts (primary RCC-hazard ratio [HR] = 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-12.4; KIRC-HR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.0-5.4). NNMT depletion leads to intracellular glutamine accumulation, with negative effects on mitochondrial function and cell survival, while not affecting glycolysis or glutathione metabolism. At the gene level, NNMT-depleted cells upregulate glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation and apoptosis pathways. NNMTi alone or in combination with 2-deoxy-D-glucose and BPTES resulted in inhibition of cell viability in ccRCC cell lines and primary tumour and metastasis-derived models. In two out of three patient-derived ccRCC air-liquid interface models, NNMTi treatment induced cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Since efficient glutamine utilisation, which is essential for ccRCC tumours, depends on NNMT, small-molecule NNMT inhibitors provide a novel therapeutic strategy for ccRCC and act as sensitizers for combination therapies.

Role of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with First-Line Ipilimumab plus Nivolumab.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line ipilimumab plus nivolumab. Methods: This retrospective study included forty-nine mRCC patients treated with first-line ipilimumab plus nivolumab at the Department of Urology of the University of Tuebingen, Germany. SII was assessed before starting ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy at the time of first imaging and at tumor progression. Optimal SII cut-off was stratified by ROC-analysis. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of SII. Results: Optimal SII cut-off was 788. Twenty-nine/forty-nine patients had high SII (≥788) before initiation of ipilimumab plus nivolumab. High SII was an independent prognostic factor for worse progression-free (HR 2.70, p = 0.014) and overall survival (HR 10.53, p = 0.025). The clinical benefit rate was higher for patients with low SII if compared to high SII (80% vs. 32.1%). An increase in SII > 20% from baseline after twelve weeks of therapy was associated with progression at first imaging (p = 0.003). Conclusions: SII is both prognostic and predictive and could refine decision making in patients with unclear imaging on therapy with ipilimumab plus nivolumab.

Prognostic impact of complete metastasectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of immuno-oncology-based combination therapies.

PURPOSE: Complete metastasectomy of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is receding into the past due to the progress of immuno-oncology-based combinations (IO) in systemic therapy. The prognostic impact of curative intended complete metastasectomy vs. immediate IO-based therapy or tyrosine kinase inhibition (TKI) on progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was investigated in the first-line setting. METHODS: 205 patients with synchronous or metachronous metastasis received complete metastasectomy (n = 80) or systemic therapy (n = 125, TKI: 87, TKI-IO: 13, IO-IO: 25) as first-line therapy. The prognostic impact of these therapies was assessed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: First-line complete metastasectomy significantly improved CSS compared to both TKI monotherapy (6.1 vs. 2.6 years, HR 0.45, p < 0.001) and IO-based combination therapy (IO-IO/TKI-IO, 6.1 vs. 3.5 years, HR 0.28, p = 0.007). Repetitive complete metastasectomy without ever receiving systemic therapy vs. systemic therapy in first-line significantly prolonged CSS (11.3 vs. 3.1 years, HR 0.34, p = 0.002). First-line complete metastasectomy and subsequent systemic therapy at tumor progression was associated with a significant CSS benefit vs. systemic therapy (5.8 vs. 3.1 years, HR 0.53, p = 0.003), also compared to IO-based combinations (5.8 vs. 3.5 years, HR 0.30, p = 0.017). Median PFS was improved by IO-based therapy compared to TKI monotherapy in the first-line setting (HR 0.61, p = 0.05), with maximal benefit of the TKI-IO combination vs. TKI monotherapy (HR 0.27, p = 0.01), as well as compared to PFS of complete metastasectomy (HR 0.34, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Despite the progress of IO-based combination therapies in first line, complete metastasectomy remains an integral part of the multimodality treatment of metastatic RCC.

Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) is associated with poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): an example for the crucial role of redox signaling in ccRCC.

PURPOSE: Thioredoxins are major regulatory proteins of oxidative signaling. Trx1 is the most prominent thioredoxin and, therefore, the current study sought to evaluate the prognostic role of Trx1 in ccRCC. METHODS AND PATIENTS: A tissue micro-array (TMA) study was carried out to evaluate the association of Trx1 with clinicopathological features and survival outcome. Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated for the association of characteristics in the Trx1 gene with clinicopathological features and survival outcome. RESULTS: In the TMA, patients with ccRCC that had high Trx1 levels had lower T stages (p < 0.001), less often distant metastases (p = 0.018), lower nuclear grades (p < 0.001), and less often tumor necrosis (p = 0.037) or sarcomatoid features (p = 0.008). Patients with a combined score of ≥ 10 had better DSS than patients with a low combined score of < 10 (HR 95% CI 0.62 (0.39-0.98)). Interestingly, the survival outcome is compartment specific: ccRCC patients whose tumors had exclusively Trx1 expression in the cytoplasm had the worst survival outcome (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.2-8.0). Genomic data from the TCGA demonstrated that patients with ccRCCs that had Trx1 losses had more advanced clinicopathological features and worse survival outcome in disease specific (p < 0.001), overall (p = 0.001), and progression free survival (p = 0.001) when compared to patients with ccRCCs without copy number variations (CNV) or gains. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests a possible role of Trx1 in the tumor biology of ccRCC and thus, the current study strongly advises in depth investigations of redox signaling pathways in ccRCC.

