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Atlanta-Initial results with neoadjuvant celecoxib (Celebrex) strongly suggest that this may be a promising agent in the management of patients with early localized prostate cancer, British researchers reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

Atlanta-A trial of drug regimens in hormone-refractory prostate cancer came up with only modest results, but it did take an important first step: It is one of the first prospective trials conducted in taxane-refractory disease.

Atlanta-Neoadjuvant docetaxel added to androgen suppression therapy and radiation therapy appears to be safe and active in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer, according to findings of a new phase II study from Canada reported here at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

Atlanta-PSA doubling time (PSADT) appears to have limitations as a predictor of treatment outcome, according to results of a phase II, placebo-controlled trial of atrasentan (Xinlay) in patients with early-stage, hormone-naive prostate cancer. Researchers found that both placebo and drug recipients showed an extended PSADT of similar length.

Atlanta-The ability to detect lymph node invasion (LNI) in men undergoing radical prostatectomy relates directly to the extensiveness of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), a review of a large clinical series suggests.

Atlanta-The prostate cancer staging benefits of an extensive pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) come at a price of a significantly increased risk of complications and a significantly longer hospitalization.

Atlanta-Positive surgical margin rates decrease as experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) increases. In addition, formal laparoscopic training may not be necessary for optimizing some outcomes with the robotic procedure, according to the findings of two new studies presented here at the AUA annual meeting.

Atlanta-Results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) showing treatment with the type 2-specific 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride (Proscar) reduced the incidence of prostate cancer, but was associated with increased detection of high-grade cancers has prompted additional research on the association among prostate cancer detection, cancer grade, and prostate volume.

Atlanta-Men with smaller prostate glands appear to be more likely to develop prostate cancer and have higher Gleason sum disease than are men with larger prostates, according to the results of a new prospective analysis.

Atlanta-Are nanobacteria involved in prostate disease? That question hasn't been settled, but evidence of these controversial organisms has been found in the prostates and serum of men with prostatic inflammation.

Atlanta-Because prostatitis in African-American men is not well studied, University of Michigan researchers examined the prevalence and risk factors in African-American men in Genessee County, MI, with a surprising result. On the whole, the risk factors matched those reported for Caucasian populations, but men who were physically active had significantly decreased odds of having prostatitis in a study presented at the AUA annual meeting.

Within the past year, enormous strides have been made in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, particularly in the pharmacotherapeutic arena. To date, two new drugs have received FDA approval, and other promising agents are in development. As research provides new insights into the nature of RCC and its treatment, the role of the urologist in patient management is evolving quickly.

Surgery has greater impact on urinary function;......radiation therapy, on bowel function

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American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc. added the AdVance Male Sling to its line of male continence products.

Through the production of vitamin D, ultraviolet B radiation reduces the risk of bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer and 13 other types of cancers, according to a recently published epidemiologic study.

Shortened survival and earlier relapse have been reported in men with advanced prostate cancer whose hemoglobin levels decline during the first 3 months of hormone therapy, according to a study published in Cancer (2006; 107:489-96).

Bone scans may no longer be necessary as follow-up in patients with PSA levels less than 5.0 ng/mL, researchers reported in the Journal of Urology (2006; 176:70-4).

Survival rates appear to be better in patients with clinical T4 prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy than in patients receiving only radiation therapy or hormone therapy, according to a study by researchers at Emory University in Atlanta.

If the fatty acid ratio found in the typical Western diet is changed to include more omega-3 fatty acids and fewer omega-6 fatty acids, then prostate cancer tumor growth rates and PSA levels may decrease, according to a preclinical study published recently in Clinical Cancer Research (2006; 12:4662-70).

Atlanta-A lithotripter with a broad focal spot is advantageous for accelerating stone fracture, said Robin O. Cleveland, PhD, at the AUA annual meeting here.

Studies of laparoscopic nephrectomy presented at the AUA annual meeting suggest that the minimally invasive procedure has come of age and produces outcomes that rival open surgery under a variety of circumstances.

Atlanta-Just breathe. Could that be the key to easing interstitial cystitis pain?

Horsham, PA-Biocoat, Inc. has received FDA approval of the PICSI sperm selection device to facilitate assisted reproduction.

Atlanta-Results of a prospective, multivariate analysis to identify predictors of perioperative course and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for extensive stone disease support the conclusions that in high-volume centers, the safety and efficacy of the procedure are excellent and that they are not significantly influenced by patient-related or sociocultural/ethnic factors.

Atlanta-Bladder antigens travel to local and distant lymphoid tissues and enter the circulation, where they can travel as far as the spleen, according to results of a new study from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago. The study, which the authors say is the first functional study of antigen trafficking from the bladder, may further researchers' understanding of bladder cancer immunotherapies and potentially aid in the development of a vaccine for urinary tract infections.

Atlanta-Evading host immune response may enable uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) to establish reservoirs in the bladder that lead to recurrent urinary tract infections, according to David Klumpp, PhD, assistant professor of urology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago.