Patients who benefit the most from combinations of an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and a PARP inhibitor are those with a BRCA mutation, but there are certainly patients without BRCA mutations who will benefit from this treatment strategy.
Patients who benefit the most from combinations of an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and a PARP inhibitor are those with a BRCA mutation, but there are certainly patients without BRCA mutations who will benefit from this treatment strategy.
Background and objective: There are limited data on the prevalence and management of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) cases presenting with venous tumor thrombus (VTT). Our objectives were to describe the prevalence of TGCT with VTT, to identify a multicenter retrospective cohort, and to ascertain expert opinion regarding optimal management of this entity.
Methods: Using the IBM Marketscan database, we identified men with testicular cancer who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) with concurrent VTT or inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombectomy to estimate the prevalence of VTT in TGCT. To identify a multicenter retrospective cohort of patients, we surveyed surgeons and described the presentation, management, and outcomes for the cohort.
Key findings and limitations: The prevalence of TGCT with VTT in the IBM Marketscan database was 0.3% (n = 7/2517) when using stringent criteria and 3.1% (n = 79/2517) when using broad criteria. In response to our survey, 16 surgeons from ten centers contributed data for 34 patients. Most patients (n = 29, 85%) presented with nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. Surgical management was used for 93.9% (n = 31), including postchemotherapy tumor thrombectomy with primary cavorrhaphy in 63%. The Marketscan analysis was limited to insured individuals and did not include clinicopathological details, and use of billing codes may have included patients with stromal tumors. In addition, lack of responses to the anonymous survey limited data capture, and the RedCap survey did not address symptoms specific to IVC obstruction or allow central review of the imaging leading to VTT diagnosis.
Conclusions and clinical implications: VTT among males with TGCT is rare and requires complex multidisciplinary management, including venous tumor thrombectomy at the time of postchemotherapy RPLND.
Patient summary: Using a medical database, we estimated that the frequency of testicular cancer cases in which the tumor extends into a blood vessel (called venous tumor thrombus, VTT) is just 0.3-3.1%. We carried out a survey of surgeons with experience of this condition. Our results indicate that although testicular cancers respond well to chemotherapy, VTT is less responsive and complex surgery is necessary for this rare condition.
Metastatic prostate cancer is a frequent and fatal disease. Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) has become a readily available therapeutic option since the approval of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. Various molecules are currently being studied for TRT in prostate cancer. We review various combinations of isotopes and vectors being used to target prostate cancer cells and optimize pharmacokinetics. Promising innovations include chemical modifications to improve biodistribution, identification of new targets, and the use of novel radioisotopes such as α emitters. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our mini review summarizes research on targeted radioactive drugs for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Several promising radioactive pharmaceuticals are being evaluated in clinical trials, but more studies are necessary before these can be used in routine clinical practice.
Advanced metastatic prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease for which androgen deprivation therapy combined with and androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) is the mainstay of treatment. All available therapies may be used in sequence after the ARPI. However, patient selection is key. There is a need to identify clinical or molecular predictive factors to assist in selecting systemic treatment sequences.
Background and objective: Stockholm3 is a comprehensive blood test amalgamating protein biomarkers, genetic indicators, and clinical data to predict clinically significant prostate cancer risk (International Society of Urological Pathology grade ≥2 upon biopsy). Our study aims to externally validate Stockholm3 and compare its performance with the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the Rotterdam Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (RPCRC) for clinically significant prostate cancer detection.
Methods: We gathered data from men subjected to prostate biopsies at the Martini-Klinik, Germany, between 2014 and 2017. Participants were selected based on elevated PSA levels or suspicious digital rectal examinations, all undergoing a 10-12-core systematic biopsy without a magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy. We assessed Stockholm3 and RPCRC performance for clinically significant prostate cancer detection. Furthermore, we compared the proportion of men recommended for biopsy and biopsy outcomes with Stockholm3 and RPCRC against PSA ≥3 ng/ml.
