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Genetic Testing in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC): the Epicheck Study

P

Puigvert Foundation

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Urologic Cancer
Urologic Neoplasms

Treatments

Diagnostic Test: Urine biomarker

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other
Industry

Identifiers

NCT04702347
C2018/35

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background:

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare tumor associated with bladder cancer in up to 50% of cases. Its incidence is rising due to improved detection and bladder cancer survival. The diagnosis of UTUC is challenging because more than 35% of the standard biopsies can result inconclusive. The grading of UTUC cells, which delivers the most important data for the choice between a kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) and a radical treatment, is upgraded in 30% of radical nephroureterectomies. The follow-up of UTUC after KSS requires an invasive procedure as a diagnostic ureteroscopy for a minimum of 5 years, and urinary cytology has low diagnostic power.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to evaluate the accuracy (overall and stratified for grade) of a DNA methylation urine biomarker test (Bladder EpiCheckTM) in UTUC, and to compare it with current standard (urinary cytology). The secondary objective is to show its applicability in the specific clinical scenario of UTUC surveillance after kidney-sparing surgery and related cost-effectiveness.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

From February 2019 to February 2021, 80 consecutive patients candidates to ureteroscopy for suspicion of primary, recurrent or metachronous UTUC in one tertiary Referral Centers (Fundaciò Puigvert) giving written informed consent will be included in the study.

Intervention:

Bladder urine samples (> 10 ml) will be collected for cytology and for the methylation test before cystoscopy. Prior to semirigid and flexible ureteroscopy, urine specimens from the upper urinary tract will be obtained via a ureteral catheter.

Enrollment

80 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients suspected for primary or recurrent upper tract urothelial cancer requiring ureteroscopy

Exclusion criteria

  • Metastatic disease with patient unfit for ureteroscopy
  • Positive cystoscopy (concomitant presence of bladder cancer)
  • Macroscopic hematuria not self-limiting requiring upfront nephroureterectomy

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Central trial contact

Andrea Gallioli, MD; Alberto Breda, MD

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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