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Prostate cancer

All articles from this key word are listed below.

Volume 16, Number 3 Review Articles

The Rationale for Optimal Combination Therapy With Sipuleucel-T for Patients With Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Treatment Review

Neil Mariados Robert B Sims Mark Emberton Neal D Shore Raoul S Concepcion Christopher M Pieczonka Vladimir Mouraviev

Immunotherapy encourages the recipient’s own immune response to destroy cancer cells, and current evidence suggests that immunotherapies may be most beneficial in early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Sipuleucel-T is the first therapeutic cancer vaccine to be approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic mCRPC. Combining immunotherapy with other treatments may have potent anticancer effects; cytoreductive therapies can release tumor antigens and promote a proinflammatory environment that could augment immunotherapies. However, some cytoreductive agents or coadministered drugs may be immunosuppressive. Understanding these interactions between different mCRPC treatment modalities may offer further potential to improve patient outcomes. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(3):122-130 doi: 10.3909/riu0637] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Sipuleucel-T Combination therapy

Volume 16, Number 2 Review Articles

Proton Beam Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer 101: Basics, Controversies, and Facts

Treatment Update

Eric S Wisenbaugh Paul E Andrews Robert G Ferrigni Steven E Schild Sameer R Keole William W Wong Sujay A Vora

Proton beam therapy for prostate cancer has become a source of controversy in the urologic community, and the rapid dissemination and marketing of this technology has led to many patients inquiring about this therapy. Yet the complexity of the technology, the cost, and the conflicting messages in the literature have left many urologists ill equipped to counsel their patients regarding this option. This article reviews the basic science of the proton beam, examines the reasons for both the hype and the controversy surrounding this therapy, and, most importantly, examines the literature so that every urologist is able to comfortably discuss this option with inquiring patients. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(2):67-75 doi: 10.3909/riu0601] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Proton beam therapy External beam radiation therapy Intensity

Volume 16, Number 2 Review Articles

Focal Laser Ablation for Localized Prostate Cancer: Principles, Clinical Trials, and Our Initial Experience

Treatment Update

Ted Lee Neil Mendhiratta Dan Sperling Herbert Lepor

Focal therapy of prostate cancer is an evolving treatment strategy that destroys a predefined region of the prostate gland that harbors clinically significant disease. Although long-term oncologic control has yet to be demonstrated, focal therapy is associated with a marked decrease in treatment-related morbidity. Focal laser ablation is an emerging modality that has several advantages, most notably real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility. This review presents the principles of laser ablation, the role of multiparametric MRI for delineating the site of significant prostate cancer, a summary of published clinical studies, and our initial experience with 23 patients, criteria for selecting candidates for focal prostate ablation, and speculation regarding future directions. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(2):55-66 doi: 10.3909/riu0615] © 2014 MedReviews® LLC

Prostate cancer Focal therapy Targeted therapy Laser ablation

Volume 17, Number 4 Original Research

The 4Kscore® Test Reduces Prostate Biopsy Rates in Community and Academic Urology Practices

Kenneth M Kernen Dipen J Parekh Danielle Osterhout Jeffrey Schock Randy M Chudler Gregory M Oldford Badrinath R Konety Jason Hafron Stephen M Zappala

There is significant concern regarding prostate cancer screening because of the potential for overdiagnosis and overtreatment of men who are discovered to have abnormal prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and/or digital rectal examination (DRE) results. The 4Kscore® Test (OPKO Diagnostics, LLC) is a blood test that utilizes four kallikrein levels plus clinical information in an algorithm to calculate an individual’s percentage risk (< 1% to > 95%) for aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥ 7) on prostate biopsy. The 4Kscore Test, as a follow-up test after abnormal PSA and/or DRE test results, has been shown to improve the specificity for predicting the risk of aggressive prostate cancer and reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies. A clinical utility study was conducted to assess the influence of the 4Kscore Test on the decision to perform prostate biopsies in men referred to urologists for abnormal PSA and/or DRE results. The study population included 611 patients seen by 35 academic and community urologists in the United States. Urologists ordered the 4Kscore Test as part of their assessment of men referred for abnormal PSA and/or DRE test results. Results for the patients were stratified into low risk (< 7.5%), intermediate risk (7.5%-19.9%), and high risk (≥ 20%) for aggressive prostate cancer. The 4Kscore Test results influenced biopsy decisions in 88.7% of the men. Performing the 4Kscore Test resulted in a 64.6% reduction in prostate biopsies in patients; the actual percentage of cases not proceeding to biopsy were 94.0%, 52.9%, and 19.0% for men who had low-, intermediate-, and high-risk 4Kscore Test results, respectively. A higher 4Kscore Test was associated with greater likelihood of having a prostate biopsy (P < 0.001). Among the 171 patients who had a biopsy, the 4Kscore risk category is strongly associated with biopsy pathology. The 4Kscore Test, as a follow-up test for an abnormal PSA and/or DRE results, significantly influenced the physician and patient shared decision in clinical practice, which led to a reduction in prostate biopsies while increasing the probability of detecting aggressive cancer. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(4):231-240 doi: 10.3909/riu0699] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Prostate-specific antigen 4Kscore Gleason score Digital rectal examination Biopsy rate Prostate cancer prognosis

