Methods for Establishing a Renal Cell Carcinoma Tumor Spheroid Model With Immune Infiltration for Immunotherapeutic Studies

Tumor spheroids play an increasingly important role in cancer research. Their ability to recapitulate crucial features of tumor biology that are lost in the classically used 2D models along with their relative simplicity and handiness have made them the most studied 3D tumor model. Their application as a theranostic tool or as a means to study tumor-host interaction is now well-established in various cancers. However, their use in the field of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) remains very limited. The aim of this work is to present methods to implement a basic RCC spheroid model. These methods cover the steps from RCC tumor dissociation to spheroid infiltration by immune cells. We present a protocol for RCC dissociation using Liberase TM and introduce a culture medium containing Epithelial Growth Factor and Hydrocortisone allowing for faster growth of RCC primary cells. We show that the liquid overlay technique allows for the formation of spheroids from cell lines and from primary cultures. We present a method using morphological criteria to select a homogeneous spheroid population based on a Fiji macro. We then show that spheroids can be infiltrated by PBMCs after activation with OKT3 or IL-15. Finally, we provide an example of application by implementing an immune spheroid killing assay allowing observing increased spheroid destruction after treatment with PD-1 inhibitors. Thus the straightforward methods presented here allow for efficient spheroid formation for a simple RCC 3D model that can be standardized and infused with immune cells to study immunotherapies

Polymorphismes des gènes associés à l’inflammation et microenvironnement tumoral lymphocytaire CD8+ : valeur pronostique dans les carcinomes urothéliaux de la vessie.

The aim of this study was to explore prognostic value for bladder cancer of germline polymorphisms in inflammatory genes and tumor CD8+ lymphocytic microenvironment. For constitutional markers, two approaches were conducted jointly: one genome-based using specific GWAS statistical methods, the other gene-based focusing on PDL1, an inflammatory gene implicated in immune checkpoints. At the genome level, using both standard and innovative statistical methods (multi marker methods Bayesian Lasso and Bayes A) we demonstrated that variants (SNPs) in TNIP1, CD5 and JAK3 were associated with the risk of recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) while SNPs in MASP1, AIRE and CD3 were associated with risk of progression. Meanwhile, association between PDL1 and prognosis of NMIBC and muscle invasive BC (MIBC) was explored using classical SNPS by SNP investigations and a gene based approach. We identified a very strong association between PDL1 variants and MIBC prognosis in a large prospective cohort but failed replicating those results in the TCGA consortium series.In non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, we developed and evaluated a standardized counting approach of CD8+ cells, T-cytotoxic lymphocytes implicated in tumor cells death. Morphometric analysis after double immuno-staining of tumor cells and digitalization allowed separate estimation of CD8+ cells in the tumor and stroma compartment and estimation of spatial intra tumoral heterogeneity. We demonstrated that this heterogeneity compromised CD8+ estimation on Tissue Micro Arrays, which sample the tumors in a restrictive manner. Keeping those limitations in mind, we identified an association between CD8+ inflammatory infiltrate and both NMIBC stage and T1 tumours risk of recurrence. In the future, germline variation in inflammatory genes and evaluation of tumor inflammatory infiltrate could be integrated for better prediction of bladder cancer prognosis.L’objectif du travail a été d’explorer la valeur pronostique pour les tumeurs de la vessie des polymorphismes de gènes associés à l’inflammation et du microenvironnement tumoral lymphocytaire CD8+. Pour les marqueurs constitutionnels, deux approches ont été conduites concomitamment, l’une explorant de façon globale les gènes associés à l’inflammation, l’autre ciblant un gène inflammatoire d’intérêt, PDL1, impliqué dans des points de contrôles immunologiques. A l’échelle du génome, en utilisant des méthodes statistiques soit classiques soit innovantes (dites multi marqueurs), nous avons démontré que les variants (SNP) dans les gènes TNIP1, CD5 et JAK3 étaient associés au risque de récidive des tumeurs de vessie non invasives du muscle alors que les variants dans les gènes MASP1, AIRE et CD3 étaient associés au risque de progression. Dans un deuxième temps, l’association entre variants dans le gène de PDL1 et pronostic des tumeurs de vessie a été explorée en appliquant une méthode classique « SNP par SNP » et une approche à l’échelle du gène. Nous avons identifié une forte association entre des variants de PDL1 et le pronostic de tumeurs de vessie envahissant le muscle dans une large cohorte prospective, mais sans pouvoir répliquer ce résultat dans une série issue du consortium TCGA.Dans les tumeurs n’envahissant pas le muscle, nous avons développé et évalué une méthode d’évaluation standardisée de l’infiltrat lymphocytaire CD8+, cellules T-cytotoxiques impliquées dans la mort des cellules tumorales. L’analyse morphométrique après double immuno-marquage des cellules tumorales et des lymphocytes CD8+ et numérisation a permis d’estimer de façon séparée le compte des cellules inflammatoires dans la tumeur et le stroma, et d’estimer l’hétérogénéité spatiale intra-tumorale. Nous avons montré que cette hétérogénéité limite les estimations de l’infiltrat CD8+ sur les puces tissulaires (Tissue Micro Array) qui échantillonnent les tumeurs de façon restrictive. Sous cette réserve, nous avons identifié dans les tumeurs n’envahissant pas le muscle une association entre l’infiltrat lymphocytaire CD8+ et le stade tumoral Ta/T1, ainsi qu’avec le risque de récidive des tumeurs T1. A l’avenir, variations génétiques constitutionnelles dans les gènes de l’inflammation et évaluation de l’infiltrat tumoral inflammatoire pourraient être intégrées en vue d’améliorer la prédiction du pronostic des tumeurs vésicales

