Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in solid organ transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) face higher cancer risk because of immunosuppressive therapy used to prevent organ rejection. We hypothesized that SOTRs treated with radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph-node dissection (PLND) for bladder cancer (UBC) might have worse survival outcomes compared to non-SOTRs. This study aims to assess survival outcomes of SOTRs treated with RC and PLND for UBC compared to non-SOTRs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 645 patients treated with RC and PLND for UBC, originating from our multicenter cooperation program (2002-2022), stratified in two groups according to previous solid organ transplantation. Co-primary endpoints were OS and CSS, assessed using mixed-effects Cox-analysis. Secondary endpoints included postoperative complications, readmission-rates, operation time, estimated blood loss and length of stay. RESULTS: Of the 361 patients analyzed (median follow-up: 17 months), 23 were SOTRs. SOTRs exhibited lower 12-month (70% vs. 80%) and 24-month (36% vs. 68%) OS-rates compared to non-SOTRs (P=0.011). Corresponding CSS-rates were also lower for SOTRs at 12 (81% vs. 85%) and 24 months (55% vs. 76%) (P=0.016). Multivariable Cox-regression identified a prior solid organ transplant (OR:5.2; P=0.002), higher pathologic-stage (OR:3.8; P=0.03 for pT2, OR:3.6; P=0.04 for pT3, OR:4.5; P=0.03 for pT4), and administration of “any systemic treatment” (OR:0.3; P=0.001) as OS predictors. For CSS, predictors were a prior solid organ transplant (OR:3.0; P=0.03), higher pathologic-stage (OR:9.8; P=0.04 for pT3, OR:13; P=0.02 for pT4), and administration of “any systemic treatment” (OR:0.4; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Solid organ transplant recipients undergoing RC and PLND for urinary UBC have worse survival outcomes compared to non-SOTRs. Our findings may impact patient counseling, follow-up, and planning future clinical trials.