National Cancer Institute®
Last Modified: October 1, 2002
1
UI - 12006245
AU - Nasu Y; Kusaka N; Saika T; Tsushima T; Kumon H
TI -
Suicide gene therapy for urogenital cancer: current outcome and
prospects.
SO - Mol Urol 2000 Summer;4(2):67-71
AD - Department of Urology, Okayama University Medical School, Shikata,
Okayama, Japan. ynasu@med.okayama-u.ac.jp
Viral-mediated transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase
(HSV-tk) gene has been demonstrated by several investigators to confer
sensitivity to nucleoside analogs such as ganciclovir (GCV) in a variety
of tumor cells including brain, prostate, bladder, kidney, ovary, head
and neck, lung, pancreas, and liver cancers. Fourteen suicide gene
clinical protocols using adenovirus vectors have been conducted,
including four in prostate cancer. Two additional protocols for prostate
cancer are in preparation in Japan and the Netherlands. A study
conducted at Baylor College of Medicine was the first to demonstrate the
safety of HSV-tk plus GCV therapy for human prostate cancer and the
anticancer activity of gene therapy in this disease. However, it is
still in the early stage of its development, with a number of problems
to be overcome. Systemic delivery, specific introduction, and specific
expression of the target gene are the major issues to be managed in
order to establish a clinically relevant treatment strategy.
2
UI - 12175403
AU - Green HJ; Pakenham KI; Headley BC; Yaxley J; Nicol DL; Mactaggart PN;
TI -
Swanson C; Watson RB; Gardiner RA
Altered cognitive function in men treated for prostate cancer with
luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues and cyproterone acetate:
a randomized controlled trial.
SO - BJU Int 2002 Sep;90(4):427-32
AD - School of Psychology and Department of Surgery, The University of
Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To report the first systematic investigation of the cognitive
effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues in
male patients, as LHRH analogues have been associated with memory
impairments in women using these drugs for gynaecological conditions.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two men with extraprostatic prostate cancer
were randomly assigned to receive either continuous leuprorelin,
goserelin (both LHRH analogues), cyproterone acetate (a steroidal
antiandrogen) or close clinical monitoring. These patients underwent
cognitive assessments at baseline and before starting treatment (77),
and then 6 months later (65). RESULTS: Compared with the baseline
assessments, men receiving androgen suppression monotherapy performed
worse in two of 12 tests of attention and memory; 24 of 50 men
randomized to active treatment and assessed 6 months later had a
clinically significant decline in one or more cognitive tests but not
one patient randomized to close monitoring showed a decline in any test
performance. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological androgen suppression
monotherapy for prostate cancer may be associated with impaired memory,
attention and executive functions.
3
UI - 12219014
AU - Moul JW; Wu H; Sun L; McLeod DG; Amling C; Lance R; Kusuda L; Donahue T;
TI -
Foley J; Chung A; Sexton W; Soderdahl D; Rich NM
Epidemiology of radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer in
the era of prostate-specific antigen: an overview of the Department of
Defense Center for Prostate Disease Research national database.
SO - Surgery 2002 Aug;132(2):213-9
AD - Urology Service, Dept of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center,
Washington, DC, USA.
BACKGROUND: Because of public awareness and screening, the incidence of
clinically localized prostate cancer has increased dramatically in the
last 15 years. The Department of Defense Center for Prostate Disease
Research (CPDR) was established by the US Congress in 1991 to study
prostate cancer in the US military health care system. A key component
of CPDR is a multicenter prospective and retrospective prostate research
database that collects comprehensive standardized data on all consenting
patients. To verify and document changes in the epidemiology of men
electing radical prostatectomy (RP) as primary treatment for their
localized prostate cancer, we undertook an analysis of such cases when
the PSA screening test became widely available and used. METHODS: The
CPDR database consists of standardized data collection forms for each
episode of care completed prospectively, and in some cases,
retrospectively, on men with prostate cancer and those undergoing a
prostate biopsy for presumed cancer at participating medical centers. In
December 31, 2000, was conducted, revealing 3681 cases for analysis from
9 hospital sites. These cases were analyzed over time (calendar year),
and changes in the characteristics of the patients, disease severity,
and surgical results were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant
shift to younger men undergoing RP with the median age declining to 62.3
years old by 2000, and more than 40% of the men were less than 60 years
old. There was an increase in African-Americans undergoing RP and a
large increase in clinical stage T1 disease candidates of both races
representing 56.5% of men by 2000. There was a large increase in
patients having pretreatment PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL (59.2% by
2000). Retropubic approach was predominant (over 80%) and was associated
with a much lower blood loss by 2000 (approximately 800 mL). There was
an increase in use of nerve-sparing procedures, and operative time
declined significantly to a median of 3.5 hours by 2000. Finally, there
was a marked surgical stage migration with a higher proportion of men
with organ-confined disease and negative surgical margins; by 2000,
63.4% had pT2 disease. The early outcomes improved with a 1-year
disease-free survival in excess of 93%. CONCLUSIONS: RP is being
performed more commonly on younger men with earlier stage disease in the
PSA era. The operation is now performed more rapidly with less blood
loss, and the surgical pathology outcome end points and early
disease-free survival are improved. These results portend well for
improved long-term outcomes of surgical therapy.