Germline variation in inflammatory genes and CD8+ tumor microenvironment : prognostic value in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

L’objectif du travail a été d’explorer la valeur pronostique pour les tumeurs de la vessie des polymorphismes de gènes associés à l’inflammation et du microenvironnement tumoral lymphocytaire CD8+. Pour les marqueurs constitutionnels, deux approches ont été conduites concomitamment, l’une explorant de façon globale les gènes associés à l’inflammation, l’autre ciblant un gène inflammatoire d’intérêt, PDL1, impliqué dans des points de contrôles immunologiques. A l’échelle du génome, en utilisant des méthodes statistiques soit classiques soit innovantes (dites multi marqueurs), nous avons démontré que les variants (SNP) dans les gènes TNIP1, CD5 et JAK3 étaient associés au risque de récidive des tumeurs de vessie non invasives du muscle alors que les variants dans les gènes MASP1, AIRE et CD3 étaient associés au risque de progression. Dans un deuxième temps, l’association entre variants dans le gène de PDL1 et pronostic des tumeurs de vessie a été explorée en appliquant une méthode classique « SNP par SNP » et une approche à l’échelle du gène. Nous avons identifié une forte association entre des variants de PDL1 et le pronostic de tumeurs de vessie envahissant le muscle dans une large cohorte prospective, mais sans pouvoir répliquer ce résultat dans une série issue du consortium TCGA.Dans les tumeurs n’envahissant pas le muscle, nous avons développé et évalué une méthode d’évaluation standardisée de l’infiltrat lymphocytaire CD8+, cellules T-cytotoxiques impliquées dans la mort des cellules tumorales. L’analyse morphométrique après double immuno-marquage des cellules tumorales et des lymphocytes CD8+ et numérisation a permis d’estimer de façon séparée le compte des cellules inflammatoires dans la tumeur et le stroma, et d’estimer l’hétérogénéité spatiale intra-tumorale. Nous avons montré que cette hétérogénéité limite les estimations de l’infiltrat CD8+ sur les puces tissulaires (Tissue Micro Array) qui échantillonnent les tumeurs de façon restrictive. Sous cette réserve, nous avons identifié dans les tumeurs n’envahissant pas le muscle une association entre l’infiltrat lymphocytaire CD8+ et le stade tumoral Ta/T1, ainsi qu’avec le risque de récidive des tumeurs T1. A l’avenir, variations génétiques constitutionnelles dans les gènes de l’inflammation et évaluation de l’infiltrat tumoral inflammatoire pourraient être intégrées en vue d’améliorer la prédiction du pronostic des tumeurs vésicales.The aim of this study was to explore prognostic value for bladder cancer of germline polymorphisms in inflammatory genes and tumor CD8+ lymphocytic microenvironment. For constitutional markers, two approaches were conducted jointly: one genome-based using specific GWAS statistical methods, the other gene-based focusing on PDL1, an inflammatory gene implicated in immune checkpoints. At the genome level, using both standard and innovative statistical methods (multi marker methods Bayesian Lasso and Bayes A) we demonstrated that variants (SNPs) in TNIP1, CD5 and JAK3 were associated with the risk of recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) while SNPs in MASP1, AIRE and CD3 were associated with risk of progression. Meanwhile, association between PDL1 and prognosis of NMIBC and muscle invasive BC (MIBC) was explored using classical SNPS by SNP investigations and a gene based approach. We identified a very strong association between PDL1 variants and MIBC prognosis in a large prospective cohort but failed replicating those results in the TCGA consortium series.In non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, we developed and evaluated a standardized counting approach of CD8+ cells, T-cytotoxic lymphocytes implicated in tumor cells death. Morphometric analysis after double immuno-staining of tumor cells and digitalization allowed separate estimation of CD8+ cells in the tumor and stroma compartment and estimation of spatial intra tumoral heterogeneity. We demonstrated that this heterogeneity compromised CD8+ estimation on Tissue Micro Arrays, which sample the tumors in a restrictive manner. Keeping those limitations in mind, we identified an association between CD8+ inflammatory infiltrate and both NMIBC stage and T1 tumours risk of recurrence. In the future, germline variation in inflammatory genes and evaluation of tumor inflammatory infiltrate could be integrated for better prediction of bladder cancer prognosis

