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Biomarkers for Detection and Prognosis in Urologic Oncology

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A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 6067

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Cristian I. Surcel

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Guest Editor

Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: uro-oncology; robotic urology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urological tumors account for approximately 25% of all human cancers [1]. One of the biggest challenges in clinical practice is to determine the best therapeutic decision for each case, thus avoiding unnecessary interventions. As part of emerging efforts to improve both detection and management decision making, a number of new biomarkers have recently been developed, largely through advancements in imaging and genomic technologies.

In this Special Issue of “Biomarkers for Detection and Prognosis of Urological Cancers”, we invite investigators to contribute with original research or review articles focusing on the role of biomarkers—either molecular, imaging or genetic—that can be used for the diagnosis and monitoring of urological cancers and can help clinicians to provide a more targeted treatment for each patient in the era of precision oncology.

Dr. Cristian I. Surcel
Guest Editor

Reference

[1]. Babjuk M., Böhle A., Burger M., Capoun O., Cohen D., Compérat E.M., Hernández V., Kaasinen E., Palou J., Rouprêt M. et al. EAU Guidelines on Non-Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder. Uptdate 2016. Eur. Urol. 2017; 71:447–461. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.05.041.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

uro-oncology: renal cancer, prostate cancer, urothelial cancer, testis cancer, penile cancer
biomarkers
detection
management
treatment response
genomic
urine test
serum test
pathology
prostate-specific antigen
mpMRI
PSMA
miRNA

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) and VEGFR2 Receptor as Prognostic Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer

by Meryem El Azzouzi, Hajar El Ahanidi, Chaimae Hafidi Alaoui, Imane Chaoui, Laila Benbacer, Mohammed Tetou, Ilias Hassan, Mounia Bensaid, Mohamed Oukabli, Ahmed Ameur, Abderrahmane Al Bouzidi, Mohammed Attaleb and Mohammed El Mzibri

Diagnostics 2023, 13(8), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13081471 - 19 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1299

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) are the most important tissue factors involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the promoter mutational status of VEGFA and the expression levels of VEGFA, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 in bladder cancer (BC) tissues and to correlate the results with the clinical–pathological parameters of BC patients. A total of 70 BC patients were recruited at the Urology Department of the Mohammed V Military Training Hospital in Rabat, Morocco. Sanger sequencing was performed to investigate the mutational status of VEGFA, and RT-QPCR was used to evaluate the expression levels of VEGFA, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2. Sequencing of the VEGFA gene promoter revealed the presence of −460T/C, −2578C/A, and −2549I/D polymorphisms, and statistical analyses showed a significant correlation between −460T/C SNP and smoking (p = 0.02). VEGFA and VEGFR2 expressions were significantly up-regulated in patients with NMIBC (p = 0.003) and MIBC (p = 0.03), respectively. Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that patients with high VEGFA expression had significantly longer disease-free survival (p = 0.014) and overall survival (p = 0.009). This study was very informative, showing the implication of VEGF alterations in BC, suggesting that VEGFA and VEGFR2 expressions could be promising biomarkers for the better management of BC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers for Detection and Prognosis in Urologic Oncology)

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20 pages, 21277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of the Prognostic Biomarkers CBX6 and CBX7 in Bladder Cancer

by Xinxin Li, Lili Li, Xi Xiong, Qihui Kuang, Min Peng, Kai Zhu and Pengcheng Luo

Diagnostics 2023, 13(8), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13081393 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1674

Abstract

Background: Chromobox (CBX) proteins are essential components of polycomb group proteins and perform essential functions in bladder cancer (BLCA). However, research on CBX proteins is still limited, and the function of CBXs in BLCA has not been well illustrated. Methods and Results: We analyzed the expression of CBX family members in BLCA patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. By Cox regression analysis and survival analysis, CBX6 and CBX7 were identified as potential prognostic factors. Subsequently, we identified genes associated with CBX6/7 and performed enrichment analysis, and they were enriched in urothelial carcinoma and transitional carcinoma. Mutation rates of TP53 and TTN correlate with expression of CBX6/7. In addition, differential analysis indicated that the roles played by CBX6 and CBX7 may be related to immune checkpoints. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to screen out immune cells that play a role in the prognosis of bladder cancer patients. Multiplex immunohistochemistry staining confirmed a negative correlation between CBX6 and M1 macrophages, as well as a consistent alteration in CBX6 and regulatory T cells (Tregs), a positive correlation between CBX7 and resting mast cells, and a negative correlation between CBX7 and M0 macrophages. Conclusions: CBX6 and CBX7 expression levels may assist in predicting the prognosis of BLCA patients. CBX6 may contribute to a poor prognosis in patients by inhibiting M1 polarization and promoting Treg recruitment in the tumor microenvironment, while CBX7 may contribute to a better prognosis in patients by increasing resting mast cell numbers and decreasing macrophage M0 content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers for Detection and Prognosis in Urologic Oncology)