4
UI - 12240547
AU - Wiegel T; Bottke D; Bandlow P; Steiner U; Hinkelbein W
TI -
The value of PSA measurements at 30 Gy, 50 Gy and 60 Gy for dose
limitation in patients with radiotherapy for PSA increase after radical
prostatectomy.
SO - Strahlenther Onkol 2002 Aug;178(8):422-5
AD - Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Benjamin Franklin, Freie
Universitat Berlin, Germany. wiegel@ukbf.fu.berlin.de
BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy is a treatment option for patients with
rising PSA after radical prostatectomy without histological evidence of
local relapse and no signs of distant metastases. Prior to radiotherapy
there is no certainty whether a patient is going to respond to the
treatment or not. When total doses of more than 60 Gy are given there is
an exponential rise in treatment-related late toxicity. Therefore those
patients in whom radiotherapy later appears to be ineffective may
benefit from a dose restriction to 50-60 Gy. The aim of this study was
to examine the prognostic value of PSA levels evaluated during
radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 41 patients with rising PSA level
following prostatectomy received radiotherapy to the prostatic bed and
were treated up to a median dose of 66.6 Gy. We evaluated serum PSA
levels during radiotherapy at 30 Gy, 50 Gy, and 60 Gy and compared them
to the pre-radiotherapy PSA level and the outcome of radiotherapy.
RESULTS: After radiotherapy, 31 patients (76%) had either undetectable
(n = 15), or decreasing but still detectable PSA levels (n = 16) and ten
patients (24%) had rising PSA levels and did not respond. PSA evaluation
at 30 Gy showed that 26% (8/31) of those patients who would respond to
radiotherapy still had a rising PSA when compared to pretreatment PSA.
At 50 Gy and 60 Gy 93% (27/29) of these patients had decreasing PSA
levels. In contrast, 75% (6/8) and 88% (7/8) of those patients in whom
radiotherapy was not effective had rising PSA levels at 50 Gy and 60 Gy
(p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PSA measurements at 30 Gy, 50 Gy and 60 Gy for
radiotherapy of PSA increase following radical prostatectomy without
histologically proven local recurrence gives valuable information about
the later tumor response. Therefore it possibly gives the opportunity to
finish radiotherapy between 50 and 60 Gy, as almost all patients with
continued PSA increase at 60 Gy do not stand to profit from
radiotherapy. In these patients dose limitation would significantly
decrease the risk of late side effects, especially for the bladder and
the rectum. PSA evaluations at 30 Gy and 50 Gy or 60 Gy are
recommendable.
5
UI - 7045601
AU - Sheth AR; Panse GT
TI -
Can vasectomy reduce the incidence of prostatic tumor?
SO - Med Hypotheses 1982 Mar;8(3):237-41
Results from our laboratory have revealed that seminal plasma
concentration of acid phosphatase, maltase, prolactin, citric acid, zinc
and magnesium which are the secretory products of the prostate gland,
decreased significantly in vasectomized men compared to those in
controls namely normal fertile men. Further, it was observed that the
decrease in prostatic function was not related to the time since
vasectomy. Considering these two facts together, we propose that
vasectomy may lead to decrease in the incidence of prostatic tumors - a
disease that claims nearly 22,000 lives each year in the United States
alone.
6
UI - 3892453
AU - Beaumont V; Beaumont JL
TI -
[Immunogenicity of synthetic sex hormones and thrombogenesis]
SO - Pathol Biol (Paris) 1985 Apr;33(4):245-9
The ingestion of synthetic steroidal and non-steroidal estrogens may
induce antiestrogen antibodies in women on oral contraceptives, and in
prostatic patients treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES). Natural sex
hormones have no such effect. A radioimmunoassay with tritiated
ethinylestradiol or DES was applied to study the prevalence of synthetic
sex hormone antibodies in 2 populations: 100 women on estroprogestative
hormones and 93 cases of DES treated prostatic cancers. Homologous
non-treated controls were compared. Results allowed to identify among
treated and asymptomatic subjects an immunoreactive population of 30%
women and 47% men. Furthermore, the antibodies were found with a much
higher frequency (p less than 0.001) in patients who had experienced a
thromboembolic disease while on treatment: 90% of women and 74% of men.
