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Background/Aim: Several prognostic risk factors have been recognized when using cisplatin-based conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC); these include performance status (PS), liver metastasis, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, time from prior chemotherapy (TFPC), and other systemic inflammation scores including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). However, the benefit of these indicators for predicting outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the predictive value of the indicators in patients who received pembrolizumab for the treatment of advanced UC. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five patients who received pembrolizumab treatment for advanced UC were included. The Karnofsky PS, liver metastasis, hemoglobin levels, TFPC, NLR, and PLR were analyzed, and their relationship with overall survival (OS) was determined. Results: All factors were highlighted as significant prognostic indicators for OS in the univariate proportional regression analysis (p<0.05 for each). Multivariate analysis revealed that Karnofsky PS and liver metastasis were independent prognostic indicators for OS (p<0.01) but were applicable only for a small number of patients. Notably, the combined analysis with low Hb levels and high PLR was significantly associated with OS in patients who could gain less benefit from pembrolizumab at a median of 6.6 [95% confidence interval (CI)=4.2-9.0] versus 15.1 (95% CI=12.4-17.8) months (p=0.002). Conclusion: The combination of Hb levels and PLR may be a broadly applicable indicator for the outcome of pembrolizumab as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An association between the development of overall or specific immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors has recently been suggested. To address this emerging association in patients with urothelial cancer receiving pembrolizumab, we conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis, which is the first and largest in an Asian cohort as well as a systematic literature review. We retrospectively evaluated 97 patients with advanced urothelial cancer treated with pembrolizumab as second- or later-line treatment between January 2018 and March 2019. irAEs were categorized by the involved organs and graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Associations between irAEs and pembrolizumab efficacy, including objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), were evaluated. In our review of the literature, 28 studies, including 9 studies involving patients with urothelial cancer and 19 studies reporting the association between outcomes and spectrum of irAEs, were analyzed. Patients with irAEs had significantly higher ORR (52% vs. 16%, P < .01), longer PFS (11.0 months vs. 3.6 months, P < .01) and OS (median not reached vs. 13.1 months, P = .12) than in patients without irAEs. Endocrine (P = .02), pneumological (P = .06), and other (gastrointestinal, hematological, hepatic) (P = .04) irAEs were associated with increased ORR, whereas skin irAEs were not. Endocrine irAEs (P = .04) was associated with improved OS, whereas pneumological and skin irAEs were not. The association between the occurrence of irAEs and clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors was consistently supported by the multiple studies we reviewed. The association between clinical outcomes and the spectrum of organs/systems affected by irAEs seems to be inconsistent and could be dependent on tumor type. irAEs were associated with a higher ORR and better survival of patients with advanced urothelial cancer treated with pembrolizumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The shortage of surgeon is one of the serious problems in Japan. To solve the problem, various efforts have been undertaken to improve surgical education and training. However, appropriate teaching methods in the operating room have not been well established. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of a novel interactive educational (IE) system for surgical education on urologic surgeries in the operating room. Methods: A total of 20 Japanese medical students were educated on urologic surgery using the IE system in the operating room. The IE system consists of two parts. The first is three-dimensional (3D) magnified vision of the operative field using a 3D head-mounted display and a 3D endoscope. The second is interactive educative communication between medical students and surgeons using a small-sized wireless communication device. The satisfaction level with the IE system and the physical burden on medical students was examined via questionnaire. Results: All students utilized the IE system in urologic surgery and responded to the survey. Most students were satisfied with the IE system. They also felt more welcomed by the surgeon when using the IE system than when not using it. No major unpleasant symptoms were observed but five students (25 %) experienced mild eye fatigue as a result of viewing the medical images. Conclusions: The IE system has the potential to motivate students to become interested in surgery and could be an efficient method of surgical education in the operating room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgery relies on visual information. We aimed to develop an integrated image navigation system (RoboSurgeon System) that combines head-mounted displays (HMDs) with multiple image modalities, and assessed its feasibility in 5 prostate cancer patients who underwent gasless single-port endoscopic radical prostatectomy. A robotically manipulated transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) system was used. In all cases, preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images and intraoperative real-time images of an endoscope, TRUS, and HMD-mounted camera were integrated and displayed synchronously on each HMD in a four-split screen mode during the entire process. The TRUS helped identify the boundary with the adjacent structures endoscopically in reference to MR images. There were no negative incidents in intraoperative or postoperative courses. Integrated image navigation using HMDs as individualized monitors is feasible in the natural ergonomic position and may be beneficial to identify correct dissection planes. The efficacy of the RoboSurgeon System deserves further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a new three-dimensional (3D) head-mounted display (HMD) system (RoboSurgeon system) that combines a high-definition 3D organic electroluminescent HMD with a high-definition 3D endoscope and applies it to minimally invasive surgery. This system presents the surgeon with a higher quality of magnified 3D imagery in front of the eyes, regardless of head position. We report 5 cases of RoboSurgeon gasless laparoendoscopic single-port partial cystectomy, which is carried out as part of our selective bladder-sparing protocol, with a technique utilizing both an intravesical and extravesical approach. While carrying out the surgery, the system provides the surgeon with both excellent 3D imagery of the operative field and clear imagery of the cystoscopy. All procedures were safely completed and there were no complications except for a case of postoperative lymphorrhea. Our experience shows that the 3D HMD system might facilitate maneuverability and safety in various minimally invasive procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]