bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial differences in aneuploidy in high-grade muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Authors: Khan Adeel M , Markt Sarah C , Mucci Lorelei A , Stopsack Konrad H. 
Published: March 2021

400 Background: Bladder cancer is marked by racial disparities in stage at presentation, treatment, and survival. It is unknown how somatic tumor genomes differ by race. Tumor aneuploidy, defined as aberrant counts of chromosome arms, is pervasive in tumors including bladder cancer. Its associations with race are incompletely understood. We sought here to characterize the relation of race with aneuploidy in high-grade muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Methods: To quantify how aneuploidy differs by race, we leveraged the cohort of patients with high-grade, muscle-invasive bladder cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Chromosome arm gains and losses were identified based on Affymetrix SNP 6.0 arrays (Taylor 2018). We focused on aneuploidy burden defined as the count of chromosome arms altered by gains and losses per tumor, which was based on both p and q chromosome arms of all autosomes except for acrocentric autosomes (q arms only) and ranged from 0 to 34 altered chromosome arms. We used multivariable linear regression to obtain mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in the number of altered chromosome arms between self-reported racial groups, adjusting for demographics (sex, age at diagnosis, smoking status) and tumor characteristics (grade, histology). We also evaluated associations between race and number of altered chromosome arms stratified by papillary/non-papillary histology and sex. Results: Of 362 participants, 315 self-identified as White (87%), 25 as Asian (7%), and 22 as Black (6%). 73% were men, 21% were current smokers, and 52% former smokers. Median age at diagnosis was 69 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 61 to 76). Asians and Blacks tended to be younger at diagnosis than Whites, with more never-smokers among Asians. More profiled tumors were of papillary histology among Asians (44%), and fewer among Blacks (18%), than among Whites (30%). Aneuploidy burden was high overall (median, 14 altered chromosome arms; IQR: 8 to 19); only 17% of tumors had five or fewer altered chromosome arms. Compared to Whites, aneuploidy burden overall was similar in tumors from Asians (adjusted mean difference, –2.3 fewer altered chromosome arms; 95% CI: –5.4 to 0.9) and Blacks (–1.7; 95% CI: –5.1 to 1.7). Asian race appeared more strongly associated with lower aneuploidy burden in non-papillary tumors (–3.9 altered chromosome arms; 95% CI: –7.7 to –0.1) than in papillary tumors (–0.3; 95% CI: –5.6 to 5.0), and in men (–3.5; 95% CI: –7.0 to 0.1) than in women (–0.8; 95% CI: –6.8 to 5.2). Conclusions: These findings suggest potential differences in aneuploidy burden between Asians and Whites among high-grade muscle-invasive bladder cancers. They also highlight a need for validation in cohorts that are more racially diverse and have a well-defined source population (study base) with detailed data on cancer risk factors and histopathology.
Is there a role for urine cytology following BCG therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)?
Authors: Prattley Sarah , Jarvis Ruth , Featherstone Jon , Narahari Krishna , Varma Murali , Hughes Owen , Kynaston Howard 
Published: March 2021

404 Background: Voided urine cytology has been used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), with a sensitivity and specificity ranging between 13-75% and 76-100% respectively. There is limited data on the accuracy and utility of cytology following BCG therapy. We reviewed the results of cytology in patients undergoing induction and maintenance BCG immunotherapy in our institution. Methods: Newly diagnosed patients who had received induction and maintenance intravesical BCG therapy from 2004 - 2019 were identified from a prospective database and their outcomes reviewed retrospectively. Histopathology results of biopsies / resected specimens and voided urine cytology results were examined for 273 patients. Results: A total of 2567 cytology results and 638 biopsy results were recorded. The average age was 73.2 years and median number of BCG treatments was four (induction followed by three maintenance courses). Median follow up was 38 months. 94 patients (34.4%) had recurrence following BCG therapy. Of those 33 patients (12.1%) had progression to muscle invasive disease. The number of cytology samples per patient after BCG therapy ranged from 1-23 (median 7), with several patients having repeated, potentially unnecessary negative urine cytology. Overall accuracy of cytology (n = 526) was sensitivity 44.2%, specificity 84.7%, PPV 38.9%, NPV 87.3%. Patients that had an erythematous bladder or red patch at flexible cystoscopy underwent subgroup analysis; this gave a very high NPV of 95.9%, with additional sensitivity being 65.5%, specificity 85.9% and PPV 33.3%. Number of positive cytology results (Chi2 = 44.30, P = 0.002), any positive cytology (Chi2 = 27.94, P < 0.001) and positive cytology after induction BCG therapy (Chi2 = 30.381, P < 0.001) were all strongly associated with recurrence. Conclusions: Positive urine cytology in patients undergoing intravesical BCG therapy predicts increased risk of recurrence and has good specificity. We would recommend using voided urine cytology in patients who have an erythematous bladder or red patch at flexible cystoscopy. If the cytology is positive then proceed to biopsy, however, if it is negative continue with surveillance. [Table: see text]
Treatment patterns among patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma following discontinuation of PD1/L1 inhibitor therapy.