The importance of these antibodies as a risk factor, their possible role
in promoting vascular lesions, the interest of their detection for the
prevention of the vascular risk induced by synthetic sex hormones, are
considered.
7
UI - 9176597
AU - Goodman NW
TI -
In the public's view...screening but not seeing.
SO - Br J Hosp Med 1997 Mar 5-18;57(5):201
AD - Department of Anaesthesia, Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
8
UI - 11956625
AU - Straub B; Muller M; Krause H; Goessl C; Schrader M; Heicappell R; Miller
TI -
K
Molecular staging of pelvic surgical margins after radical
prostatectomy: comparison of RT-PCR for prostate-specific antigen and
telomerase activity.
SO - Oncol Rep 2002 May-Jun;9(3):545-9
AD - Department of Urology, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universitat
Berlin, D-12200 Berlin, Germany. straub@medizin.fu-berlin.de
The further course of prostate cancer (PC) after radical prostatectomy
(RPX) is decisively influenced by the local tumor stage. Although it is
now possible to assess the risk of local recurrence from the
histopathology, precise predictions cannot be made. A more accurate
evaluation would be desirable, mainly for early planning of adjuvant
therapy. We assessed the detection of telomerase activity using the
Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol in surgical margins compared to
RT-PCR-supported prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA detection and
conventional histopathological examination. We examined 95 patients with
local PC during RPX and 16 patients with muscle-invasive transitional
bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy. After RPX or RCX
biopsies were obtained from 4 or 3 defined areas of the prostatic fossa
and processed by TRAP assay for telomerase activity and by RT-PCR for
PSA using a standard protocol. Five of 48 patients (10.4%) with
organ-confined prostate cancer (pT2) and 7 of 47 patients (14.9%) with
locally advanced PC (>pT2) had positive detection of telomerase activity
in at least one positive specimen. In contrast to RT-PCR for PSA mRNA
and histological findings for organ-confined and locally advanced
disease, detection of telomerase activity yielded no statistically
significant correlation to clinical parameters. Only PC-patients with
positive histopathological margins had a positive correlation between
detection of telomerase activity and high Gleason scores (r=0.65,
p=0.022). Based on the results obtained and the current state of
knowledge, measurement of telomerase activity must be considered less
sensitive than RT-PCR for PSA mRNA in surgical margins, although tumor
specificity should theoretically be higher. It is not even sure at the
present time whether a combination of both methods offers any
recognizable advantage over PSA mRNA detection alone. The value of the
results obtained in this study will have to be assessed in a further
follow-up to determine whether patients with positive molecular
detection have an increased risk of local recurrence.
9
UI - 12235008
AU - Kim IY; Kim BC; Seong do H; Lee DK; Seo JM; Hong YJ; Kim HT; Morton RA;
TI -
Kim SJ
Raloxifene, a mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist, induces apoptosis in
androgen-independent human prostate cancer cell lines.
SO - Cancer Res 2002 Sep 15;62(18):5365-9
AD - Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer
Institute/NIH, Building 41, Room C629, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD
20892, USA.
Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, is a mixed
estrogen agonist/antagonist that has been shown to prevent osteoporosis
and breast cancer in women. Because the prostate contains high levels of
ER-beta, the present study investigated the effect of raloxifene in
three well-characterized, androgen-independent human prostate cancer
cell lines: (a) PC3; (b) PC3M; and (c) DU145. Reverse transcriptase-PCR
and Western blot analysis for ER-alpha and ER-beta demonstrated that all
three cell lines express ER-beta, whereas only PC3 and PC3M cells were
positive for ER-alpha. After the treatment with raloxifene, a dramatic
increase in cell death was observed in a dose-dependent manner in the
three prostate cancer cell lines (10(-9) to 10(-6) M range). Because the
three prostate cancer cell lines demonstrated similar morphological
changes after the raloxifene treatment, PC3 (ER-alpha/ER-beta+) and
DU145 (ER-beta+ only) cells were selected to further characterize the
raloxifene-induced cell death. Using the nucleus-specific stain
4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, nuclear fragmentation was observed in a
time-dependent manner in both cell lines after exposure to 10(-6) M
raloxifene. Using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated
nick end labeling apoptotic assay, it was demonstrated that the nuclear
fragmentation was caused by apoptosis. To investigate the possibility
that caspase activation is involved in raloxifene-induced apoptosis,
cells were treated with the pan-caspase inhibitor ZVAD. The results
demonstrated that the dramatic change in cellular morphology after
treatment with raloxifene was no longer observed when cells were
pretreated with ZVAD. Immunoblot demonstrated activation of caspases 8
and 9 in PC3 and DU145 cells, respectively. Taken together, these
results demonstrate that the mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist,
raloxifene, induces apoptosis in androgen-independent human prostate
cancer cell lines.
