| 1. |
- Ahmadi, Shahram, et al.
(author)
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Similar immune responses to alpha1-oleate and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin treatment in patients with bladder cancer
- 2024
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In: Cancer Medicine. - 2045-7634. ; 13:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The molecular content of urine is defined by filtration in the kidneys and by local release from tissues lining the urinary tract. Pathological processes and different therapies change the molecular composition of urine and a variety of markers have been analyzed in patients with bladder cancer. The response to BCG immunotherapy and chemotherapy has been extensively studied and elevated urine concentrations of IL-1RA, IFN-α, IFN-γ TNF-α, and IL-17 have been associated with improved outcome. Methods: In this study, the host response to intravesical alpha 1-oleate treatment was characterized in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer by proteomic and transcriptomic analysis. Results: Proteomic profiling detected a significant increase in multiple cytokines in the treatment group compared to placebo. The innate immune response was strongly activated, including IL-1RA and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the IL-1 family (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-33), chemokines (MIP-1α, IL-8), and interferons (IFN-α2, IFN-γ). Adaptive immune mediators included IL-12, Granzyme B, CD40, PD-L1, and IL-17D, suggesting broad effects of alpha 1-oleate treatment on the tumor tissues. Conclusions: The cytokine response profile in alpha 1-oleate treated patients was similar to that reported in BCG treated patients, suggesting a significant overlap. A reduction in protein levels at the end of treatment coincided with inhibition of cancer-related gene expression in tissue biopsies, consistent with a positive treatment effect. Thus, in addition to killing tumor cells and inducing cell detachment, alpha 1-oleate is shown to activate a broad immune response with a protective potential.
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| 2. |
- Brisuda, Antonín, et al.
(author)
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Bladder cancer therapy using a conformationally fluid tumoricidal peptide complex
- 2021
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Partially unfolded alpha-lactalbumin forms the oleic acid complex HAMLET, with potent tumoricidal activity. Here we define a peptide-based molecular approach for targeting and killing tumor cells, and evidence of its clinical potential (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03560479). A 39-residue alpha-helical peptide from alpha-lactalbumin is shown to gain lethality for tumor cells by forming oleic acid complexes (alpha1-oleate). Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and computational simulations reveal a lipid core surrounded by conformationally fluid, alpha-helical peptide motifs. In a single center, placebo controlled, double blinded Phase I/II interventional clinical trial of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, all primary end points of safety and efficacy of alpha1-oleate treatment are reached, as evaluated in an interim analysis. Intra-vesical instillations of alpha1-oleate triggers massive shedding of tumor cells and the tumor size is reduced but no drug-related side effects are detected (primary endpoints). Shed cells contain alpha1-oleate, treated tumors show evidence of apoptosis and the expression of cancer-related genes is inhibited (secondary endpoints). The results are especially encouraging for bladder cancer, where therapeutic failures and high recurrence rates create a great, unmet medical need.
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| 3. |
- D'Andrea, David, et al.
(author)
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Association of patients' sex with treatment outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy for T1G3/HG bladder cancer
- 2021
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In: World journal of urology. - : Springer Nature. - 0724-4983 .- 1433-8726. ; 39:9, s. 3337-3344
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To investigate the association of patients' sex with recurrence and disease progression in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for T1G3/HG urinary bladder cancer (UBC).Materials and methods: We analyzed the data of 2635 patients treated with adjuvant intravesical BCG for T1 UBC between 1984 and 2019. We accounted for missing data using multiple imputations and adjusted for covariate imbalance between males and females using inverse probability weighting (IPW). Crude and IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of patients' sex with HG-recurrence and disease progression.Results: A total of 2170 (82%) males and 465 (18%) females were available for analysis. Overall, 1090 (50%) males and 244 (52%) females experienced recurrence, and 391 (18%) males and 104 (22%) females experienced disease progression. On IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, female sex was associated with disease progression (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.01-1.56, p = 0.04) but not with recurrence (HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.92-1.22, p = 0.41). A total of 1056 patients were treated with adequate BCG. In these patients, on IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, patients' sex was not associated with recurrence (HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.80-1.24, p = 0.96), HG-recurrence (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.78-1.29, p = 0.99) or disease progression (HR 1.12, 95%CI 0.78-1.60, p = 0.55).Conclusion: Our analysis generates the hypothesis of a differential response to BCG between males and females if not adequately treated. Further studies should focus on sex-based differences in innate and adaptive immune system and their association with BCG response.