Authors: Morgans Alicia K. , Grewal Simrun Kaur , Hepp Zsolt , Fuldeore Rupali , Odak Shardul , Macahilig Cynthia , Shillington Alicia C. , Sonpavde Guru 
Published: March 2021

414 Background: There are a lack of published real-world data on treatment patterns for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) previously treated with programmed death 1/ligand 1 inhibitor (PD-1/L1i) therapy. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical characteristics and treatments among patients with la/mUC following discontinuation of first-line (1L) or second-line (2L) PD-1/L1i therapy. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review at 26 geographically diverse clinical sites in the US. Patients aged ≥18 years with histologically or cytologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma and radiographic evidence of metastatic or locally advanced disease were identified. Included patients had initiated and subsequently discontinued PD-1/L1i therapy in the 1L or 2L setting for la/mUC between May 15, 2016-July 31, 2018. All patients had follow-up through October 31, 2019. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Among the 300 patients included in the chart review, 198 (66%) received PD-1/L1i therapy as 1L and 102 (34%) as 2L therapy. Mean (SD) age at la/mUC diagnosis was 69.4 (8.7) years, and a majority of patients were male (66.0%) and White (74.7%). Consistent with age, most patients (82.7%) had comorbidities at la/mUC diagnosis; 39.7% hypertension, 23.7% coronary artery disease, 17.7% pulmonary disease, and 9.3% renal disease. At initiation of therapy, a higher proportion of patients who received 1L PD-1/L1i therapy had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or more than patients who received 2L PD-1/L1i therapy (36.8% vs 22.5%, respectively). Following discontinuation of PD-1/L1i therapy, 34% (n = 68) received subsequent therapy in 2L and 29% (n = 30) in third-line (3L). The most common subsequent therapies in 2L were gemcitabine monotherapy (24%), gemcitabine plus cisplatin or carboplatin (22%), PD-1/L1i therapy (22%), and taxane monotherapy (19%). The most common subsequent therapies received in 3L were taxane monotherapy (50%), pemetrexed (17%), and PD-1/L1i therapy (16%). Overall, switching from one PD-1/L1i therapy to another distinct PD-1/L1i therapy occurred in approximately 20% of patients, with “better efficacy/survival” noted by treatment teams as the most common reason for switching therapy among this subgroup. Conclusions: In this real-world case series, only a minority of patients with la/mUC who discontinued PD-1/L1i therapy received subsequent therapy. Among those that did, no clear standard of care was observed and approximately one-fifth of patients were treated with a second PD-1/L1i therapy after the first failed to control disease. Collectively, the data highlight significant unmet need for patients with la/mUC who discontinue PD-1/L1i therapy.
Bladder cancer research funding in Canada and the United States: A comparison between stakeholder priorities and resource allocation from 2017 to 2019.
Authors: Kaiser Jeenan , Litt Ishjot , Smith Angela B. , Bhindi Bimal , Alimohamed Nimira S. 