10
UI - 12353966
AU - Bennett CL; Raisch DW; Sartor O
TI -
Pneumonitis associated with nonsteroidal antiandrogens: presumptive
evidence of a class effect.
SO - Ann Intern Med 2002 Oct 1;137(7):625
11
UI - 8777510
AU - Clarke NW
TI -
The management of localized prostate cancer.
SO - Br J Hosp Med 1996 Mar 6-19;55(5):232-3
12
UI - 12118388
AU - Zelefsky MJ; Fuks Z; Leibel SA
TI -
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
SO - Semin Radiat Oncol 2002 Jul;12(3):229-37
AD - Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. Zelefskm@mskcc.org
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) represents a new paradigm
in radiation treatment planning and delivery for treatment of prostate
cancer with enormous potential. Preliminary data indicate that this
highly conformal treatment technique can effectively reduce acute and
late-occurring toxicities, improving the quality of life of the treated
patient and serving as the optimal dose escalation tool. IMRT produces
radiation distributions capable of delivering different dose
prescriptions to multiple target sites, providing a new opportunity for
differential dose painting to increase the dose selectively to specific,
image-defined regions within the prostate. Clinical trials will be
necessary to define more clearly the true extent of improved tumor
control and reduction in normal tissue complications with IMRT in the
treatment of prostate cancer. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA).
All rights reserved.
13
UI - 12240487
AU - Stipetich RL; Abel LJ; Blatt HJ; Galbreath RW; Lief JH; Butler WM;
TI -
Merrick GS
Nursing assessment of sexual function following permanent prostate
brachytherapy for patients with early-stage prostate cancer.
SO - Clin J Oncol Nurs 2002 Sep-Oct;6(5):271-4
AD - schifonc@wheelinghosp.com
Assessment of sexual function following potentially curative local
treatment for carcinoma of the prostate gland has resulted in wide
ranges of potency preservation rates, which may be because of
differences in the evaluated patient populations, mode of data
collection, and length of patient follow-up. Quality-of-life data are
most reliable when obtained by patient-administered and validated
quality-of-life instruments. In the Schiffler Cancer Center's prostate
brachytherapy unit, healthcare professionals utilize the specific
erectile questions of the International Index of Erectile Function to
ascertain pre- and post-treatment erectile function. Documentation of
sexual function following all local treatments, including prostate
brachytherapy, may help to clarify the etiology of treatment-induced
erectile dysfunction (ED), improve treatment for ED, and, ultimately,
improve quality-of-life outcomes. Fortunately, the majority of patients
with brachytherapy-induced ED respond favorably to sildenafil citrate.
14
UI - 12355941
AU - Hinotsu S; Akaza H
TI -
[Urology]
SO - Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2002 Sep;29(9):1549-69
AD - Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of
Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
We reviewed comparative clinical studies for prostate cancer and bladder
cancer performed in Japan. A systematic search was done using PubMed and
Icyushi WEB to find randomized clinical trials and the result was
verified. Each manuscript was summarized according to the seven items of
stage, entry period, exposure, endpoint, sample size, method of
randomization and result. Forty reports were found as randomized
clinical trials for prostate cancer, and sixty-two reports were
identified for bladder cancer. Most exposures for advanced prostate
cancer were hormonal therapy involving intravesical instillation after
transurethral resection for superficial bladder cancer. At minimum, we
have clarified that large scale randomized trials have been conducted in
Japan for both prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
15
UI - 12031864
AU - Morris MJ; Scher HI
TI -
Novel therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer: current clinical
trials and development strategies.
SO - Surg Oncol 2002 Jun;11(1-2):13-23
AD - Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 444, New York, NY 10021, USA.
morrism@mskcc.org
The number of treatment options for patients with prostate cancer is
expanding, as mechanism-based therapies enter clinical testing. Such
strategies are based on manipulating tumoral genetics, cell signaling,
apoptosis, angiogenesis, the immune system, and others. To properly
develop these agents, traditional trial designs and outcome measures
require reconsideration. This review describes these novel drugs and
their targets using a clinical states model. Investigators use a
clinical states model as a framework for matching specific agents with
the needs of the treatment population and the biology of the tumor at
any given point in the natural history of the disease.
