%0 Journal Article
%T The Feasibility and Diagnostic Adequacy of PD-L1 Expression Analysis Using the Cytoinclusion Technique in Bladder Cancer: A Prospective Single-Center Study.
%A Di Gianfrancesco L
%A Montagner IM
%A Tormen D
%A Crestani A
%A Amodeo A
%A Corsi P
%A De Marchi D
%A Miglioranza E
%A Lista G
%A Simonetti F
%A Busetto GM
%A Maggi M
%A Marino F
%A Scapinello A
%A Porreca A
%J J Clin Med
%V 13
%N 14
%D 2024 Jul 12
%M 39064112
%F 4.964
%R 10.3390/jcm13144072
%X Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has been recognized as a potential biomarker for various cancers, yet its diagnostic and prognostic significance in urothelial bladder cancer (BCa) requires further investigation. Methods: In this prospective single-center study, we aimed to assess the feasibility and diagnostic adequacy of PD-L1 expression analysis using cytoinclusion in BCa patients. We enrolled consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), repeat TURBT, or robot-assisted radical cystectomy. Urinary and tissue specimens were collected from these patients for cytoinclusion and histopathological analysis to evaluate PD-L1 expression. Results: Out of 29 patients, PD-L1 expression was detected from cytoinclusion in 42.8% (3 out of 7), 10% (1 out of 10), and 66.8% (8 out of 12) of patients with negative/papilloma, low-grade, and high-grade tumors, respectively. Conversely, histopathological analysis identified PD-L1 expression in 57.2% (4 out of 7), 30% (3 out of 10), and 83.3% (10 out of 12) of patients with negative/papilloma, low-grade, and high-grade tumors, respectively. The diagnostic concordance between cytoinclusion and histopathology was 85.7%, 80%, and 83.3% in patients with negative/papilloma, low-grade, and high-grade tumors, respectively. Conclusions: Our study underscores the promise of cytoinclusion as a minimally invasive method for quantifying urinary PD-L1 percentages. This approach could serve as both a potential prognostic and diagnostic indicator, easily obtainable from urine samples. Standardizing this technique could facilitate its widespread use as a valuable tool.