Impact of Clinical Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in the Era of Robot Assisted Radical Cystectomy: Results of a Single-Center Experience.

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been proven to be an established prognostic factor after open radical cystectomy (ORC). We evaluated the impact of NACT on survival outcomes of a single-institution robotic radical cystectomy (RARC) series.

From January 2012 to June 2020, 79 patients were identified. Baseline, demographic, perioperative, and pathologic data were described. Kaplan-Meier with the log-rank test was used to compare overall survival (OS) differences between complete, partial, and no-NACT responders, respectively. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of OS.

Complete, partial, and absent response to NACT were recorded in 43 (54.4%), 21 (19%), and 15 (26.6%) patients, respectively. A complete response to NACT displayed a trend toward significant higher OS (p = 0.03). In univariable analysis, significant predictors of lower OS were hypertension (HR 3.37; CI 95% 1.31-8.62; p = 0.01); advanced nodal involvement (HR 2.41; CI 95% 0.53-10.9; p < 0.001); and incomplete response to NACT (HR 0.41; CI 95% 0.18-0.95; p = 0.039). In multivariable analysis, the only independent predictor of worse OS was advanced pathologic N stages (HR 10.1; CI: 95% CI 2.3-44.3; p = 0.002).

Complete response to NACT is associated with increased OS probability, but significant nodal residual disease remains the only independent predictor of OS after RARC.

Journal of clinical medicine. 2020 Aug 24*** epublish ***

Umberto Anceschi, Aldo Brassetti, Gabriele Tuderti, Maria Consiglia Ferriero, Manuela Costantini, Alfredo Maria Bove, Fabio CalabrĂ², Paolo Carlini, Sabrina Vari, Riccardo Mastroianni, Michele Gallucci, Giuseppe Simone

Department of Urology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy., Department of Oncology, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152 Rome, Italy., Department of Oncology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy., Department of Urology, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.