Volume 17, Number 4 Book Reviews

Smoking: Its Impact on Urologic Health

Management Update

David Mobley Neil Baum

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, and smoking is a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer. There is also evidence that smoking is associated with several urologic diseases. Urologists have a unique opportunity to help our patients lead healthy lifestyles, which includes ending their dependence on nicotine and tobacco. This article points out the various urologic conditions associated with smoking and tobacco use with the intention of providing physicians and patients with knowledge and education regarding this connection. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(4):220-225 doi: 10.3909/riu0684] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Bladder cancer Kidney cancer Interstitial cystitis Smoking Erectile dysfunction

Volume 17, Number 2 Review Articles

Penile Rehabilitation Strategies Among Prostate Cancer Survivors

Treatment Update

Fouad Aoun Alexandre Peltier Roland van Velthoven

Despite advances in technical and surgical approaches, erectile dysfunction (ED) remains the most common complication among prostate cancer survivors, adversely impacting quality of life. This article analyzes the concept and rationale of ED rehabilitation programs in prostate cancer patients. Emphasis is placed on the pathophysiology of ED after diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer to understand the efficacy of rehabilitation programs in clinical practice. Available evidence shows that ED is a transient complication following prostate biopsy and cancer diagnosis, with no evidence to support rehabilitation programs in these patients. A small increase in ED and in the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors was reported in patients under active surveillance. Patients should be advised that active surveillance is unlikely to severely affect erectile function, but clinically significant changes in sexual function are possible. Focal therapy could be an intermediate option for patients demanding treatment/refusing active surveillance and invested in maintaining sexual activity. Unlike radical prostatectomy, there is no support for PDE5 inhibitor use to prevent ED after highly conformal external radiotherapy or low-dose rate brachytherapy. Despite progress in the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for ED in prostate cancer patients, the success rates of rehabilitation programs remain low in clinical practice. Alternative strategies to prevent ED appear warranted, with attention toward neuromodulation, nerve grafting, nerve preservation, stem cell therapy, investigation of neuroprotective interventions, and further refinements of radiotherapy dosing and delivery methods. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(2):58-68 doi: 10.3909/riu0652] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Erectile dysfunction Penile rehabilitation Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor Prostaglandin E

Volume 17, Number 1 Review Articles

Finding the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The 4Kscore Is a Novel Blood Test That Can Accurately Identify the Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Diagnosis and Screening Update

Dipen J Parekh Sanoj Punnen MAS Nicola Pavan

Better biomarkers that can discriminate between aggressive and indolent phenotypes of prostate cancer are urgently needed. In the first 20 years of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era, screening for prostate cancer has successfully reduced prostate cancer mortality, but has led to significant problems with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. As a result, many men are subjected to unnecessary prostate biopsies and overtreatment of indolent cancer in order to save one man from dying of prostate cancer. A novel blood test known as the 4Kscore® Test (OPKO Lab, Nashville, TN) incorporates a panel of four kallikrein protein biomarkers (total PSA, free PSA, intact PSA, and human kallikrein-related peptidase 2) and other clinical information in an algorithm that provides a percent risk for a high-grade (Gleason score ≥ 7) cancer on biopsy. In 10 peer-reviewed publications, the four kallikrein biomarkers and algorithm of the 4Kscore Test have been shown to improve the prediction not only of biopsy histopathology, but also surgical pathology and occurrence of aggressive, metastatic disease. Recently, a blinded prospective trial of the 4Kscore Test was conducted across the United States among 1012 men. The 4Kscore Test replicated previous European results showing accuracy in predicting biopsy outcome of Gleason score ≥ 7. In a recent case-control study nested within a population-based cohort from Västerbotten, Sweden, the four kallikrein biomarkers of the 4Kscore Test also predicted the risk for aggressive prostate cancer that metastasized within 20 years after the test was administered. These results indicate that men with an abnormal PSA or digital rectal examination result, and for whom an initial or repeat prostate biopsy is being considered, would benefit from a reflex 4Kscore Test to add important information to the clinical decision-making process. A high-risk 4Kscore Test result may be used to select men with a high probability of aggressive prostate cancer who would benefit from a biopsy of the prostate to prevent an adverse and potentially lethal outcome from prostate cancer. Men with a low 4Kscore Test result may safely defer biopsy. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(1):3-13 doi: 10.3909/riu0668] © 2015 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Biomarker Screening High-grade prostate cancer

