RECENT FINDINGS: We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to evaluate the impact of inguinal and pelvic LND on the oncological outcomes of PUC and to identify indications for this procedure.
RESULTS: Three studies met the inclusion criteria. The cancer detection rate in clinically nonpalpable inguinal lymph node (cN0) was 9% in men and 25% in women. In clinically palpable lymph node (cN+), the malignancy rate was 84% and 50% in men and women, respectively. Overall cancer detection rate in pelvic lymph nodes in patients with cN0 was 29%. Based on tumor stage, the detection rate was 11% in cT1-2 N0 and 37% in cT3-4 N0. Nodal disease was associated with higher recurrence and worse survival. Pelvic LND seems to improve overall survival for patients with LND regardless of the location or stage of lymph nodes. Inguinal LND improved overall survival only in patients with palpable lymph nodes. Inguinal LND had no survival benefit in patients with nonpalpable lymph nodes.
SUMMARY: The available, albeit scarce, data suggest that inguinal LND derives the highest benefit in women and in patients with palpable inguinal nodes, whereas the benefit of pelvic LND seems to be more pronounced across all stages of invasive PUC. Prospective studies are urgently needed to further address the prognostic benefit of locoregional LND in PUC.
OBJECTIVES: To provide a systematic review of the novel intravesically administered therapeutic agents for the salvage treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC.
METHODS: Online search of the PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases was performed. The endpoints of this review were to evaluate the efficacy of the agents in terms of complete response rates (CR) and durability of CR, overall survival, recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival and to report on their toxicity profile. A search on Clinicaltrials.gov was performed to identify ongoing clinical trials.
RESULTS: 14 studies were included in this review. The critical clinical need for the development of an effective, safe and durable intravesical drug for the salvage treatment of high-risk NMIBC seems to be met mainly by intravesical gene therapy; in fact, data support the FDA-approved nadofaragene firadenovec as a potentially important therapeutic advancement in this context. Promising results are also being obtained by the combination of N-803/BCG and by innovative drug delivery systems.
CONCLUSIONS: Considering the plethora of novel intravesical treatments that have completed phase II evaluation, one can reasonably expect that clinicians will soon have at their disposal new agents and treatment options for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. In the near future, it will be up to the urologist to identify, for each specific patient, the right agent to use, based on safety, results and cost-effectiveness.