16
UI - 12031865
AU - Pedley ID
TI -
Transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy for
carcinoma of the prostate.
SO - Surg Oncol 2002 Jun;11(1-2):25-34
AD - Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, Newcastle General Hospital,
Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 6BE, UK.
ian.pedley@nuth.northy.nhs.uk
17
UI - 10761263
AU - See A; Kron T; Johansen J; Hamilton C; Bydder SA; Hawkins J; Roff M;
TI -
Denham JW
Decision-making models in the analysis of portal films: a clinical pilot
study.
SO - Australas Radiol 2000 Feb;44(1):72-83
AD - Department of Radiation Oncology, Newcastle Mater Misericordiae
Hospital, Waratah, New South Wales, Australia.
Portal films continue to play an important role in the verification of
radiotherapy treatment. There is still some discussion, however, as to
what action should be taken after a port film has shown a radiation
field deviation from the prescribed volume. It was the aim of the
present pilot study to investigate the performance of three
decision-making models ('Amsterdam', 'Quebec' and 'Newcastle') and an
expert panel basing their decision on intuition rather than formal rules
after portal film acquisition in a clinical setting. Portal films were
acquired on every day during the first week of treatment for five head
and neck and five prostate cancer patients (diagnostic phase). If
required, the field position was modified according to our normal
practice following the recommendation of the expert panel. In order to
analyse the results of the models, however, additional port films were
taken in the following 3 treatment weeks with the patient moved as
required by the different models (intervention phase). The portal films
were taken over 4 consecutive days, positioning the patient according to
each of the different models on one day each. None of the models
diagnosed a field misplacement in the head and neck patients, while the
'Amsterdam' and 'Quebec' models predicted a move in one prostate
patient. The 'Newcastle' model, which is based on Hotelling's T2
statistic, proved to be more sensitive and diagnosed a systematic
displacement for three prostate patients. The intervention phase
confirmed the diagnosis of the model, even if the three portal films
taken with the patient position adjusted as required by the model proved
to be insufficient to demonstrate an improvement. The 'Newcastle' model
does not rely on assumptions about the random movement of patients and
requires five portal films before a decision can be reached. This
approach lends itself well to incorporation into electronic portal
imaging 'packages', where repeated image acquisitions present no
logistical difficulty.
18
UI - 12136225
AU - Kim Y; Roscoe JA; Morrow GR
TI -
The effects of information and negative affect on severity of side
effects from radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
SO - Support Care Cancer 2002 Jul;10(5):416-21
AD - Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1130, New
York, NY 10029-6574, USA. youngmee.kim@mssm.edu
A randomized clinical trial with 152 patients was conducted to examine
the effects of an informational intervention on the severity of side
effects resulting from radiation therapy for prostate cancer. We also
examined negative affect both as a predictor and as an outcome variable.
The informational intervention, given to patients at the first and fifth
treatments, was based upon self-regulation theory and provided patients
with specific, objective information about what to expect during their
radiation treatments. Patients in the comparison group received general
information at the same point in time. Negative affect was measured
using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) prior to the intervention and at
the last treatment. The severity of side effects for each individual was
assessed at their last treatment. The results showed that patients in
the informational intervention group reported significantly fewer
problems with sleep and less fatigue (marginally significant) than those
in the comparison group. Negative affect was not influenced by group
assignment. Baseline negative affect was not related to symptom
development, although the development of side effects was associated
with an increase in negative mood. The results suggest that patients
could benefit from increased knowledge about what to expect during their
radiation treatments.
19
UI - 12237913
AU - Potters L; Purrazzella R; Brustein S; Fearn P; Leibel SA; Kattan MW
TI -
A comprehensive and novel predictive modeling technique using detailed
pathology factors in men with localized prostate carcinoma.
SO - Cancer 2002 Oct 1;95(7):1451-6
AD - Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
at Mercy Medical Center, Rockville Centre, New York 11570, USA.