Published: March 2021

422 Background: There is an increasing emphasis on patient-centered research to encourage cancer care that is responsive to patients' needs. Previously, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) Patient Survey Network (PSN) engaged patients and other key stakeholders and compiled a prioritized list of research questions in bladder cancer. However, it is uncertain whether these priorities have successfully guided subsequent resource allocation by funding agencies. The purpose of this study was to understand how bladder cancer research funding has been allocated in recent years and to determine whether funding patterns have aligned with patient and caregiver priorities. Methods: We investigated publicly available research databases online or contacted agencies directly to determine bladder cancer research fund allocation in Canada and the US from 2017 to 2019. Each funding competition and all funded projects were evaluated to assess whether they aligned with previously identified priority research areas. Trends in funding allocation were assessed and several key variables including country, year, agency focus, cancer stage, and funding amount were analyzed. Results: Fifteen agencies provided funding to bladder cancer research between 2017 and 2019, amounting to a total of $78,525,974 in funding for 298 projects across Canada and the US. Of this funding, $23,268,258 (30%) went towards projects addressing the stakeholder-identified high priority research questions, $15,575,064 (20%) went towards projects addressing lesser priority questions, and the remaining $39,682,652 (50%) funded projects addressing questions which did not align with previously identified stakeholder priorities. General agencies (non-bladder cancer-specific) funded more priority (high and lesser) projects than bladder cancer-specific agencies (p < 0.001). Among projects addressing non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, 36% of funding went to high priority areas, compared to 13% and 27% for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and metastatic bladder cancer, respectively. Among the top 10% of projects (n = 30) with the greatest funding amount (combined $43,249,792), 45% of the funding went to high priority areas, 21% went to lesser priority areas, and 34% went to non-priority areas. Conclusions: Of nearly $80,000,000 USD allocated to bladder cancer research in recent years, approximately half was allocated to projects addressing stakeholder-identified priority areas while half was allocated to projects that were not aligned with stakeholder priorities. More work is needed to ensure stronger alignment between stakeholder-identified priority areas and funding allocation in bladder cancer research.
Avelumab (Ave) first-line (1L) maintenance plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC): JAVELIN Bladder 100 Japanese subgroup analysis.
Authors: Tsuchiya Norihiko , Yamamoto Yoshiaki , Uemura Hirotsugu , Kanayama Hiro-Omi , Eto Masatoshi , Miyake Hideaki , Powles Thomas , Yoshida Mizuki , Koide Yuichiro , Umeyama Yoshiko , Di Pietro Alessandra , Tomita Yoshihiko 
Published: March 2021

425 Background: A randomized phase III trial (JAVELIN Bladder 100; NCT02603432) to investigate avelumab (anti–PD-L1) as 1L maintenance therapy in patients with advanced UC met its primary objective, demonstrating significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) with Ave + BSC vs BSC alone in all randomized patients and in patients with PD-L1+ tumors. We report efficacy and safety in Japanese patients enrolled in this study. Methods: Eligible patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic UC that had not progressed with 4-6 cycles of gemcitabine with either cisplatin or carboplatin were randomized 1:1 to receive maintenance Ave (10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks) + BSC or BSC alone, stratified by best response to 1L chemotherapy (complete/partial response vs stable disease) and by visceral vs nonvisceral disease when initiating 1L chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was OS, assessed from randomization in all randomized patients and in patients with PD-L1+ tumors (Ventana SP263 assay). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded independent central review and safety. Results: Japanese patients (n=73) were randomized to receive Ave + BSC (n=36) or BSC alone (n=37); 52.8% vs 62.2% had PD-L1+ tumors, respectively. Median OS (95% CI) was 24.7 months (18.2-not estimable [NE]) with Ave + BSC vs 18.7 months (12.8-33.0) with BSC alone (HR, 0.81 [95% CI; 0.409-1.585]) in all randomized patients and 18.6 months (9.4-NE) with Ave + BSC vs 19.4 months (11.7-33.0) with BSC alone (HR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.413-2.412]) in patients with PD-L1+ tumors. Median PFS (95% CI) was 5.6 months (1.9-9.4) with Ave + BSC vs 1.9 months (1.9-3.8) with BSC alone (HR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.358-1.113]) in all randomized patients and 5.6 months (1.8-11.2) with Ave + BSC vs 1.9 months (1.9-3.8) with BSC alone (HR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.298-1.301]) in patients with PD-L1+ tumors. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (all grade; grade ≥3) in the Ave + BSC arm were pyrexia (10 [27.8%]; 0), nasopharyngitis (7 [19.4%]; 0), and anemia (7 [19.4%]; 4 [11.1%]). Conclusions: Ave 1L maintenance + BSC was efficacious and tolerable in Japanese patients with advanced UC, and results were generally consistent with those in the overall population. Clinical trial information: NCT02603432.
