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Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada--The sensitivity of several MRI techniques in diagnosing prostate cancer is problematic, but two techniques, diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, appear promising.

Boston--Men with localized prostate cancer have a lower risk of biochemical failure after receiving high-dose radiation versus conventional-dose conformal radiation. Moreover, the benefit from the higher-dose treatment, using a modern approach to radiation delivery, comes without an increase in serious urinary or rectal morbidity, according to a new study.

Scottsdale, AZ--Injecting botulinum toxin A (Botox) into the prostate gland shows potential for providing a quick, easy, and safe treatment option for men with lower urinary tract symptoms related to BPH, but two small studies—one from the United States and Chile, and one from Italy—provided equivocal results regarding the efficacy of this investigational approach. While the Italian data showed significant decreases in International Prostate Symptom Score and prostate size with botulinum toxin, U.S. researchers were unable to duplicate these results. Both studies were presented at the AUA annual meeting in San Antonio.

Increasingly, physicians look to the use of biomarkers as precursors of various cancers, including bladder cancer, and rely on them to some degree to guide diagnosis and treatment decisions. However, the science of biomarkers as diagnostics is still in its infancy, and their clinical use has some limitations. In this interview, Michael A. O'Donnell, MD, discusses developments in marker tests and how they compare with cystoscopy and cytology in the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Rochester, NY--Use of the daVinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) for radical prostatectomy procedures is not currently profitable, but it has the potential to become profitable, according to two studies presented at the AUA annual meeting. However, the studies' authors say that the costs associated with robotic procedures must eventually come down because the technology is here to stay.

The Nevada Cancer Institute has opened its flagship research and care center in Las Vegas.

Patients who receive a kidney transplant are nearly four times more likely than the general population to develop melanoma, according to a study conducted at Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA.

Men treated with photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the GreenLight laser system (Laserscope, San Jose, CA) for obstructive BPH achieve significant improvements in symptomatic and urodynamic outcomes at 5 years, according to a recently published study (J Urol 2005; 174:1344-8).

Dendreon Corp. said it plans to submit a biologics license application to the FDA to market APC8015 (Provenge), an investigational immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

In a study confirming other recent research, researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston have found that the speed of PSA rise following treatment with hormone and radiation therapies can help predict survival in prostate cancer patients.

Scientists at 13 research centers have identified a gene mutation that may increase the risk of prostate cancer up to three times in African-American men with a family history of the disease.

A combination of samarium SM-153 lexidronam injection (Quadramet) and docetaxel (Taxotere) appears to reduce PSA levels in patients with progressive hormone-refractory prostate cancer, according to a phase II study involving 29 patients.

Urologist Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, director of the National Cancer Institute, has been named by President Bush to assume the role of acting commissioner of the FDA.

These procedures can be performed with or without concomitant hysterectomy or continence procedures.

Minneapolis— Uroplasty, Inc., has received 510(k) premarket clearance from FDA for I-STOP, a biocompatible, polypropylene, tension-free, midurethral sling for treatment of female urinary incontinence.

San Francisco--The average combined time necessary for both human spermatogenesis and epididymal transit time is only 64 days, according to a study using a novel in vivo, noninvasive isotope labeling method.

Baltimore--An oversupply of O-GlcNAc, a blood sugar present in hyperglycemic circumstances, is a major cause of diabetes-related erectile dysfunction, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2005; 102:11870-5).

Montreal--The first report of improved sperm DNA integrity after specific surgical therapy was presented at the AUA annual meeting in San Antonio. Although the cohort was small and the statistical significance slim, the study's authors say the data support the beneficial effect of varicocelectomy on human spermatogenesis.

Mountain View, CA--Apparently avoiding problems with a potentially common drug combination, the investigational premature ejaculation therapy dapoxetine does not interact with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors, according to results of a clinical pharmacokinetics study.

Hamburg, Germany--Serious male cycling enthusiasts might want to consider taking a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor prior to a long ride to prevent pressure-induced hypo-oxygenation of the penis, according to German researchers.

Denver--Studies in recent years have shown a strong correlation between lower urinary tract symptom severity and erectile dysfunction, but there have also been contradictory reports on the effect of BPH medications on sexual health.

The lower infection rate seen in these cases was impressive.

Two significant trends are having an impact on most urology practices today. First, most practices, including my own, are experiencing a decrease in reimbursement and rising overhead expenses. This ultimately translates to a decrease in net income.

Shreveport, LA--Antiseptic lavage after removal of a penile prosthesis significantly reduces the risk of infection associated with revision surgery, report the authors of a multicenter study.

AUA recently made a number of key appointments to its staff and board of directors, and the association is examining how it will adapt to changes in physician education, board certification, and training. In this exclusive interview, Joseph N. Corriere, Jr, MD, whose 1-year term as AUA president began in May, discusses these initiatives as well as a number of socioeconomic issues currently affecting practicing urologists. Dr. Corriere is professor of urology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. The interview was conducted by UT Editorial Consultant Richard D. Williams, MD, professor and chairman of the department of urology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Baltimore--Researchers at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins have identified three risk factors that help determine whether a patient's risk of death from recurrent prostate cancer is high or low following surgery. This insight will help urologists to better determine whether aggressive or conservative treatment is best for many patients, according to the authors of the study, published in JAMA (2005; 294:433-9).

Half of men who suffer from late-stage prostate cancer would consider chemotherapy a treatment option, and 65% believe the impact on quality of life outweighs its benefit, according to a new survey released by Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network.

The National Cancer Institute said it is providing a number of resources to enable cancer care and research to continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The FDA's Oncology Drug Advisory Committee has not recommended approval of atrasentan (Xinlay), an oral agent for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Men with localized prostate cancer who receive high-dose external radiation therapy are less likely to have cancer recurrence than those who receive conventional-dose radiation therapy, according to a randomized study published in JAMA (2005; 294:1233-9).