Characterization of Genetic Heterogeneity in Recurrent Metastases of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibits poor prognosis. Better knowledge of distant metastases is crucial to foster personalized treatment strategies. Here, we aimed to investigate the genetic landscape of metastases, including synchronous and/or recurrent metastases to elucidate potential drug target genes and clinically relevant mutations in a real-world setting of patients. We assessed 81 metastases from 56 RCC patients, including synchronous and/or recurrent metastases of 19 patients. Samples were analysed through next-generation sequencing with a high coverage (~1000× mean coverage). We therefore established a novel sequencing panel comprising 32 genes with impact on RCC development. We observed a high frequency of mutations in known RCC driver genes (e.g., >40% carriers of VHL and PBRM1 mutations) in metastases irrespective of the metastatic site. The somatic mutational composition was significantly associated with cancer-specific survival (p(logrank) = 0.03). Moreover, we identified in 34 patients at least one drug target gene as well as clinically relevant mutations listed in the VICC Meta-Knowledgebase in 7%. In addition to significantly higher mutational burden in recurrent metastases compared to earlier ones, synchronous and/or recurrent metastases of individual patients, even after a time-period >2 yrs, shared a high proportion of somatic events. Our data demonstrate the importance of somatic profiling in metastases for precision medicine in RCC.

p53 is functionally inhibited in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): a mechanistic and correlative investigation into genetic and molecular characteristics.

PURPOSE: Although p53 is rarely mutated in ccRCC, its overexpression has been linked to poor prognosis. The current study sought to elucidate the unique role of p53 in ccRCC with genomic, proteomic, and functional analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated for genomic and proteomic characteristics of p53; a tissue micro array (TMA) study was carried out to evaluate the association of p53 and phosphorylated p53 (pp53) with clinical outcome. Mechanistic in vitro experiments were performed to confirm a pro-apoptotic loss of p53 in ccRCC and p53 isoforms as well as posttranslational modifications of p53 where assessed to provide possible reasons for a functional inhibition of p53 in ccRCC. RESULTS: A low somatic mutation rate of p53 could be confirmed. Although mRNA levels were correlated with poor prognosis and clinicopathological features, there was no monotonous association of mRNA levels with survival outcome. Higher p53 protein levels could be confirmed as poor prognostic features. In vitro, irradiation of ccRCC cell lines markedly induced levels of p53 and of activated (phosphorylated) p53. However, irradiated ccRCC cells demonstrated similar proliferation, migration, and p53 transcriptional activity like non-irradiated controls indicating a functional inhibition of p53. p53 isoforms and could not be correlated with clinical outcome of ccRCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: p53 is rarely mutated but the wildtype p53 is functionally inhibited in ccRCC. To investigate mechanisms that underlie functional inhibition of p53 may provide attractive therapeutic targets in ccRCC.

Pembrolizumab for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The acquisition of resistance to VEGF-inhibiting therapies has prompted research toward immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Among several, checkpoint inhibitors including PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors are the most promising approach. AREAS COVERED: This review addresses the clinical efficacy of the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab in first- and second-line treatment for mRCC regarding the most recent and significant published and ongoing studies. Attention is also given to its pharmacological characteristics as well as adverse events and its impact on patients' quality of life. EXPERT OPINION: Immunotherapy has become the backbone for the treatment of advanced RCC. With the approval of several therapeutic options, research needs now to focus on defining the appropriate therapy for each patient. Axitinib plus pembrolizumab belongs to the combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) plus immune checkpoint inhibitors for the first-line treatment of metastatic RCC. New combinations of pembrolizumab plus TKI for the evaluation in first- and second-line treatment of mRCC available. However, studies directly comparing the various treatment regimens using predictive biomarkers and long-term endpoints, including treatment-free survival, are lacking.