An open-label, multicenter, phase IIIb study of patients with urinary tract carcinoma (UTC) (STRONG): Final analysis for fixed-dose durvalumab monotherapy (module A).
Authors: Sonpavde Guru , Marabelle Aurelien , Loriot Yohann , Sternberg Cora N. , Lee Jae-Lyun , Flechon Aude , Roubaud Guilhem , Pouessel Damien , Zagonel Vittorina , Calabro Fabio , Banna Giuseppe L. , Shin Sang Joon , Vera Badillo Francisco Emilio , Powles Thomas , Hellmis Eva , Palhares de Miranda Paulo Andre , Lima Ana Rita , Sawyer William , Hotte Sebastien J. 
Published: March 2021

429 Background: Patients (pts) with advanced UTC who fail first-line therapy have poor prognoses. Durvalumab (D; anti-PD-L1) 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks is approved for treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy (CT). Further understanding of long-term safety and efficacy of D in platinum and non-platinum pretreated pts, using a fixed dose every 4 weeks (Q4W), is of value. Methods: Module A of the phase IIIb STRONG study (NCT03084471) investigated the safety of fixed-dose D (1500 mg, Q4W) in pts with urothelial and nonurothelial UTC who progressed on or after platinum/non-platinum CT. The primary endpoint was the number of pts with adverse events of special interest (AESIs) – events with an inflammatory or immune-mediated mechanism that may require interventions (eg, steroids/immunosuppressants), including immune-mediated adverse events (imAE). AEs with onset date on or after the date of first dose and up to 90 days after study discontinuation were included. Secondary endpoints included serious AEs and overall survival (OS). Exploratory endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) (investigator assessed per RECIST 1.1). Results: A total of 867 pts received D monotherapy. Median age was 68.1 yr and 80.0% were male; 87.1% had an ECOG PS 0-1 and 12.7% had ECOG PS 2. Most (96.3%) had urothelial UTC, including urothelial variants. Tumor PD-L1 expression was high (≥25%) in 239/577 (41.4%) pts with available data. Median treatment and follow-up duration were 12.1 wk (range 1-128) and 13.8 mo (range 0.0-28.8), respectively. Safety data are reported in the table. Deaths related to study treatment occurred in 9 pts (1.0%). At data cutoff (March 31, 2020), 30.8% of pts were in survival follow-up. Median OS was 7.0 mo (95% CI: 6.4-8.2); OS rate at 1 and 2 yr was 35.8% (95% CI: 32.5-39.2) and 20.2% (95% CI: 16.5-24.1), respectively. ORR was 17.7% with complete responses in 5.1% of pts. DCR at 6 mo was 33.0%. Median OS of subgroups: PD-L1 high or low: 9.3 mo (95% CI: 6.7-12.7) and 6.5 mo (95% CI: 5.8-8.1); ECOG PS 0-1 or 2: 8.4 mo (95% CI: 7.2–9.8) and 3 mo (95% CI: 2.0-4.1); urothelial and nonurothelial UTC: 7.0 mo (95% CI: 6.4-8.2) and 7.0 mo (95% CI: 2.7-10.2), respectively. Conclusions: Fixed-dose D monotherapy Q4W is convenient with an acceptable safety profile in previously treated pts for UTC. Long-term safety and efficacy data reported are consistent with published studies of D and other IO agents in this setting. Clinical trial information: NCT03084471 . [Table: see text]
Avelumab (Ave) first-line (1L) maintenance plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC): JAVELIN Bladder 100 subgroup analysis based on duration and cycles of 1L chemotherapy.
Authors: Loriot Yohann , Powles Thomas , Climent Durán Miguel Ángel , Sridhar Srikala S. , Bellmunt Joaquim , Petrylak Daniel Peter , Wang Jing , Costa Nuno Matos , Laliberte Robert J , Di Pietro Alessandra , Grivas Petros , Sternberg Cora N. 
