Prostate Cancer

With no clearly superior treatment for localized prostate cancer, physicians and patients would like to increase patient participation in the decision-making process. Unfortunately, physicians frequently have difficulty understanding patients’ preferences, and patients often do not have sufficient knowledge to make an informed treatment decision. Shared- decision-making tools, such as decision analyses, may increase patient participation and thereby improve physicians’ understanding of their patients’ views.

Normal and hyperplastic prostate glandular epithelium does not express somatostatin receptors. Neuroendocrine prostatic cells contain bioactive secretory products such as chromogranin A, serotonin, and neuron-specific enolase. The stromal smooth muscle cells around glandular epithelium and ganglion cells of the prostatic plexus are positive for somatostatin subtype 2 receptors (sst 2).[1] In prostate cancer, however, there is nonhomogeneous distribution of sst 1. In the peritumoral veins of prostate cancer, sst 2 receptors were found by Reubi et al in 14 of 27 samples.[2]

This second installment on prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a marker of disease activity and cancer cell viability in prostate cancer focuses on its role in monitoring the effects of a variety of therapies at different stages of the disease. In addition, the authors propose guidelines for studying the efficacy of new treatments in this setting.

As a tumor marker, prostate specific antigen (PSA) has revolutionized the detection and management of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. From its discovery in the early 1970s to its application in the 1980s and finally widespread use in the 1990s, PSA has profoundly affected the way in which we treat prostate cancer. Many researchers in basic science and clinical practice have helped to create the PSA story, and the authors of this manuscript have made major contributions to our understanding of PSA as a tumor marker.

Despite the impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on the detection and management of prostate cancer, controversy about its usefulness as a marker of disease activity continues. This review, based on a

The patient, L.E., is a 72-year-old white male who has been under our care for 10 years. He initially presented to our clinic in 1992, with a diagnosis of localized prostate cancer.

ORLANDO-In patients with hormone-refractory, metastatic prostate cancer, an allogeneic vaccine delays progression of disease and prolongs survival, according to data presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (abstract 729).

The results of a phase III multicenter trial presented at the 38th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology showed for the first time that chemotherapy can improve the survival of patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. For the study, researchers compared the effects of vinblastine alone vs vinblastine combined with estramustine (Emcyt).

The authors present an excellent review of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), bringing us up to date on the large body of information that has been collected since this marker came into clinical use in the mid-1980s. It is hard to believe that we have had this tool for nearly 20 years. Much has been learned.

This is a well-written and timely review of a topic that has recently become both complex to urologists and confusing to nonurologists. The authors discuss the physiology of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and its role in a variety of clinical situations, highlighting the areas of proven utility and identifying areas of controversy.

Despite the impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on the detection and management of prostate cancer, controversy about its usefulness as a marker of disease activity continues. This review, based on a

NEW YORK-Eligard 7.5 mg (leuprolide acetate for injectable suspension) is now commercially available for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. announced in a news release. The new formulation of the

PRINCETON, New Jersey-Cytogen Corporation’s ProstaScint (capromab pendetide) is being evaluated in a phase I/II clinical study for its utility in helping guide intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer.

Sanofi-Synthelabo announced the commercial availability of Eligard (leuprolide acetate, 7.5 mg) for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer at the 2002 annual meeting of the American Urological Association. Recommended in the prostate

Prostate cancer represents the most common neoplasm and second leading cause of cancer mortality among men in the United States. There are 189,000 new cases of prostate cancer and 32,000 deaths resulting from prostate cancer expected in 2002.[1]

ATLANTA-Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be able to detect recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy when the patient has a negative biopsy but a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

Most Men Don’t Need Yearly PSA Screening: PLCO Study

SAN FRANCISCO-Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, can act together with the natural molecule TRAIL to increase apoptosis in androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer cells, researchers said at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (abstract 4237).

A study conducted by researchers at Duke University and Johns Hopkins Medical Centers and published in the journal Cancer (94:987-996) found that the use of indium-111-capromab pendetide (ProstaScint), a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody imaging agent, allowed identification of recurrent prostate cancer earlier than conventional imaging methods, such as the computed tomography (CT) scan. Prostate cancer recurs in nearly 40% of patients, and about 11% are at high risk for metastatic spread of the disease. Conventional imaging methods are often only able to detect a more advanced stage of prostate cancer.

NEW YORK-The final report of a phase II study suggests that the early addition of 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin, Acutane) to hormone therapy may enhance PSA responses in advanced androgen-dependent prostate cancer. Anna C. Ferrari, MD, of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, presented the results at the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium XIX (abstract 58).

Docetaxel (Taxotere)-based regimens can be included among the most effective treatment options for the management of patients with advanced, androgen-independent prostate cancer. Results with docetaxel as a single agent and in combination regimens with estramustine (Emcyt) have consistently achieved a palliative response, reduced serum PSA levels by 50% or more, and produced objective responses in patients with measurable disease. In addition, encouraging survival data have been demonstrated in several phase II trials.

Men underestimate their chance of developing prostate cancer even when they are considered "at risk" for the disease, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. The findings were

BALTIMORE-A single injection of FK506 (Prograf) or a similar immunophilin drug at the time of surgery might prevent impotence in men undergoing nerve-sparing prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer, according to preclinical work reported in Nature Medicine (7:1073-1074, 2001) by Sena F. Sezen, PhD, and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

WASHINGTON-Twice as many black as white men prefer not to know that they have prostate cancer, and two thirds believe that it is a "death sentence" with a treatment "worse than the disease," according to a study reported by Allyson Schifano, MPH, CHES, at the 8th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved, and Cancer.

PALO ALTO, California-Varian Medical Systems has released VariSeed 7.0, the company’s newest treatment planning software for permanent seed implant brachytherapy used in treating prostate cancer. VariSeed 7.0 gives physicians the ability to use real-time images generated during the implant procedure to deliver precise accurate doses, the company said in a news release.