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| 4. |
- Gontero, Paolo, et al.
(author)
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Prognostic Factors and Risk Groups in T1G3 Non-Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Patients Initially Treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin : Results of a Retrospective Multicenter Study of 2451 Patients
- 2015
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 67:1, s. 74-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The impact of prognostic factors in T1G3 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCa) patients is critical for proper treatment decision making. Objective: To assess prognostic factors in patients who received bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) as initial intravesical treatment of T1G3 tumors and to identify a subgroup of high-risk patients who should be considered for more aggressive treatment. Design, setting, and participants: Individual patient data were collected for 2451 T1G3 patients from 23 centers who received BCG between 1990 and 2011. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Using Cox multivariable regression, the prognostic importance of several clinical variables was assessed for time to recurrence, progression, BCa-specific survival, and overall survival (OS). Results and limitations: With a median follow-up of 5.2 yr, 465 patients (19%) progressed, 509 (21%) underwent cystectomy, and 221 (9%) died because of BCa. In multivariable analyses, the most important prognostic factors for progression were age, tumor size, and concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS); the most important prognostic factors for BCa-specific survival and OS were age and tumor size. Patients were divided into four risk groups for progression according to the number of adverse factors among age >= 70 yr, size >= 3 cm, and presence of CIS. Progression rates at 10 yr ranged from 17% to 52%. BCa-specific death rates at 10 yr were 32% in patients >= 70 yr with tumor size >= 3 cm and 13% otherwise. Conclusions: T1G3 patients >= 70 yr with tumors >= 3 cm and concomitant CIS should be treated more aggressively because of the high risk of progression. Patient summary: Although the majority of T1G3 patients can be safely treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin, there is a subgroup of T1G3 patients with age >= 70 yr, tumor size >= 3 cm, and concomitant CIS who have a high risk of progression and thus require aggressive treatment.
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| 5. |
- Gontero, Paolo, et al.
(author)
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The impact of re-transurethral resection on clinical outcomes in a large multicentre cohort of patients with T1 high-grade/Grade 3 bladder cancer treated with bacille Calmette-Guérin
- 2016
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In: BJU International. - : Wiley. - 1464-4096 .- 1464-410X. ; 118:1, s. 44-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To determine if a re-transurethral resection (TUR), in the presence or absence of muscle at the first TUR in patients with T1-high grade (HG)/Grade 3 (G3) bladder cancer, makes a difference in recurrence, progression, cancer specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS).PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a large retrospective multicentre cohort of 2451 patients with T1-HG/G3 initially treated with bacille Calmette-Guérin, 935 (38%) had a re-TUR. According to the presence or absence of muscle in the specimen of the primary TUR, patients were divided in four groups: group 1 (no muscle, no re-TUR), group 2 (no muscle, re-TUR), group 3 (muscle, no re-TUR) and group 4 (muscle, re-TUR). Clinical outcomes were compared across the four groups.RESULTS: Re-TUR had a positive impact on recurrence, progression, CSS and OS only if muscle was not present in the primary TUR specimen. Adjusting for the most important prognostic factors, re-TUR in the absence of muscle had a borderline significant effect on time to recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 0.67, P = 0.08], progression (HR 0.46, P = 0.06), CSS (HR 0.31, P = 0.07) and OS (HR 0.48, P = 0.05). Re-TUR in the presence of muscle in the primary TUR specimen did not improve the outcome for any of the endpoints.CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective analysis suggests that re-TUR may not be necessary in patients with T1-HG/G3, if muscle is present in the specimen of the primary TUR.
