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Directory of Authors from the Journal and their last article.

Michael J ConsoloView Articles

Volume 18, Number 4Review Articles

Barriers to Accessing Urethroplasty

Treatment Update

David O SussmanGordon A BrownMichael J ConsoloKirin K SyedChristopher RobisonJacob McFaddenDavid I ShalowitzBradley D Figler

Urethroplasty is an effective treatment for men with anterior urethral strictures, but is utilized less frequently than ineffective treatments such as internal urethrotomy. We sought to identify provider-level barriers to urethroplasty. An anonymous online survey was emailed to all Mid-Atlantic American Urological Association members. Six scenarios in which urethroplasty was the most appropriate treatment were presented. Primary outcome was recommendation for urethroplasty in ≥ three clinical scenarios. Other factors measured include practice zip code, urethroplasty training, and proximity to a urethroplasty surgeon. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with increased likelihood of urethroplasty recommendation. Of 670 members emailed, 109 (16%) completed the survey. Final analysis included 88 respondents. Mean years in practice was 17.2. Most respondents received formal training in urethroplasty: 43 (49%) in residency, 5 (6%) in fellowship, and 10 (11%) in both; 48 respondents (55%) had a urethroplasty surgeon in their practice, whereas 18 (20%) had a urethroplasty surgeon within 45 minutes of his or her primary practice location. The only covariate that was associated with an increased likelihood of recommending urethroplasty in ≥ three scenarios was formal urethroplasty training. Most members (68%) reported no barriers to referring patients for urethroplasty; the most common barriers cited were long distance to urethroplasty surgeon (n = 13, 15%) and concern about complications (n = 8, 9%). Urethroplasty continues to be underutilized in men with anterior urethral strictures, potentially due to lack of knowledge dissemination and access to a urethroplasty surgeon. Appropriate urethroplasty utilization may increase with greater exposure to urethroplasty in training. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(4):188-193 doi: 10.3909/riu0731] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

UrethroplastyUrethral stricturesBarriersPhysician practice patterns

Michael J HarrisView Articles
Michael J KemeterView Articles

Volume 16, Number 4Review Articles

A Guide for Clinicians in the Evaluation of Emerging Molecular Diagnostics for Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer

Diagnosis Update

Michael J KemeterPhillip G FebboSteven E CanfieldAdam S KibelH Jeffrey LawrenceJudd W Moul

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is associated with a decline in prostate cancerrelated mortality. However, screening has also led to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of clinically insignificant tumors. Recently, certain national guidelines (eg, US Preventive Services Task Force) have recommended against PSA screening, which may lead to a reverse-stage migration. Although many prostate tumors are indolent at presentation, others are aggressive and are appropriate targets for treatment interventions. Utilization of molecular markers may improve our ability to measure tumor biology and allow better discrimination of indolent and aggressive tumors at diagnosis. Many emerging commercial molecular diagnostic assays have been designed to provide more accurate risk stratification for newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Unfamiliarity with molecular diagnostics may make it challenging for some clinicians to navigate and interpret the medical literature to ascertain whether particular assays are appropriately developed and validated for clinical use. Herein, the authors provide a framework for practitioners to use when assessing new tissue-based molecular assays. This review outlines aspects of assay development, clinical and analytic validation and clinical utility studies, and regulatory issues, which collectively determine whether tests (1) are actionable for specific clinical indications, (2) measurably influence treatment decisions, and (3) are sufficiently validated to warrant incorporation into clinical practice. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(4):172-180 doi: 10.3909/riu0644] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancerBiomarkerClinical utilityGenomic prostate scoreAdverse pathologyClinical validationMolecular diagnostics

Michael J KennellyView Articles

Volume 10, Number 3Review Articles

Overactive Bladder: Pharmacologic Treatments in the Neurogenic Population

Treatment Update

Michael J KennellyWilliam B DeVoe

Patients with neurologic disease commonly develop overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of urgency, frequency, and/or urge incontinence. Although treatment for idiopathic OAB has been extensively studied, therapy for those individuals with neurogenic-mediated OAB has not been thoroughly evaluated. Included in the present article is a description of micturition neurophysiology and a neurourologic evaluation scheme. The pharmacologic treatment options for neurogenic OAB, mainly antimuscarinics and chemical denervation, are reviewed and important studies are discussed. Management of OAB in the neurogenic population is a complex issue with no uniform treatment strategy, and individualized treatment with first-line pharmacologic therapy is often recommended. [Rev Urol. 2008;10(3):182-191]

