Research

Research based on data and materials within ProBCI can be initiated and executed by (clinicians from) participating centers, as well as by external research groups.

For more information about clinical data and data on patient-reported outcomes available for patients included in ProBCI or about use of residual tissue for research, please contact the central study team.

Blood samples collected of included patients allow for analyses of genomic DNA or cell-free DNA. These blood samples are stored in the Radboud Biobank. The samples are findable through the catalogue of BBMRI-NL.

Data and publication policy

Data are available upon request, subject to required data sharing agreements. Please contact the central study team to initiate a data access request.

Studies and projects

  • IMPASSE-study

This Erasmus MC study focuses on patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, who are at high risk of progressing to muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
The IMPASSE-study looks for the molecular mechanisms that cause bladder tumors to continue to grow despite treatment with BCG. The researchers hope to be able to better predict which patients will respond to BCG. This will allow us to use the scarce BCG more efficiently, and we will spare patients for whom it will not work a burdensome treatment.
Principal investigator: Dr. T. Zuiverloon
(Read more)

  • BladParadigm study

BladParadigm is a randomized clinical trial, led by the Radboudumc, carried out in multiple ProBCI centers. The study aims to determine whether multiparametric MRI in combination with bladder biopsy, instead of standard transurethral resection of the tumor (TURT), is a safer and more cost-effective way to deetect or eliminate muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Principal investigators: Dr. A.G. van der Heijden, Prof. dr. L.A. Kiemeney

  • CHASIT-study

The CHASIT study is a national, multicenter study lead by Erasmus MC for patients with locally advanced, irresectable or clinically node-positive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, upper urinary tract or urethra. These patients are normally treated with induction chemotherapy. In case of adequate response, this is followed by radical surgery.
The CHASIT study aims to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of sequential treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by radical surgery in patients with locally advanced irresectable or clinically node-positive urothelial carcinoma.
Principal investigators: Prof. dr. J.L. Boormans, Dr. T. Zuiverloon
(Read more)

  • MULTIR-study

The MULTIR study is a European project, aimed at identifying critical elements in the tumor-host interaction responsible for therapy response (chemotherapy and immunotherapy) of various cancer types, including patients with bladder cancer.
It combines existing multi-layer (epidemiological, genetic, clinical, pathologic, imaging, molecular) data from major studies. 
The Dutch participation in this international project is lead by the Radboudumc. 
Principal investigator: Dr. S. Vermeulen 

Publications

Peer-reviewed papers:

  • The impact of positive surgical margins after cystectomy on oncological outcomes: a nationwide study
    J. Bosveld, T.Q. Nguyen, J.L. Boormans, J.A. Witjes, A.G. van der Heijden, N. Mehra, L.A. Kiemeney, K.K.H. Aben, ProBCI Study Group, R.P. Meijer, A. Richters – BJU International 2024
    (full text, .pdf)
  • Guidelines versus real-world data in metastatic bladder cancer: a population-based study on first-line chemotherapy treatment patterns
    E. Slotman, A. Richters, H.P. Fransen, T.J. Smilde, Y.M. van der Linden, S. Siesling, K.K. Aben, N.J. Raijmakers, on behalf of the ProBCI Study Group – Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigaions 2024
    (full text, .pdf)
  • Treatment Patterns and Use of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Among Patients with Metastatic Bladder Cancer in a Dutch Nationwide Cohort
    A. Richters, D.G. Robbrecht, R.P. Meijer, A.G. van der Heijden, L.A. Kiemeney, J. van den Bosch, B.B. Suelmann, B.C. Özdemir, ProBCI Study Group, N. Mehra, K.K. Aben – European Urology Open Science 2024
    (full text, .pdf)
  • Overall survival of patients receiving cispllatin or carboplatin for primary metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a contemporary Dutch nationwide cohort study
    A. Richters, J.L. Boormans, M.S. van der Heijden, A.G. van der Heijden, R.P. Meijer, N. Mehra, L.A. Kiemeney, K.K. Aben – European Urology Focus 2021
    (full text, .pdf)
  • Prospective bladder cancer infrastructure for experimental and observational research on bladder cancer: study protocol for the ‘trials within cohorts’ study ProBCI
    A. Richters, R.P. Meijer, N. Mehra, J.L. Boormans, A.G. van der Heijden, M.S. van der Heijden, L.A. Kiemeney, K.K. Aben – BMJ Open 2021
    (full text, .pdf)
  • Utilization of systemic treatment for metastatic bladder cancer in everyday practice: results of a nation-wide population-based cohort study
    A. Richters, N. Mehra, R.P. Meijer, J.L. Boormans, A.G. van der Heijden, T.J. Smilde, M.S. van der Heijden, L.A. Kiemeney, K.K. Aben – Cancer Treatment and Research Communications 2020
    (full text, .pdf)

Conference oral/poster presentations:

  • Pembrolizumab for metastatic bladder cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy: comparison between patients from KEYNOTE-045 and a Dutch nationwide contemporary cohort
    (abstract presentation by A. Richters at EAU 2024)
  • Overall survival of patients receiving cisplatin or carboplatin for primary metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a contemporary Dutch nationwide cohort study
    (abstract presentation by A. Richters at EMUC 2021)
  • Use of systemic therapy for metastatic bladder cancer in clinical practice: first results from ProBCI  
    (poster presentation by A. Richters at IBCN 2019)