S9-Fibronectin, EGF-R, HB-EGF:biomarkers of urothelial damage during intravesical adjuvant therapy?

Intravesical chemotherapy and immunotherapy with BCG represent the standard therapy to prevent recurrence after transurethral resection (TUR) of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMI-BC). Maintenance for at least one year is considered the best regimen. Noteworthy, a relevant number of patients do not complete the planned treatment due to local toxicity of the drug given intravesically1, 2. A major challenge for the urologists is to identify an early urothelial damage biomarker to prevent severe local toxicity requiring treatment interruption and to improve patient's compliance. The preliminary purpose of our research was to verify the possible correlation between urothelial damage induce…

Studio pilota sul valore predittivo dei livelli plasmatici di 9 fattori angiogenetici nella selezione di pazienti candidati alla biopsia prostatica

To reduce the number of negative prostate biopsies in patients with elevated PSA serum levels represents a major challenge in urological oncology. Angiogenetic factors might be involved in initial stages of prostate cancer and might represent useful tools in patients' selection for prostate biopsy. The plasmatic levels of Angiopoietin-2, Follistatin, G-CSF, HGF, IL-8, Leptin, PDGF-BB, PECAM-1 and VEGF were measured by BioPlex immunoassay in patients undergoing prostate biopsy for palpable prostate nodule and/or elevated PSA levels (≥4 ng/mL). They were related with biopsy results. ROC curve analysis was exploited to test the diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker by AUC calculation. A potent…

Fibronectin (FN), Epidermal Growth Factor-Receptor (EGF-R) and Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Growth Factor (HB-EGF) expressions in relation to toxicity of adjuvant intravesical therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Varicocele ed Infertilità

BIOMARKERS OF UROTHELIAL DAMAGE IN PATIENTS TREATED BY ADJUVANT INTRAVESICAL THERAPY

Introduction/Aim: Chemotherapy or BCG given intravesically to prevent recurrence after transurethral resection (TUR) of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMI-BC) cause frequent, sometime severe, local toxicity. As a consequence, many patients do not complete the planned treatment (1). A major challenge for the urologists is to identify an early biomarker of urothelial damage to recognize and prevent local toxicity improving patient’s compliance. The purpose of our research was to investigate the relation between urothelial injury by intravesical treatment and the expression of potential biomarkers in urine and/or in barbotage solution. The urinary HB-EGF expression in interstitial cystiti…

COMPLIANCE WITH ONE YEAR MAINTENANCE INTRAVESICAL BCG IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY T1G3 BLADDER CANCER

Introduction: BCG maintenance for at least one year is the best regimen for prevention of recurrence and progression in high risk non muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), undergoing conservative approach. Noteworthy, a relevant number of patients do not complete the planned treatment interruption. Study aim was to analyze retrospectively the reasons of treatment. Patients and Methods: Consecutive patients affected by T1G3 BC, undergoing BCG maintenance for one year, according to the SWOG schedule (3 weekly instillations at 3, 6, 12 months) were included in this study. Connaught BCG (81 mg/50 ml) was given starting 1430 days after TUR. If toxicity occurred, treatment was postponed up to t…

PRELIMINARY DATA ON PSA CHANGES DURING INTRAVESICAL THERAPY FOR NON-MUSCLE INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER

Introduction/Aim: Many factors can cause an increase of PSA independently from the presence of prostate cancer . The objective was to evaluate the fluctuation of the serum levels of PSA during adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy. An increase of PSA due to intravesical BCG and up to 3 months later has been reported (1). Patients and Methods: Patients treated with intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy for non- muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) were entered in the study. Serum samples were collected before starting intravesical therapy, during therapy (within 3rd and 6th instillation) and 30 days after the end of the 6-week induction regimen and during maintenance reg…