Published: March 2021

438 Background: Avelumab 1L maintenance is approved in the United States for patients with advanced UC that has not progressed with 1L platinum-containing chemotherapy based on significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) vs BSC seen in the phase III JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial (NCT02603432). However, optimal duration of 1L chemotherapy is unknown and some patients are unable to receive 6 cycles. We report a post hoc analysis of efficacy by duration or number of cycles of 1L chemotherapy. Methods: Eligible patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic UC that had not progressed with 4-6 cycles of 1L gemcitabine + cisplatin or carboplatin were randomized to receive maintenance avelumab + BSC or BSC alone within 4-10 weeks. Subgroups were defined by quartiles (Qs) for duration (<Q1 [<15.0 weeks], Q1-Q2 [15.0 to <18.0 weeks], Q2-Q3 [18.0 to <20.1 weeks], and >Q3 [>20.1 weeks]) or estimated number of cycles (4, 5, or 6) of 1L chemotherapy. Duration of chemotherapy included dosing delays/interruptions, and the decision to stop 1L chemotherapy was at the investigator’s discretion. Treatment arms were compared using an unstratified Cox proportional hazards model for OS. The potential impact of baseline characteristics on treatment patterns or dose intensity was not explored. Results: Numbers of patients in 1L chemotherapy subgroups were generally well balanced between arms (Table). An OS benefit was observed for avelumab + BSC vs BSC alone across subgroups with differing durations or cycles of 1L chemotherapy (Table). A progression-free survival benefit was also observed for avelumab + BSC vs BSC alone across subgroups. No significant treatment-by-cycle interaction (at 0.05 level) was observed. Conclusions: Improved OS was observed with avelumab 1L maintenance vs BSC alone irrespective of duration or cycles of 1L chemotherapy received prior to entering the trial. Among patients who stopped 1L chemotherapy prior to 6 cycles, avelumab 1L maintenance still provided an OS benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT02603432 . Research Sponsor: Pfizer Inc, Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company[Table: see text]
Identification of characteristics associated with long-term survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who received durvalumab (D) with or without tremelimumab (T) in clinical studies.
Authors: Alt Marie , Stecca Carlos , Kabadi Shaum , Kazeem Benga , Sridhar Srikala S. 
Published: March 2021

441 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have changed the landscape of mUC, yet outcomes are variable as some patients (pts) do not respond to treatment while others have a durable response. To optimally select pts who may derive benefit from ICIs, predictive factors are required. This retrospective, post-hoc analysis evaluated pt characteristics to determine differences between short and long-term survivors among pts with mUC who received D (anti–PD-L1) with or without T (anti–CTLA-4) in two clinical studies. Methods: Pts with platinum-refractory mUC who received D monotherapy in the phase I/II study 1108 (10 mg/kg Q2W, up to 12 mo) or D+T in the phase I study 10 (D at 20 mg/kg + T at 1 mg/kg Q4W for 4 mo, then D at 10 mg/kg Q2W for 12 mo) were included. Pt characteristics, tumor characteristics, radiological assessments, and biological assessments were collected. The primary outcome measure was long-term overall survival (OS). Pts were categorized as OS ≥2 yrs (from 1st dose of study drug) or OS <2 yrs. A univariate analysis was conducted on each baseline characteristic to assess independent associations with long-term OS; a multivariate logistic regression model was employed including each variable with a p-value ≤0.1 as factors or covariates. Results: A total of 367 pts with mUC were included in the analysis: 88 (24.0%) had OS ≥2 yrs (range: 2.09–4.99) and 279 (76.0%) had OS <2 yrs (range: 0.03–1.98). Pts with OS ≥2 yrs had a significantly higher objective response rates than those with OS <2 yrs (71.6% vs 5.7%; p<0.0001) and a significantly longer duration of response (median 2.3 yrs vs 0.39 yrs; p<0.0001). The characteristics included in the multivariate logistic regression model are listed in the Table. Long-term OS was significantly associated with ECOG PS, PD-L1 status, baseline hemoglobin level, and baseline absolute neutrophils count. Conclusions: Our analyses show that several characteristics, including tumor response to treatment, are associated with long-term OS for pts with mUC treated with D or D+T. Further investigation into these and other characteristics may provide additional insights into long-term survival outcomes with ICIs. [Table: see text]