Overactive bladderNeurogenic bladderDetrusor overactivity

Michael J LeveridgeView Articles

Volume 16, Number 3Review Articles

The Emerging Role of Social Media in Urology

Technology Update

Michael J Leveridge

Social media have become so integrated into modern communications as to be universal in our personal and, increasingly, professional lives. Recent examples of social media uptake in urology, and the emergence of data to quantify it, reveal the expansion of conventional communication routes beyond the in-person forum. In every domain of urologic practice, from patient interaction through research to continuing professional development, the move online has unlocked another layer of conversation, dissemination, and, indeed, caveats. Social media have a democratizing effect, placing patients, trainees, practitioners, and thought leaders in the same arena and on equal footing. If uptake of social media in medicine even remotely parallels its rise to ubiquity in other areas, it will only expand and evolve in the coming years. For these reasons, this article presents an overview of the most recent data on the impact and potential complications of social media usage in the urologic community. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(3):110-117 doi: 10.3909/riu0640] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Social mediaUrologic practiceEducationContinuing professional developmentResearch

Michael J WagnerView Articles

Volume 21, Number 2Case Review

Intraperitoneal Rupture of a Synovial Sarcoma of the Kidney

Andrew StammPaul KozlowskiNeal ContiSemra OlgacJohn Paul FloresMichael J Wagner

Primary renal synovial sarcoma is an aggressive, extremely rare disease. Nearly all reported cases are characterized by SYT-SSX gene translocation (X;18)(p11;q11). We describe the case of a 43-year-old woman who presented with an intraperitoneal rupture of this rare sarcoma followed by a right radical nephrectomy. Follow-up imaging 1 month after surgery revealed peritoneal carcinomatosis. She began systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin and dacarbazine, progressed after 3 months, and is currently receiving single-agent ifosfamide. Only one instance of intraperitoneal rupture has been reported previously. This case report contributes to the characterization of this rare disease. [Rev Urol. 2019;21(2/3):141–143] © 2019 MedReviews®, LLC

Kidney cancerOncologyRenal synovial sarcoma

Michael J. ShannonView Articles

Volume 23, Number 2Bladder Cancer

Integrating JELMYTO (Mitomycin) for Pyelocalyceal Solution Into Community Practice: Practical Tips for the Urologist

Michael J. ShannonSandip M. Prasad

Treatment options for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma are based on whether the patient has high-risk or low-risk disease. Low-grade tumors can be managed with nephron-sparing approaches, including ureteroscopic resection and ablation, although most patients undergoing endoscopic treatment of upper-tract urothelial cancers face a risk of recurrence. Mitomycin gel for pyelocalyceal solution provides an effective alternative therapy. In OLYMPUS, a phase 3, single-arm, open-label study, 58% of patients with low-grade disease experienced a complete response to induction therapy at 3 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an estimated 12-month durable response rate of 82%. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were ureteric stenosis, urinary tract infection, hematuria, and flank pain (grade <3). Mitomycin gel offers a novel, kidney-sparing, nonoperative approach to managing low-grade upper-tract urothelial carcinoma.

MitomycinUrologyDrug therapyUrinary tractCarcinomaUrologic neoplasmsurinary bladder neoplasms

Michael K BrawerView Articles
Michael L RitcheyView Articles
Michael LipkinView Articles

Volume 8, Supplement 4Review Articles

The Use of Alpha-Blockers for the Treatment of Nephrolithiasis

Advances in Alpha-Blocker Therapy in the Management of Urological Disorders

Ojas D ShahMichael Lipkin

Medical expulsion therapy has been shown to be a useful adjunct to observation in the management of ureteral stones. Alpha-1-adrenergic receptor antagonists have been studied in this role. Alpha-1 receptors are located in the human ureter, especially the distal ureter. Alpha-blockers have been demonstrated to increase expulsion rates of distal ureteral stones, decrease time to expulsion, and decrease need for analgesia during stone passage. Alphablockers promote stone passage in patients receiving shock wave lithotripsy, and may be able to relieve ureteral stent–related symptoms. In the appropriate clinical scenario, the use of a-blockers is recommended in the conservative management of distal ureteral stones. [Rev Urol. 2006;8(suppl 4):S35-S42]

