Volume 9, Number 1Review ArticlesRecent Progress in the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer With Intermittent Dose-Intense Calcitriol (DN-101)Treatment UpdateMichael K BrawerDocetaxel is becoming standard therapy for androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC), and investigational agents are being added to docetaxel to assess potential additive effects and synergy. Although one of these agents, calcitriol, has repeatedly demonstrated antiproliferative properties against cancer of the prostate, breast, colon, and lung, the antineoplastic activity of calcitriol requires superphysiologic levels. Unfortunately, chronic exposure to superphysiologic levels of calcitriol causes hypercalcemia and resulting toxicity. Therefore, a host of analogues of calcitriol have been investigated for antineoplastic function, including intermittent dose-intense calcitriol, or DN-101. Because of encouraging results from phase II studies of DN-101 combined with docetaxel, the ASCENT (AIPC Study of Calcitriol Enhancement of Taxotere) phase II trial investigated docetaxel plus DN-101 versus docetaxel plus placebo in 250 men with metastatic AIPC and an abnormal baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Although the ASCENT trial did not achieve its primary endpoint for increased PSA response, there was a significant trend in PSA response rate in the DN-101 arm. DN-101 in combination with docetaxel seems to improve overall survival and, interestingly, has a favorable safety profile compared with docetaxel alone. The DN-101/docetaxel combination is currently being studied in a much larger international trial, ASCENT-2. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(1):1-8]Prostate cancerVitamin DCalcitriolDN-101Docetaxel
Volume 10, Number 3Review ArticlesHypercalcemic States Associated With NephrolithiasisManagement UpdateDean G AssimosCorey PassmanBrandon L CravenAlthough kidney stone formation due to hypercalcemic states is rare, it is important for urologists to understand the pathophysiology of these conditions, methods of diagnosis, and treatments. This should foster a quicker diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy. The latter typically leads to the attenuation of kidney stone activity. Moreover, these patients have a systemic disease, and therapy has other health benefits. [Rev Urol. 2008;10(3):218-226]NephrolithiasisVitamin DSarcoidosisHypercalcemiaCalcium homeostasisCalcitriolParathyroid hormoneHyperparathyroidism
Volume 13, Number 3Review ArticlesRole of Inflammation in Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaDisease State ReviewSteven A KaplanRichard LeeBilal ChughtaiAlexis E TeInflammation of the prostate may represent a mechanism for hyperplastic changes to occur in the prostate. There are a variety of growth factors and cytokines that may lead to a proinflammatory process within the prostate. There are several proposed mechanisms that lead to both the intrinsic and extrinsic basis of inflammation. Prostatic inflammation may represent an important factor in influencing prostatic growth and progression of symptoms. This article reviews the recent literature on inflammation leading to chronic prostatic diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. [Rev Urol. 2011;13(3):147-150 doi: 10.3909/riu0535] © 2011 MedReviews®, LLCBenign prostatic hyperplasiaInflammationProstatitisProstatic cytokinesVitamin D