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| 6. |
- Hien, Tran Thi, et al.
(author)
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Bladder cancer therapy without toxicity—A dose-escalation study of alpha1-oleate
- 2020
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In: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 147:9, s. 2479-2492
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Potent chemotherapeutic agents are required to counteract the aggressive behavior of cancer cells and patients often experience severe side effects, due to tissue toxicity. Our study addresses if a better balance between efficacy and toxicity can be attained using the tumoricidal complex alpha1-oleate, formed by a synthetic, alpha-helical peptide comprising the N-terminal 39 amino acids of alpha-lactalbumin and the fatty acid oleic acid. Bladder cancer was established, by intravesical instillation of MB49 cells on day 0 and the treatment group received five instillations of alpha1-oleate (1.7-17 mM) on days 3 to 11. A dose-dependent reduction in tumor size, bladder size and bladder weight was recorded in the alpha1-oleate treated group, compared to sham-treated mice. Tumor markers Ki-67, Cyclin D1 and VEGF were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, as was the expression of cancer-related genes. Remarkably, toxicity for healthy tissue was not detected in alpha1-oleate-treated, tumor-bearing mice or healthy mice or rabbits, challenged with increasing doses of the active complex. The results define a dose-dependent therapeutic effect of alpha1-oleate in a murine bladder cancer model.
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| 7. |
- Hien, Tran Thi, et al.
(author)
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Long-term prevention of bladder cancer progression by alpha1-oleate alone or in combination with chemotherapy
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 153:3, s. 584-599
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bladder cancer is common and one of the most costly cancer forms, due to a lack of curative therapies. Recently, clinical safety and efficacy of the alpha1-oleate complex was demonstrated in a placebo-controlled study of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Our study investigated if long-term therapeutic efficacy is improved by repeated treatment cycles and by combining alpha1-oleate with low-dose chemotherapy. Rapidly growing bladder tumors were treated by intravesical instillation of alpha1-oleate, Epirubicin or Mitomycin C alone or in combination. One treatment cycle arrested tumor growth, with a protective effect lasting at least 4 weeks in mice receiving 8.5 mM of alpha1-oleate alone or 1.7 mM of alpha-oleate combined with Epirubicin or Mitomycin C. Repeated treatment cycles extended protection, defined by a lack of bladder pathology and a virtual absence of bladder cancer-specific gene expression. Synergy with Epirubicin was detected at the lower alpha1-oleate concentration and in vitro, alpha1-oleate was shown to enhance the uptake and nuclear translocation of Epirubicin, by tumor cells. Effects at the chromatin level affecting cell proliferation were further suggested by reduced BrdU incorporation. In addition, alpha1-oleate triggered DNA fragmentation, defined by the TUNEL assay. The results suggest that bladder cancer development may be prevented long-term in the murine model, by alpha1-oleate alone or in combination with low-dose Epirubicin. In addition, the combination of alpha1-oleate and Epirubicin reduced the size of established tumors. Exploring these potent preventive and therapeutic effects will be of immediate interest in patients with bladder cancer.
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| 8. |
- Ho, James C.S., et al.
(author)
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A scientific journey from discovery to validation of efficacy in cancer patients : HAMLET and alpha1-oleate
- 2021
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In: Molecular and Cellular Oncology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2372-3556. ; 8:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The protein-lipid complex alpha1-oleate, derived from HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells), is identified as a molecular entity with significant therapeutic potential. Structural characterization of the complex and results of a successful placebo-controlled clinical trial are presented.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Witjes, J. Alfred, et al.