The prognostic value of fat invasion and tumor expansion in the hilar veins in pT3a renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The 7th TNM classification summarizes renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with perirenal (PFI) and/or sinus fat invasion (SFI) as well as hilar vein involvement (RVI) as pT3a tumors. In this study, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of fat invasion (FI) in the different compartments and RVI for medium-term cancer-specific-survival (CSS) in pT3a RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with pT3a RCC were identified using an institutional database. All original pathological reports were reclassified according to the 7th TNM edition. The prognostic value of FI as well as divided into PFI, SFI, combined PFI + SFI, and RVI for CSS was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox-regression analysis. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median follow-up in 184 pT3a tumors was 38 months. FI was detectable in 153 patients (32.7% PFI, 45.1% SFI, 22.2% PFI + SFI), 31 patients showed RVI alone. Combined PFI + SFI increased the risk of cancer-related death compared to PFI (HR 3.11, p < 0.01), SFI (HR 1.84, p = 0.023) or sole RVI (HR 2.12, p = 0.025). In multivariate analysis, a combined PFI + SFI vs. PFI or SFI as the only compartment involved was confirmed as independent prognostic factor (HR 1.83, p = 0.029). Patients with FI and simultaneous RVI had significantly shorter CSS (HR 2.63, p < 0.01). In an unweighted model, the difference between patients with combined PFI + SFI and RVI and those with PFI alone was highest (HR 4.01, p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: These results underline the subdivision of pT3a RCC depending on the location of FI and RVI for patient stratification.

Combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: We have experienced several paradigm shifts and substantial changes in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) over the last two decades. Combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as a dual combination (ICI-ICI) or with VEGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKI) has shown remarkable efficacy in mRCC patients and has become the standard of care in first-line therapy. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we will discuss the background as well as the benefits of combining ICI with TKI compared to ICI-ICI combination therapy for mRCC treatment and will also briefly highlight biomarkers for patient selection on therapies to improve patient outcomes and limit toxicities. EXPERT OPINION: Due to the mediated additional anti-tumor effects, there is a strong rationale to combine ICIs and TKIs for mRCC therapy. When comparing first-line therapy options, the exceptionally higher ORR and PFS for the ICI-TKI combinations should be highlighted, whereas, nevertheless, the complete response rate is slightly higher for the ICI-ICI combination. In terms of an individualized therapeutic approach, biomarkers predicting the success or failure of an anti-VEGF-based regimen or ICI therapy as a corresponding mono - or combination therapy are lacking so far, however, gene expression signatures can be a landmark in this field.

Enfortumab vedotin - next game-changer in urothelial cancer.

Introduction: The therapeutic landscape of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) becomes increasingly dense: standard therapy remains cisplatin-based chemotherapy, followed by immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors as maintenance or second-line. New directions include erdafitinib, a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor in patients with corresponding mutations in FGFR2/3 receptor. Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting nectin-4 and is conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). It received FDA approval based on phase I/II data recently and thus represents an alternative to established third-line chemotherapies with vinflunine, paclitaxel, or docetaxel.Areas covered: The aim of this review was to evaluate the added value of Enfortumab vedotin in the therapeutic landscape of mUC. Current therapeutic options and alternatives for the affected patients are described, followed by a detailed description of the characteristics and available results of EV. Ongoing studies are explained, the present significance of the substance is assessed and its further future potential is outlined.Expert opinion Enfortumab vedotin has shown encouraging efficacy and a good tolerability in phase I/II trials, especially in heavily pretreated patients and patients with liver metastases. It appears to outperform third-line chemotherapies; ongoing studies will show the future potential of EV in treatment sequence.

Prognostic impact of somatostatin receptor expression in advanced bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Somatostatin receptors (SSTR) recently have been identified as potential targets for treatment of solid tumors. Furthermore, they have been shown to be of high relevance for tumor biology and prognosis in various types of cancer. However, there is a lack of clinical data for SSTR in bladder cancer (BC). Aim of this study was to determine the expression of all relevant somatostatin receptor subtypes in benign urothelium and tumor tissue of patients with muscle invasive BC. Furthermore, their potential role as prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. METHODS: The collective included BC and benign urothelium tissue of 103 patients (Median age 69; range 32-84, 79 male, 24 female) who underwent a radical cystectomy. A tissue microarray with subsequent immunohistochemical staining was used to assess membranous expression of SSTR1-5. Results were correlated to clinical and histopathological data as well as CSS and OS. RESULTS: Expressions of SSTR1-4 were significantly decreased in BC compared to benign urothelium (P < 0.002 each), whereas SSTR5 expression was increased (P = 0.0017). Expression of SSTR1 was associated with organ-confined disease (≤pT2) (P = 0.0477). No correlation between SSTR1-5 expression and N- and M-stage was observed. Univariate analyses showed a significantly longer CSS and OS in patients with high expression of SSTR3 (P = 0.0316 and 0.0044). Multivariate analyses confirmed SSTR3 expression as independent marker of improved CSS and OS (P = 0.0324 and 0.0076). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of somatostatin receptor subtypes exhibit decreased expression in BC compared to benign bladder tissue. Expression of SSTR3 is an indicator for favorable prognosis in patients with muscle-invasive BC. These results support preclinical investigations using somatostatin receptor analogues such as octreotide to influence BC growth.