PottersL@mskcc.org
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate modeling
strategies using sextant core prostate biopsy specimen data that would
best predict biochemical control in patients with localized prostate
carcinoma treated with permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB). METHODS:
One thousand four hundred seventy-seven patients underwent PPB between
1992 and 2000. The authors restricted analysis to those patients who had
sextant biopsies (n = 1073). A central pathology review was undertaken
on all specimens. Treatment consisted of PPB with either I-125 or Pd-103
prescribed to 144 Gy or 140 Gy, respectively. Two hundred twenty-eight
patients (21%) received PPB in combination with external radiotherapy
and 333 patients (31%) received neoadjuvant hormones. In addition to
clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, and pretreatment prostate specific
antigen (pretx-PSA), the following detailed biopsy variables were
considered: mean percentage of cancer in an involved core; maximum
percentage of cancer; mean primary and secondary Gleason grades; maximum
Gleason grade (primary or secondary); percentage of cancer in the apex,
mid, and base; percent of cores positive; maximum primary and secondary
Gleason grades in apex, mid, and base; maximum percent cancer in apex,
mid, and base; maximum Gleason grade in apex, mid, and base; maximum
primary Gleason grade; and maximum secondary Gleason grade. In all, 23
biopsy variables were considered. Four modeling strategies were
compared. As a base model, the authors considered the pretx-PSA,
clinical stage, and biopsy Gleason sum as predictors. For the second
model, the authors added percent of cores positive. The third modeling
strategy was to use stepwise variable selection to select only those
variables (from the total pool of 26) that were statistically
significant. The fourth strategy was to apply principal components
analysis, which has theoretical advantages over the other strategies.
Principal components analysis creates component scores that account for
maximum variance in the predictors. RESULTS: The median followup of the
study cohort was 36 months (range, 6-92), and the Kattan modification of
the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
definition was used to define PSA freedom from recurrence (PSA-FFR). The
four models were compared in their ability to predict PSA-FFR as
measured by the Somers D rank correlation coefficient. The Somers D rank
correlation coefficients were then corrected for optimism with use of
bootstrapping. The results for the four models were 0.32, 0.34, 0.37,
and 0.39, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that the
use of principal components analysis with additional pathology data is a
more discriminating model in predicting outcome in prostate carcinoma
than other conventional methods and can also be used to model outcome
predictions for patients treated with radical prostatectomy and external
beam. Copyright 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10869
20
UI - 12002354
AU - Aus G; Adolfsson J; Selli C; Widmark A
TI -
Treatment of patients with clinical T3 prostate cancer.
SO - Scand J Urol Nephrol 2002 Feb;36(1):28-33
AD - Department of Urology, Ryhov Hospital, Jonkoping, Sweden.
gunnar.aus@ryhov.ltjkpg.se
OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate treatment alternatives for patients
with clinical T3 prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature
review with main focus on recent studies in order to include the impact
of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The possibility of using
neoadjuvant/adjuvant hormonal therapy in combination with surgery or
radiation was assessed. Results were related to life expectancy, tumour
grade and serum PSA. RESULTS: M and N-staging is mandatory before
treatment with curative intent. Watchful waiting is an option for
selected patients but early hormonal therapy seems to offer some
survival advantages. Standard 65-70Gy external beam radiation is not
sufficient for these patients with extracapsular disease but better
results are obtained with dose-escalation (beyond 70Gy) and/or adjuvant
hormonal therapy. Radical prostatectomy may be an option for patients
with long life expectancy and "early" tumours, neoadjuvant hormonal
withdrawal is of no proven value. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a long life
expectancy should not be denied treatment with curative intent solely
based on the finding of extracapsular disease.
21
UI - 12002355
AU - Fossa SD; Vaage S; Letocha H; Iversen J; Risberg T; Johannessen DC; Paus
TI -
E; Smedsrud T; Norwegian Urological Cancer Group
Liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in symptomatic androgen-independent
prostate cancer (AIPC)--delayed response and flare phenomenon should be
considered.
SO - Scand J Urol Nephrol 2002 Feb;36(1):34-9
AD - Department of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, The Norwegian Radium
Hospital, Montebello, Oslo. s.d.fossa@klinmed.uio.no
BACKGROUND: Compared with the native drug, liposomal PEG-coated
doxorubicin (Caelyx) enhances tumour activity and reduces toxicity. The
formulation may therefore be beneficial in anthracycline-sensitive
malignancies, where toxicity represents a major problem, as is the case
in androgen-insensitive prostate cancer (AIPC). METHODS: In a
multi-centre design 28 patients with advanced AIPC received Caelyx 40
mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion every month. PSA-based biochemical and
subjective response was recorded. RESULTS: Three patients had
biochemical responses, a subjective response was recorded in a fourth
patient. No Grade 4 toxicity was encountered. Three patients developed a
spontaneously recovering plantar-palmar erythema. In 3 of the 4
responding patients, the nadir PSA value was noted after 12 and 16
weeks, respectively. A possible flare phenomenon for PSA was evident in
4 patients. CONCLUSION: Caelyx has limited activity in advanced AIPC.