Key findings and limitations: Our study encompassed 405 biopsied men, with a median age of 66 yr (interquartile range [IQR]: 60-72), PSA levels at 7 ng/ml (IQR: 5.2-10.8), and Stockholm3 scores at 18 (IQR: 10-34). Among them, 128 men (31%) received clinically significant prostate cancer diagnoses. Employing the recommended Stockholm3 threshold (≥15) could have reduced unnecessary biopsies by 52%, while detecting 92% of clinically significant cases compared with using PSA ≥3 ng/ml as a biopsy criterion. Both Stockholm3 and RPCRC exhibited strong discrimination, with area under the curve values of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-0.85) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.70-0.80), respectively. Stockholm3 demonstrated good calibration, while RPCRC underestimated the risk compared with observed outcomes. Moreover, Stockholm3 yielded positive clinical net benefits, whereas RPCRC yielded negative net benefits for clinically relevant thresholds.
Conclusions and clinical implications: Stockholm3 utilization could detect 92% of clinically significant prostate cancer cases while simultaneously reducing unnecessary biopsies by 52%, compared with the PSA ≥3 ng/ml criterion, based on our analysis within a cohort of men who underwent systematic biopsies.
Patient summary: In a German clinical cohort of 405 men, Stockholm3, a blood test for early prostate cancer detection, exhibited favorable clinical benefits. It identified a substantial number of clinically significant cases while reducing unnecessary biopsies by over half in men without the disease and those with clinically nonsignificant prostate cancer.
The blinded APPEAL trial is assessing the effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis in preventing infections after shockwave lithotripsy for urinary stones. This large, pragmatic, international trial will provide trustworthy evidence to inform guidelines and influence global practices.
Two novel antibiotics have been evaluated for the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI). Gepotidacin was an efficacious first-in-class oral antibiotic in uncomplicated UTI in comparison to nitrofurantoin. Cefepime/taniborbactam was superior to meropenem in complicated UTI and acute pyelonephritis.
There have been significant advances in our understanding of the biology of metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) and its response to therapy. Androgen receptor (AR) alterations, including mutations, amplifications, splice variants, and alternative activations, play a significant role in mPCa resistance to treatment. Recent studies indicate that AR alterations detected via genomic testing can be considered predictive biomarkers in men with castration-resistant PCa and can guide treatment strategies. Novel therapeutic approaches, including AR antagonists and inhibitors of ACK1, the AR N-terminal domain, or cytochrome P450 11A1, have shown promise in overcoming treatment resistance. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring the efficacy of these treatments in relation to AR mutation status and could potentially transform the treatment landscape for mPCa. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our mini review highlights advances in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, with a focus on drugs that target genetic alterations affecting a protein called the androgen receptor. Some promising results have been obtained and clinical trials are ongoing.
Background and objective: Until a few years ago, a midurethral sling was considered the gold standard for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after failure of conservative therapies. However, criticisms regarding the rate of mesh exposure and lack of long-term efficacy have led to reconsideration of other surgical procedures. Our aim was to investigate long-term subjective and objective outcomes after injection of Macroplastique, a urethral bulking agent.
Methods: We prospectively enrolled all consecutive women complaining of pure SUI symptoms with urodynamically proven SUI who received a Macroplastique injection. We investigated patient-reported subjective outcomes using International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, Urogenital Distress Inventory, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires, and the cough stress test to assess objective outcomes. Adverse events were recorded during follow-up.
Key findings and limitations: At 10 yr after Macroplastique injection, the objective cure rate was 56% and 71% of patients reported that they were satisfied. Long-term data revealed no significant decline in subjective or objective cure rates. No serious complications were reported. Study limitations include the small sample size and the lack of pad tests and bladder diaries for postoperative evaluations.
Conclusions and clinical implications: Our study shows that Macroplastique injection can be an effective and safe option for the treatment of female SUI in the long term, even when used in the first-line setting.
Patient summary: We evaluated outcomes for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who were treated with an injection of Macroplastique gel into the wall of the urethra to prevent leakage of urine. We found that this is a safe option for treatment of female SUI that is effective in the long term.
In order to establish a causal relationship between urinary microbiota and a urological disease or condition, a series of rigorous scientific criteria must be met. Demonstration of an association between microbiota and a condition does not necessarily imply causality, importance, or clinical relevance.