An evaluation of avelumab for the treatment of genitourinary tumors.

INTRODUCTION: The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) programmed cell death protein and ligands 1 (PD1- and PD-L1) as well as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 have demonstrated clinical efficacy in genitourinary cancer. While different ICI exist, focus of the current study work was to evaluate the PD-L1 antibody avelumab within this framework of ICI. AREAS COVERED: The manuscript reviews the pharmacological characteristics and preclinical and clinical data of avelumab in the treatment for advanced or metastatic genitourinary cancers. It highlights its respective clinical relevance and special features in the context of the other available ICI. EXPERT OPINION: Avelumab has shown promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with mRCC and mUC as mono- and combination therapy. The approach of an avelumab maintenance therapy in mUC is promising and could become part of future clinical practice. Results of ICI used in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting are eagerly awaited. Avelumab's uniqueness is its capacity to enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Because of this, currently ongoing clinical trials investigate the combination of avelumab with other immune modulating agents like IL-12 and IL-15. Thereby, it can be assumed that avelumab will have an ongoing role in the treatment of patients with genitourinary tumors.

Integrative -omics and HLA-ligandomics analysis to identify novel drug targets for ccRCC immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the dominant subtype of renal cancer. With currently available therapies, cure of advanced and metastatic ccRCC is achieved only in rare cases. Here, we developed a workflow integrating different -omics technologies to identify ccRCC-specific HLA-presented peptides as potential drug targets for ccRCC immunotherapy. METHODS: We analyzed HLA-presented peptides by MS-based ligandomics of 55 ccRCC tumors (cohort 1), paired non-tumor renal tissues, and 158 benign tissues from other organs. Pathways enriched in ccRCC compared to its cell type of origin were identified by transcriptome and gene set enrichment analyses in 51 tumor tissues of the same cohort. To retrieve a list of candidate targets with involvement in ccRCC pathogenesis, ccRCC-specific pathway genes were intersected with the source genes of tumor-exclusive peptides. The candidates were validated in an independent cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA KIRC, n = 452). DNA methylation (TCGA KIRC, n = 273), somatic mutations (TCGA KIRC, n = 392), and gene ontology (GO) and correlations with tumor metabolites (cohort 1, n = 30) and immune-oncological markers (cohort 1, n = 37) were analyzed to characterize regulatory and functional involvements. CD8+ T cell priming assays were used to identify immunogenic peptides. The candidate gene EGLN3 was functionally investigated in cell culture. RESULTS: A total of 34,226 HLA class I- and 19,325 class II-presented peptides were identified in ccRCC tissue, of which 443 class I and 203 class II peptides were ccRCC-specific and presented in ≥ 3 tumors. One hundred eighty-five of the 499 corresponding source genes were involved in pathways activated by ccRCC tumors. After validation in the independent cohort from TCGA, 113 final candidate genes remained. Candidates were involved in extracellular matrix organization, hypoxic signaling, immune processes, and others. Nine of the 12 peptides assessed by immunogenicity analysis were able to activate naïve CD8+ T cells, including peptides derived from EGLN3. Functional analysis of EGLN3 revealed possible tumor-promoting functions. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of HLA ligandomics, transcriptomics, genetic, and epigenetic data leads to the identification of novel functionally relevant therapeutic targets for ccRCC immunotherapy. Validation of the identified targets is recommended to expand the treatment landscape of ccRCC.

Immune checkpoint inhibition for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: The systemic therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is moving from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors to immune checkpoint inhibitors and its combination with TKIs.Areas covered: This review provides a general overview using immune checkpoint inhibition for the treatment of RCC. Clinical results from conducted and ongoing clinical trials are summarized and checkpoint inhibition is reviewed in the context to other available systemic therapies such as TKIs for mRCC based on the different International Metastastic RCC Database Consortium (IMCD) risk groups. Furthermore, prospects for the use of predictive biomarkers in the decision-making process of chosen therapy will be given.Expert opinion: Using checkpoint inhibition in mRCC has demonstrated a superior efficacy for patients with IMDC intermediate and poor risk for ipilimumab combined with nivolumab. Furthermore, therapeutic regimes with tyrosine kinase inhibition plus immune checkpoint-inhibition were recently presented and demonstrated superiority in all risk groups for axitinib plus pembrolizumab in overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) and axitinib plus avelumab in PFS compared to sunitinib monotherapy. Novel biomarkers of response to further optimize therapeutic selection and patient outcomes are ongoing medical objectives.