Due to its low toxicity profile the drug may be a worthwhile component
of combination treatment of this chemotherapy-resistant condition. In
general, clinicians should be aware of possible delay in PSA response as
well as possible flare phenomenon during investigational systemic
treatment of AIPC. Furthermore, standardization of blood sampling and
PSA analyses are necessary in future therapeutic trials of AIPC.
22
UI - 12199018
AU - Scobie B
TI -
Cancer flourishes.
SO - N Z Med J 2002 Jun 21;115(1156):304
23
UI - 12230706
AU - Michaelson D; Talcott J; Smith M
TI -
Prostate cancer: metastatic.
SO - Clin Evid 2002 Jun;(7):804-11
AD - Massachusetts General Hosptial, Boston, USA.
24
UI - 12230707
AU - Wilt T
TI -
Prostate cancer: non-metastatic.
SO - Clin Evid 2002 Jun;(7):812-23
AD - VA Coordinating Center for the Cochrane Review Group in Prostate
Diseases, Urologic Malignancies and the Center for Chronic Diseases
Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Hospital, Minneapolis, USA.
25
UI - 11792913
AU - Scherr D; Pitts WR Jr; Vaughn ED Jr
TI -
Diethylstilbesterol revisited: androgen deprivation, osteoporosis and
prostate cancer.
SO - J Urol 2002 Feb;167(2 Pt 1):535-8
AD - Department of Urology, The New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell
Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
PURPOSE: It is well described in the urological literature that androgen
deprivation can result in accelerated bone breakdown and osteoporosis.
Therefore, we evaluate the degree of bone breakdown in patients on
conventional androgen deprivation with those on diethylstilbesterol
alone or in conjunction with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
agonists or orchiectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During an 18-month
period a total of 54 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer
and 24 with benign prostatic hyperplasia were evaluated. All patients
with prostate cancer were either treated with external beam radiotherapy
without androgen deprivation or were started on androgen deprivation
therapy. All patients were prospectively followed and evaluated for
serum testosterone and estradiol along with urinary collagen type I
cross-linked N-telopeptides. Three separate morning urine samples on 3
separate months were collected on each patient and analyzed for
N-telopeptides. To correct for different levels of renal function, all
N-telopeptides were measured as a ratio of urinary N-telopeptides/urine
creatinine. All patients with any bone or skeletal abnormalities were
excluded from study as were those with osseous metastatic disease.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) higher level
of urinary N-telopeptides/creatinine in patients on androgen deprivation
therapy who were not treated with diethylstilbesterol. The estrogenic
effect of diethylstilbesterol protects one from bone resorption.
Patients on diethylstilbesterol did not have any higher levels of bone
breakdown than patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or those who
never received any androgen deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid bone
turnover and resorption can be prevented with 1 mg. diethylstilbesterol
alone or in conjunction with other modes of androgen deprivation.
Therefore, diethylstilbesterol should be considered as monotherpy in men
who require long-term antiandrogen therapy.
26
UI - 11978173
AU - de Lemos ML
TI -
Herbal supplement PC-Spes for prostate cancer.
SO - Ann Pharmacother 2002 May;36(5):921-6
AD - Provincial Systemic Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600
W. 10th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 4E6, British Columbia, Canada.
mdelemos@bccancer.bc.ca
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and toxicity of the herbal
supplement PC-Spes in prostate cancer patients. METHODS: Literature
the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(1995-2001). RESULTS: PC-Spes was associated with biochemical and
clinical response in some prostate cancer patients. The mechanisms of
action of PC-Spes appeared to be related to its estrogenic activity.
CONCLUSIONS: PC-Spes is associated with some efficacy in prostate cancer
patients. Due to the limited data available, it should not be used to
replace standard androgen suppression therapy in androgen-dependent
patients. PC-Spes may have a role for patients who have failed standard
treatments for androgen-independent disease and have no history of
thromboembolism or abnormal bleeding. PC-Spes has a toxicity profile
similar to those of androgen suppression and estrogen therapy.
27
UI - 12185298
AU - Goodin S; Rao KV; DiPaola RS
TI -
State-of-the-art treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate
cancer.
SO - Oncologist 2002;7(4):360-70
AD - The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901,
USA.
Initial therapy for advanced prostate cancer includes androgen ablation
by surgical or medical castration. Still, nearly all men with metastases
will progress to hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Current U.S.