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9 pages, 1028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges in Diagnosis of Uretero–Arterial Fistulas after Complex Pelvic Oncological Procedures—Single Center Experience and Review of the Literature

by Cristian Surcel, Cristian Mirvald, Robert Stoica, Vasile Cerempei, Isabel Heidegger, Apostolos Labanaris, Igor Tsaur, Catalin Baston and Ioanel Sinescu

Diagnostics 2022, 12(8), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12081832 - 29 Jul 2022

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Abstract

Introduction: Uretero–arterial fistula (UAF) represents a rare condition that manifests as massive or intermittent hematuria and requires collaboration between a urologist, vascular surgeon and interventional radiologist. In this article, we present our experience with UAF diagnosis, treatment pathways and the results of a nonsystematic review of the literature published in the last decade regarding modern diagnostic procedures. Material and method: We analyzed the clinical data of nine consecutive patients from our institution diagnosed with UAF in the interval of 2012–2022 who underwent open or endovascular surgical treatment. We reviewed patient characteristics, diagnoses and treatment pathways. The literature search resulted in 14 case series, published from 2012 to 2022, describing a total of 670 cases of UAF. Results: The mean age of patients in our cohort was 65.3 years (IQR: 51–79). UAFs were more common in women (77.7%). All patients presented a history of surgical intervention and ir-radiation for pelvic malignancy with permanent ureteric stenting. Overall, 88.8% of patients had urinary diversion, either via ileal conduit or cutaneous ureterostomy. The most common clinical manifestation of UAF was gross hematuria with or without clots accompanied by flank pain due to stent obstruction, while three patients presented with hypovolemic shock. Angiography represents the best option for diagnosis, followed by angioCT, with a sensitivity of 59.83% and 47.01%, respectively. There is no definitive imaging modality associated with high accuracy in detecting UAF and negative findings do not exclude the disease. In emergency cases with massive bleeding, surgical exploration remains the most appropriate management option for both diagnosis and treatment. Endovascular stent graft placement is preferred over open surgery in stable hemodynamic patients. Conclusions: Uretero–arterial fistulas represent a life-threatening complication and must be treated with great awareness. Angiography represents the best modality for diagnosis, followed by computed tomography. However, there is no definitive imaging modality and, in some cases, open approach remains the only option for diagnosis and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers for Detection and Prognosis in Urologic Oncology)

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Review

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16 pages, 1202 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of the Cardiac Biomarkers in the Renal Cell Carcinoma Multidisciplinary Management

by Anca Drăgan and Ioanel Sinescu

Diagnostics 2023, 13(11), 1912; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13111912 - 30 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1303

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma, an aggressive malignancy, is often incidentally diagnosed. The patient remains asymptomatic to the late stage of the disease, when the local or distant metastases are already present. Surgical treatment remains the choice for these patients, although the plan must adapt to the characteristics of the patients and the extension of the neoplasm. Systemic therapy is sometimes needed. It includes immunotherapy, target therapy, or both, with a high level of toxicity. Cardiac biomarkers have prognosis and monitoring values in this setting. Their role in postoperative identification of myocardial injury and heart failure already have been demonstrated, as well as their importance in preoperative evaluation from the cardiac point of view and the progression of renal cancer. The cardiac biomarkers are also part of the new cardio-oncologic approach to establishing and monitoring systemic therapy. They are complementary tests for assessment of the baseline toxicity risk and tools to guide therapy. The goal must be to continue the treatment as long as possible with the initiation and optimisation of the cardiological treatment. Cardiac atrial biomarkers are reported to have also antitumoral and anti-inflammatory properties. This review aims to present the role of cardiac biomarkers in the multidisciplinary management of renal cell carcinoma patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers for Detection and Prognosis in Urologic Oncology)

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