Predictive factors for final pathologic ureteral sections on 700 radical cystectomy specimens: Implications for intraoperative frozen section decision-making

International audiencePurpose: To identify preoperative predictive factors for final ureteral section invasion after radical cystectomy (RC) and to validate significant factors on an external independent cohort. Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of all consecutive RC performed for bladder cancer in 2 high-volume institutions. Clinical, pathological, and follow-up data were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Pathological evaluation was performed by 2 well-trained uropathologists in each center. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for final ureteral sections involvement. Significant factors in cohort A were validated in cohort B. Receiver operating curve and area under curve were modeled to evaluate predictive accuracy of the markers. Results: A total of 441 RC were performed in center A and 307 RC were performed in center B. Mean follow-ups were 36.2 and 38.1 months, respectively. Invasion of the final ureteral section was observed on 5.5% of patients in cohort A and 4.8% of patients in cohort B. In cohort A, multivariable logistic regression identified preoperative hydronephrosis on computed tomography scan (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9, P = 0.004) and presence of Carcinoma in situ (CIS, OR = 3.9, P = 0.01) as the only factors associated with ureteral sections positivity. In cohort B, hydronephrosis and CIS were both associated with ureteral sections positivity in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, only hydronephrosis remained significant (OR = 5.9, P = 0.01). Predictive accuracy of hydronephrosis and CIS combined in 1 variable was 0.72. Conclusion: Hydronephrosis and bladder CIS have good accuracy in predicting ureteral sections positivity after RC. In the presence of those factors, ureteral frozen sections should be performed. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Development of immunotherapy in bladder cancer: present and future on targeting PD(L)1 and CTLA-4 pathways

International audiencePURPOSE:Over the past 3 decades, no major treatment breakthrough has been reported for advanced bladder cancer. Recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of five immune checkpoint inhibitors in the management of advanced bladder cancer represent new therapeutic opportunities. This review examines the available data of the clinical trials leading to the approval of ICIs in the management of metastatic bladder cancer and the ongoing trials in advanced and localized settings.METHODS:A literature search was performed on PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov combining the MeSH terms: 'urothelial carcinoma' OR 'bladder cancer', and 'immunotherapy' OR 'CTLA-4' OR 'PD-1' OR 'PD-L1' OR 'atezolizumab' OR 'nivolumab' OR 'ipilimumab' OR 'pembrolizumab' OR 'avelumab' OR 'durvalumab' OR 'tremelimumab'. Prospectives studies evaluating anti-PD(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies were included.RESULTS:Evidence-data related to early phase and phase III trials evaluating the 5 ICIs in the advanced urothelial carcinoma are detailed in this review. Anti-tumour activity of the 5 ICIs supporting the FDA approval in the second-line setting are reported. The activity of PD(L)1 inhibitors in the first-line setting in cisplatin-ineligible patients are also presented. Ongoing trials in earlier disease-states including non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder cancer are discussed.CONCLUSIONS:Blocking the PD-1 negative immune receptor or its ligand, PD-L1, results in unprecedented rates of anti-tumour activity in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer. However, a large majority of patients do not respond to anti-PD(L)1 drugs monotherapy. Investigations exploring the potential value of predictive biomarkers, optimal combination and sequences are ongoing to improve such treatment strategies

Fosfomycin-trometamol (FT) or fluoroquinolone (FQ) as single-dose prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-PB): A prospective cohort study