(author)
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EAU-ESMO Consensus Statements on the Management of Advanced and Variant Bladder Cancer – An International Collaborative Multistakeholder Effort : Under the Auspices of the EAU-ESMO Guidelines Committees
- 2020
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 77:2, s. 223-250
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Although guidelines exist for advanced and variant bladder cancer management, evidence is limited/conflicting in some areas and the optimal approach remains controversial.OBJECTIVE: To bring together a large multidisciplinary group of experts to develop consensus statements on controversial topics in bladder cancer management.DESIGN: A steering committee compiled proposed statements regarding advanced and variant bladder cancer management which were assessed by 113 experts in a Delphi survey. Statements not reaching consensus were reviewed; those prioritised were revised by a panel of 45 experts prior to voting during a consensus conference.SETTING: Online Delphi survey and consensus conference.PARTICIPANTS: The European Association of Urology (EAU), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), experts in bladder cancer management.OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statements were ranked by experts according to their level of agreement: 1-3 (disagree), 4-6 (equivocal), and 7-9 (agree). A priori (level 1) consensus was defined as ≥70% agreement and ≤15% disagreement, or vice versa. In the Delphi survey, a second analysis was restricted to stakeholder group(s) considered to have adequate expertise relating to each statement (to achieve level 2 consensus).RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 116 statements were included in the Delphi survey. Of these statements, 33 (28%) achieved level 1 consensus and 49 (42%) achieved level 1 or 2 consensus. At the consensus conference, 22 of 27 (81%) statements achieved consensus. These consensus statements provide further guidance across a broad range of topics, including the management of variant histologies, the role/limitations of prognostic biomarkers in clinical decision making, bladder preservation strategies, modern radiotherapy techniques, the management of oligometastatic disease, and the evolving role of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in metastatic disease.CONCLUSIONS: These consensus statements provide further guidance on controversial topics in advanced and variant bladder cancer management until a time when further evidence is available to guide our approach.PATIENT SUMMARY: This report summarises findings from an international, multistakeholder project organised by the EAU and ESMO. In this project, a steering committee identified areas of bladder cancer management where there is currently no good-quality evidence to guide treatment decisions. From this, they developed a series of proposed statements, 71 of which achieved consensus by a large group of experts in the field of bladder cancer. It is anticipated that these statements will provide further guidance to health care professionals and could help improve patient outcomes until a time when good-quality evidence is available.
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| 12. |
- Witjes, J Alfred, et al.
(author)
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The efficacy of BCG TICE and BCG Connaught in a cohort of 2,099 patients with T1G3 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
- 2016
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In: Urologic Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-1439 .- 1873-2496. ; 34:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Potential differences in efficacy of different bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strains are of importance for daily practice, especially in the era of BCG shortage.OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare the outcome with BCG Connaught and BCG TICE in a large study cohort of pT1 high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Individual patient data were collected for 2,451 patients with primary T1G3 tumors from 23 centers who were treated with BCG for the first time between 1990 and 2011.OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Using Cox multivariable regression and adjusting for the most important prognostic factors in this nonrandomized comparison, BCG Connaught and TICE were compared for time to recurrence, progression, and the duration of cancer specific survival and overall survival.RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Information on the BCG strain was available for 2,099 patients: 957 on Connaught and 1,142 on TICE. Overall, 765 (36%) patients received some form of maintenance BCG, 560 (59%) on Connaught and 205 (18%) on TICE. Without maintenance, Connaught was more effective than TICE only for the time to first recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.20-1.82; P<0.001). With maintenance, TICE was more effective than Connaught for the time to first recurrence (HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.93; P = 0.019) with a trend for cancer specific survival (HR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.14-0.92; P = 0.033). For time to progression and overall survival, Connaught and TICE had a similar efficacy. Compared to no maintenance therapy, maintenance BCG significantly reduced the risk of recurrence, progression and death, both overall, and disease specific, for TICE, but not for Connaught.CONCLUSIONS: We found that BCG Connaught results in a lower recurrence rate as compared with BCG TICE when no maintenance is used. However, the opposite is true when maintenance is given.PATIENT SUMMARY: As there is currently a BCG shortage, information on the efficacy of different BCG strains is important. In this nonrandomized retrospective comparison in over 2,000 patients, we found that BCG Connaught reduces the recurrence rate compared to BCG TICE when no maintenance is used, but the opposite is true when maintenance is given.
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