Kidney stonesBlockersUreteral stones

Michael MarbergerView Articles
Michael McDonaldView Articles

Volume 19, Number 4Review Articles

A Head-to-Head Comparative Phase II Study of Standard Urine Culture and Sensitivity Versus DNA Next-generation Sequencing Testing for Urinary Tract Infections

Original Research

Vladimir MouravievDavid AlbalaMichael McDonaldDarian KamehMark E JohnsonTruls E Bjerklund Johansen

Many studies have discussed clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of cystitis and pyelonephritis. Treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be based on empiric antibiotic therapy. For complicated or recurrent UTIs, therapy can be based on laboratory-controlled culture and sensitivity (C&S) reports. The diagnosis of UTI by clinical criteria alone has an error rate of up to 33%. In addition, positive laboratory culture results do not always indicate a diagnosis of UTI. Comparison of urine in a conventional culture model versus DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) to accurately identify and provide information on resistance factors (mobile genetic elements) is warranted. Our study was a head-to-head comparative phase II study of standard urine C&amp;S versus DNA NGS testing for the diagnosis and treatment efficacy in patients with symptoms of acute cystitis based on short-term outcomes. [Rev Urol. 2017;19(4):213–220 doi: 10.3909/riu0780] © 2018 MedReviews®, LLC

Urinary tract infectionPyelonephritisCystitisDNA next-generation sequencing

Michael P O'LearyView Articles
Michael PaleseView Articles

Volume 13, Number 4Review Articles

A Review of Focal Therapy Techniques in Prostate Cancer: Clinical Results for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Focal Cryoablation

Treatment Review

Colin IbertiNihal MohamedMichael Palese

The advancement of focal therapy technology for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is emerging as an option for a middle ground between radical therapies and active surveillance for individuals identified with localized, low-grade PCa. Two promising techniques are high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and focal cryoablation. Both focal cryoablation and HIFU show promise, but additional prospective trials are necessary before any definitive conclusions can be made on either method&rsquo;s viability. [Rev Urol. 2011;13(4):e196-e202 doi: 10.3909/riu0540] © 2011 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancerHigh-intensity focused ultrasoundFocal cryoablation

Michael R PinsView Articles
Michael RiskView Articles

Volume 11, Number 1Review Articles

The Role of Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer: An Overview of Current Approaches in Development

Treatment Review

John M CormanMichael Risk

Ongoing clinical trials provide promise for the introduction of immunotherapy into the armamentarium against prostate cancer, but the precise role for immunotherapy remains to be determined. Combinations of immunotherapies may be needed to improve the response rates and the duration of response. Investigators have begun to examine the effect of immunotherapy in combination with other standard treatment, including as an adjuvant to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and as a neoadjuvant agent before prostatectomy. Although many studies examine efficacy in men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, there is some evidence for improved responses at earlier stages of disease: the ability of the tumor to evade the immune system may be lessened with lower tumor burden, or the immune system may already be weakened in men with later stages of disease.[Rev Urol. 2009;11(1):16-27]

Prostate cancerImmunotherapyVaccine

Michael S BorofskyView Articles

Volume 17, Number 3Review Articles

The Role of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques in the Management of Large-gland Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Management Update

Ojas ShahHerbert LeporGanesh SivarajanMichael S BorofskyJames E Lingeman

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) are among the most common medical issues for aging men. Population-based studies suggest that 13.8% of men in their 40s and more than 40% of men over age 60 have BPH. When LUTS are refractory to medical therapy and bothersome enough to warrant surgical intervention, transurethral resection of the prostate and open simple prostatectomy have been the historical reference-standard procedures for decades. Both procedures are highly effective and offer durable improvements in urinary functional outcomes. However, they also have the potential for considerable perioperative complications and morbidity. In an effort to limit surgical morbidity, a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat BPH have been introduced. Herein we present a comprehensive, evidence-based review of the efficacy and safety profile of modern minimally invasive treatments for large-gland BPH. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(3):140-149 doi: 10.3909/riu0675] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