Food and Drug Administration-approved agents for the treatment of HRPC
include mitoxantrone and estramustine, although the vinca alkaloids and
the taxanes have shown promising activity in single-agent phase II
trials. Combinations of these agents induce a biochemical response in
greater than 50% of patients, but the median duration of response is
approximately 6 months. Overall survival of patients treated with these
combinations is approximately 18-24 months. Studies are ongoing to
develop novel therapies that target specific molecular pathways or
mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance. Novel agents under development
include growth factor receptor inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides,
bisphosphonates, and cell differentiating agents. Evaluation and
incorporation of these agents into existing treatment regimens will
guide us in the development of more active regimens in the treatment of
HRPC.
28
UI - 12228757
AU - Patterson SG; Balducci L; Pow-Sang JM
TI -
Controversies surrounding androgen deprivation for prostate cancer.
SO - Cancer Control 2002 Jul-Aug;9(4):315-25
AD - Genitourinary Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research
Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. pattersg@moffitt.usf.edu
BACKGROUND: Management of metastatic prostate cancer continues to
evolve. The widespread use of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay
has led to earlier diagnosis and earlier detection of recurrent disease.
Debates continue regarding the proper use and timing of endocrine
therapy with orchiectomy, estrogen agonists, luteinizing
hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs, LHRH antagonists, and androgen
antagonists. METHODS: The authors reviewed the significant published
materials of the last 20 years that have shaped hormonal management of
metastatic and progressive prostate cancer. Major areas of controversy
were also identified. RESULTS: The present approach to hormonal
management is summarized. Five potential pathways to the development of
androgen-independent prostate cancer are described. Controversial topics
of hormonal management, including immediate vs delayed hormonal therapy,
monotherapy vs maximal androgen blockade (MAB), and intermittent
hormonal therapy, are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Orchiectomy, estrogen
agonists, and LHRH analogs have therapeutic equivalence. Patients who
have a rising PSA after definitive treatment for prostate cancer and
high risk of recurrent disease may warrant early androgen deprivation.
MAB does not appear to be significantly better than single-agent LHRH
analog therapy. Intermittent therapy may delay emergence of androgen
independence and maintain or improve quality of life.
29
UI - 12352408
AU - Gretzer MB; Trock BJ; Han M; Walsh PC
TI -
A critical analysis of the interpretation of biochemical failure in
surgically treated patients using the American Society for Therapeutic
Radiation and Oncology criteria.
SO - J Urol 2002 Oct;168(4 Pt 1):1419-22
AD - The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins
University Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
PURPOSE: The use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) to indicate
biochemical failure has become an accepted procedure to measure the
effectiveness of therapy. Because long-term randomized studies comparing
radiation modalities to radical prostatectomy are not available, use of
biochemical recurrence as a surrogate measure of efficacy is increasing.
Unfortunately, the definition of failure is not uniform among therapies.
We evaluate how the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and
Oncology (ASTRO) criteria affect the interpretation of failure when
applied to radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
retrospectively reviewed data from 2,691 men who underwent anatomical
radical prostatectomy for localized disease between 1985 and 2000. All
patients had regular followup visits ranging from 6 months to 15 years
(mean 6). No patients were treated with radiation or hormonal therapy
preoperatively or postoperatively until clinical recurrence. Biochemical
failure was defined as any measurable PSA 0.2 ng./ml. or greater. We
evaluated how elements of the ASTRO criteria affected the failure rate
when applied to this series. We looked at 1) backdating the failure date
to the midpoint between nadir and first PSA greater than 0.2 ng./ml., 2)
early censoring if only 1 or 2 increasing values were available and 3)
defining failure after 3 consecutive PSA increases and backdating
failure time (midpoint of nadir and first PSA increase). RESULTS: Using
actuarial analysis of the data defining failure as the first PSA 0.2
ng./ml. or greater, biochemical freedom from failure at 5, 10 and 15
years was 85%, 77% and 68%, respectively. In contrast, when backdating
was used in this series, almost all failures occurred early with rare
late failures (freedom from failure 82%, 80% and 80% at 5, 10 and 15
years, respectively). The difference in failure became even more
pronounced when ASTRO criteria were applied requiring 3 consecutive
increases, and backdating failure to the midpoint between nadir and
first PSA (freedom from failure 90%, 90% and 90% at 5, 10 and 15 years,
respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The application of ASTRO criteria to a
mature series of surgically treated patients with localized prostate
cancer produced an apparent improvement in the probability of being
biochemically free of disease at 15 years from 68% to 90%. Until
prospective trials comparing these different therapies become available,
caution should be exercised when interpreting outcomes between series
due to the inherent differences in definition of biochemical failure.