Volume 18, Number 3 Original Research

Health Economic Impact and Prospective Clinical Utility of Oncotype DX® Genomic Prostate Score

Michael J Kemeter Phillip G Febbo David Albala Ruixiao Lu Vincy John Dylan Stoy Bela Denes Marybeth McCall Alan W Shindel Frank Dubeck

Prostate cancer (CaP) will be diagnosed in approximately 181,000 American men in 2016. Despite the high number of deaths from CaP in the United States, the disease has a protracted natural history and many men diagnosed with CaP will not die of the disease regardless of treatment. Unfortunately, identification of men with truly indolent/nonaggressive CaP is challenging; limitations of conventional diagnostic modalities diminish the ability of physicians to accurately stage every case of CaP based on biopsy results alone. The resulting uncertainty in prognosis may prompt men with low-risk CaP to proceed to morbid and expensive treatments for an unclear survival benefit. Incorporation of the Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) as part of the decision algorithm for patients with National Comprehensive Cancer Network very low-risk and low-risk cancer led to a substantial increase in uptake of active surveillance and substantial cost savings. GPS provides physicians and patients with an additional tool in assessing personalized risk and helps guide individual decision making. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(3):123-132 doi: 10.3909/riu0725] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Oncotype DX® GPS Genomic testing Health economics Clinical utility

Volume 18, Number 3 Meeting Reviews

Highlights From the 2016 American Urological Association Annual Meeting

Michael K Brawer Michael A Gorin J Curtis Nickel Dean G Assimos Ellen Shapiro Alan W Partin Michael B Chancellor Stacy Loeb Benjamin M Brucker

More than 2000 posters, abstracts, and videos were presented at the 2016 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting, held in San Diego, CA, from May 6 to 10, 2016. The editors of Reviews in Urology have culled an enormous volume of information from this premier source and present the findings that are most relevant to the practicing urologist. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(3):159-173 doi:10.3909/riu0717] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Active surveillance Disorders of sexual development Nephrolithiasis Overactive bladder Microbiome OnabotulinumtoxinA Hemorrhagic cystitis Inflammation Four kallikrein assay Genomic prostate score

Volume 18, Number 1 Review Articles

Contemporary Role of the Decipher® Test in Prostate Cancer Management: Current Practice and Future Perspectives

Management Update

Deepansh Dalela Björn Löppenberg Akshay Sood Jesse Sammon Firas Abdollah

We performed a systematic literature search to identify original articles and editorials about the Decipher® Prostate Cancer Test (GenomeDx Biosciences, San Diego, CA) to provide an overview of the current literature and its present role in urologic clinical practice. The Decipher test, which uses the expression of 22 selected RNA markers (from a total of over 1.4 million), showed a very high discrimination in predicting clinical metastasis (0.75-0.83) and cancer-specific mortality (0.78) in external validation studies, outperforming all routinely available clinicopathologic characteristics. Further, the timing of postoperative radiotherapy (adjuvant vs salvage) may be guided based on Decipher scores. The Decipher test was also the only independent predictor of clinical metastasis in patients with biochemical recurrence after surgery. The Decipher Genomic Resource Information Database (GRID) is a novel research tool that captures 1.4 million marker expressions per patient and may facilitate precision-guided, individualized care to patients with prostate cancer. In this era of precision medicine, Decipher, along with the Decipher GRID platform, is a promising genomic tool that may aid in managing prostate cancer patients throughout the continuum of care and delivering appropriate treatment at an individualized level. [Rev Urol. 2016;18(1):1-9 doi: 10.3909/riu0706] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Prostate cancer Decipher® Prostate Cancer Test Genomic classifier Neoplasm recurrence Local/surgery Treatment outcome