Lower urinary tract symptomsRobotic simple prostatectomyBenign prostatic hypertrophyGreenLight photovaporizationHolmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)

Michael S CooksonView Articles

Volume 9, Number 4Review Articles

Estrogenic Side Effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Treatment Update

Michael S CooksonJames A EasthamTheresa A GuiseMichael G OefeleinMatthew R SmithCelestia Higano

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is part of standard therapy for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer and is frequently used in men with a rising prostate-specific antigen following radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. In some men, ADT may be administered for years or even decades. The intended therapeutic effect of ADT is testosterone deficiency. Because estrogen is a normal metabolite of testosterone, ADT also results in estrogen deficiency. ADT has a variety of adverse effects, many of which are primarily related to estrogen deficiency. Bone mineral density may decrease by 4% to 13% per year in men receiving ADT. The fracture rate for patients on ADT averages 5% to 8% per year of therapy. Hot flashes, gynecomastia, and breast tenderness are common side effects associated with ADT. In the clinic, minimum baseline testing should include weight measurement, blood pressure reading, and fasting lipid panel and serum glucose tests. Currently, there are no large outcome trials in men on ADT testing the available therapies for adverse effects. No therapies are specifically approved for treatment of adverse effects in men on ADT. Although some therapies can be used for a single indication (based upon small studies), there is currently no agent to treat the multiple estrogenic side effects of ADT. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(4):163-180]

Androgen deprivation therapyCardiovascular diseaseGynecomastiaOsteoporosis fractureMale hot flashes

Michael S ManakView Articles

Volume 22, Number 4Review Articles

Application of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Vision & Learning for the Development of a Live Single-cell Phenotypic Biomarker Test to Predict Prostate Cancer Tumor Aggressiveness

Original Research

David M. AlbalaGrannum R SantJonathan S VarsanikMichael S ManakMatthew J WhitfieldBrad J HoganWendell R SuCJ JiangAshok C Chander

To assess the usefulness and applications of machine vision (MV) and machine learning (ML) techniques that have been used to develop a single cell–based phenotypic (live and fixed biomarkers) platform that correlates with tumor biological aggressiveness and risk stratification, 100 fresh prostate samples were acquired, and areas of prostate cancer were determined by post-surgery pathology reports logged by an independent pathologist. The prostate samples were dissociated into single-cell suspensions in the presence of an extracellular matrix formulation. These samples were analyzed via live-cell microscopy. Dynamic and fixed phenotypic biomarkers per cell were quantified using objective MV software and ML algorithms. The predictive nature of the ML algorithms was developed in two stages. First, random forest (RF) algorithms were developed using 70% of the samples. The developed algorithms were then tested for their predictive performance using the blinded test dataset that contained 30% of the samples in the second stage. Based on the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis, thresholds were set to maximize both sensitivity and specificity. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of the assay by comparing the algorithm-generated predictions with adverse pathologic features in the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Using MV and ML algorithms, the biomarkers predictive of adverse pathology at RP were ranked and a prostate cancer patient risk stratification test was developed that distinguishes patients based on surgical adverse pathology features. The ability to identify and track large numbers of individual cells over the length of the microscopy experimental monitoring cycles, in an automated way, created a large biomarker dataset of primary biomarkers. This biomarker dataset was then interrogated with ML algorithms used to correlate with post-surgical adverse pathology findings. Algorithms were generated that predicted adverse pathology with >0.85 sensitivity and specificity and an AUC (area under the curve) of >0.85. Phenotypic biomarkers provide cellular and molecular details that are informative for predicting post-surgical adverse pathologies when considering tumor biopsy samples. Artificial intelligence ML-based approaches for cancer risk stratification are emerging as important and powerful tools to compliment current measures of risk stratification. These techniques have capabilities to address tumor heterogeneity and the molecular complexity of prostate cancer. Specifically, the phenotypic test is a novel example of leveraging biomarkers and advances in MV and ML for developing a powerful prognostic and risk-stratification tool for prostate cancer patients. [Rev Urol. 2020;22(4):159–167] © 2021 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancerArtificial intelligencePhenotypic biomarkersMachine visionMachine learning

Michael S SacksView Articles