International audienceObjectives: The increasing incidence of fluoroquinolones (FQ) resistance may lower its efficacy in preventing UTI following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-PB). We assessed the efficacy and safety of FQ and fosfomycin-trometamol (FT) in patients undergoing TRUS-PB.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted between April 2017 and June 2019 and enrolled men undergoing TRUS-PB and receiving a single-dose of FQ (FQ-arm) or FT (FT-arm) for UTI prophylaxis per physician's choice. The primary efficacy endpoint was self-reported TRUS-PB UTI. We assessed baseline factors associated with UTI with logistic regression.Results: A total of 222 men were enrolled, 141/222 (64%) received FQ, and 81/222 (36%) FT. The median age was 67.6 years [IQR, 61.4-72.1] and the Charlson score was 3 [IQR, 3-5]. The overall incidence of self-reported TRUS-PB UTI was 12% (24/197, (95%CI, 8%-17%)): 15% (17/116, (95% CI, 10%-17%)) in FQ-arm, versus 9% (7/81, 95% CI (5%-13%)) in FT-arm (RR = 0.55 (95% CI, 0.22-1.40), p-value = 0.209). No baseline characteristic was significantly associated with TRUS-PB UTI. Safety was similar between the arms: the rate of the reported adverse event was 31% (36/116, (95% CI, 25%-37%) in the FQ-arm versus 36% (28/81, (95% CI, 28%-41%)) in the FT-arm (RR = 1.17 (95% CI, 0.64-2.15), p = 0.602).Conclusions: TRUS-PB UTI prophylaxis with FT and FQ has similar efficacy and safety. A randomized comparison of these two antibiotics is warranted

Bladder Recurrence Following Upper Tract Surgery for Urothelial Carcinoma: A Contemporary Review of Risk Factors and Management Strategies

Context: Bladder recurrences have been reported in 22–47% of patients after surgery for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This collaborative review focuses on risk factors for and treatment strategies to reduce bladder recurrences after upper tract surgery for UTUC. Objective: To review the current evidence on risk factors and treatment strategies for intravesical recurrence (IVR) after upper tract surgery for UTUC. Evidence acquisition: This collaborative review is based on a literature search of PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and currently available guidelines on UTUC. Relevant papers on bladder recurrence (etiology, risk factors, and management) after upper tract surgery were selected. Special attention has been paid to (1) the genetic background of bladder recurrences, (2) bladder recurrences after ureterorenoscopy (URS) with or without a biopsy, and (3) postoperative or adjuvant intravesical instillations. The literature search was performed in September 2022. Evidence synthesis: Recent evidence supports the hypothesis that bladder recurrences after upper tract surgery for UTUC are often clonally related. Clinicopathologic risk factors (patient, tumor, and treatment related) have been identified for bladder recurrences after UTUC diagnosis. Specifically, the use of diagnostic ureteroscopy before radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is associated with an increased risk of bladder recurrences. Further, a recent retrospective study suggests that performing a biopsy during ureteroscopy may further worsen IVR (no URS: 15.0%; URS without biopsy: 18.4%; URS with biopsy: 21.9%). Meanwhile, a single postoperative instillation of intravesical chemotherapy has been shown to be associated with a reduced bladder recurrence risk after RNU compared with no instillation (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.82). Currently, there are no data on the value of a single postoperative intravesical instillation after ureteroscopy. Conclusions: Although based on limited retrospective data, performing URS seems to be associated with a higher risk of bladder recurrences. Future studies are warranted to assess the influence of other surgical factors as well as the role of URS biopsy or immediate postoperative intravesical chemotherapy after URS for UTUC. Patient summary: In this paper, we review recent findings on bladder recurrences after upper tract surgery for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Instauration du traitement adjuvant endovésical par épirubicine des tumeurs de vessie n'infiltrant pas le muscle : premier retour national d'expérience du CC-AFU vessie

International audienceIntroduction: Mitomycin C is the gold standard intravesical adjuvant therapy for intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Tensions in the supply of mitomycin have emerged in France since late 2019. The ANSM in agreement with the AFU proposed to use epirubicin, already available in other European countries in this indication. The objective of our study was to report the initial French experience with the use of epirubicin in adjuvant treatment of NMIBC. Materials and methods: We undertook a French multicenter retrospective descriptive study to collect, from the centers of the members of the CC-AFU bladder, the clinico-pathological data of the patients, the indications, the modalities of use (dose, indication, circuit in the pharmacy) and the tolerance data of epirubicin. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on treatment interruptions was also identified. Of the 20 centers contacted, 5 (25%) had implemented the epirubicin administration protocol developed by the CC-AFU bladder subcommittee. A total of 61 patients were treated with endovesical instillations of epirubicin between November 2019 and November 2020 for NMIBC at a single dose of 50 mg. Results: A total of 61 patients (mean age 67 years, 64–77 years) were treated with epirubicin, of which 45 (73.8%) were male. The patients had intermediate-risk NMIBC in 88.5%, the rest had high-risk disease. Induction therapy without or with maintenance was planned for 48 (78.7%) and 13 patients (21.3%), respectively. The preparation and administration of epirubicin was similar to that of mitomycin: central pharmacy preparation for same-day dispensing with immediate outpatient instillation. Unlike mitomycin, urinary alkalinization was not required. Of the 498 total instillations scheduled, 345 were performed (69.3%). The COVID-19 epidemic significantly impacted epirubicin delivery: one patient could not start treatment (1.6%), 8 patients (13.1%) had to discontinue it permanently; the rest of the patients underwent delayed instillations (18%). Other causes of discontinuation included infectious complications (9.8%). No major toxicities were reported. Conclusion: The implementation of an adjuvant epirubicin treatment protocol presented a good feasibility with low toxicity, without modifying the organization of the patients’ care pathway. In the context of unpredictable mitomycin shortage, epirubicin represents a good therapeutic alternative in the endovesical adjuvant treatment of intermediate-risk NMIBC. Level of proof: 3

Transcriptomic Profiling of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Bladder Cancer Consensus Classification Relevance, Molecular Heterogeneity, and Differential Immune Signatures

International audienceAnalyses of large transcriptomics data sets of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) have led to a consensus classification. Molecular subtypes of upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) are less known. Our objective was to determine the relevance of the consensus classification in UTUCs by characterizing a novel cohort of surgically treated ≥pT1 tumors. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), subtype markers GATA3-CK5/6-TUBB2B in multiplex, CK20, p16, Ki67, mismatch repair system proteins, and PD-L1 were evaluated. Heterogeneity was assessed morphologically and/or with subtype IHC. FGFR3 mutations were identified by pyrosequencing. We performed 3'RNA sequencing of each tumor, with multisampling in heterogeneous cases. Consensus classes, unsupervised groups, and microenvironment cell abundance were determined using gene expression. Most of the 66 patients were men (77.3%), with pT1 (n = 23, 34.8%) or pT2-4 stage UTUC (n = 43, 65.2%). FGFR3 mutations and mismatch repair-deficient status were identified in 40% and 4.7% of cases, respectively. Consensus subtypes robustly classified UTUCs and reflected intrinsic subgroups. All pT1 tumors were classified as luminal papillary (LumP). Combining our consensus classification results with those of previously published UTUC cohorts, LumP tumors represented 57.2% of ≥pT2 UTUCs, which was significantly higher than MIBCs. Ten patients (15.2%) harbored areas of distinct subtypes. Consensus classes were associated with FGFR3 mutations, stage, morphology, and IHC. The majority of LumP tumors were characterized by low immune infiltration and PD-L1 expression, in particular, if FGFR3 mutated. Our study shows that MIBC consensus classification robustly classified UTUCs and highlighted intratumoral molecular heterogeneity. The proportion of LumP was significantly higher in UTUCs than in MIBCs. Most LumP tumors showed low immune infiltration and PD-L1 expression and high proportion of FGFR3 mutations. These findings suggest differential response to novel therapies between patients with UTUC and those with MIBC. Copyrigh

PD-L1 expression and pattern of immune cells in pre-treatment specimens are associated with disease-free survival for HR-NMIBC undergoing BCG treatment

International audiencePurpose: To assess the association between PD-L1 expression and disease-free survival (DFS) in High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (HR-NMIBC) patients treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillations (IBI).Methods: Retrospective study in five French centres between 2001 and 2015. Participants were 140 patients with histologically confirmed HR-NMIBC. All patients received induction and maintenance IBI. Pathological stage/grade, concomitant carcinoma in situ, lesion number and tumour size were recorded. CD3, CD8 and PD-L1 expression in tumour cells and in T cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME) was determined immunohistochemically. Median follow-up was 54.2 months. The primary outcome measure was DFS. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.Results: Of the 140 NMIBC, 52 (37.1%) were Ta, 88 (62.9%) were T1 and 100% were high grade. Median number of maintenance IBI was six (range 1-30). Twenty-five (17.9%) patients had recurrence/progression. In multivariable analysis, age (HR 1.07 [95% CI 1.02-1.13], p = 0.009), PD-L1 expression in tumour cells (HR per 10 units = 1.96 [95% CI 1.28-3.00], p = 0.02) and CD3/CD8 ratio (HR per 10 units = 3.38 [95% CI 1.61-7.11], p = 0.01) were significantly associated with DFS. However, using the cut-off corresponding for each PD-L1 antibodies, PD-L1 + status was not associated with DFS.Conclusion: Despite an association between PD-L1 expression and BCG failure in HR-NMIBC, the PD-L1 + status was not a prognostic factor in the response of BCG. Moreover, we confirmed the key role played by the IC within the microenvironment in BCG treatment. These findings highlighted the rationale to combine BCG and PD-L1/PD-1 antibodies in early bladder cancer