A Systematic Review of the Emerging Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Will Combination Strategies Improve Efficacy?
Abstract Context The role of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in the treatment of prostate cancer (PC) still remains elusive. It has been proposed that combination of ICI with other molecules increases the efficacy of immunotherapy in PC. Objective To systematically review the literature to assess the potential role of ICI in combination with additional therapies for the management of metastatic castration-resistant PC (mCRPC). Evidence acquisition A systematic review using Medline and scientific meeting records was carried out in September 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses guidelines. Ongoing trials of immunotherapy with standard mCRP…
Radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy: what has changed over time?
The role and timing of radiotherapy (RT) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) remains controversial. While recent trials support the oncological safety of early salvage RT (SRT) compared to adjuvant RT (ART) in selected patients, previous randomized studies demonstrated that ART might improve recurrence-free survival in patients at high risk for local recurrence based on adverse pathology. Although ART might improve survival, this approach is characterized by a risk of overtreatment in up to 40% of cases. SRT is defined as the administration of RT to the prostatic bed and to the surrounding tissues in the patient with PSA recurrence after surgery but no …
Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Complications and Their Treatment
Focal therapy is a modern alternative to selectively treat a specific part of the prostate harboring clinically significant disease while preserving the rest of the gland. The aim of this therapeutic approach is to retain the oncological benefit of active treatment and to minimize the side-effects of common radical treatments. The oncological effectiveness of focal therapy is yet to be proven in long-term robust trials. In contrast, the toxicity profile is well-established in randomized controlled trials and multiple robust prospective cohort studies. This narrative review summarizes the relevant evidence on complications and their management after focal therapy. When compared to whole glan…
Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review
Abstract Context The assessment of “soft” endpoints such as health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is increasingly relevant when evaluating the optimal treatment sequence of novel therapeutic options in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Objective To systematically review contemporary data regarding HRQOL outcomes in patients with advanced PCa. Evidence acquisition A systematic review of the literature published between January 2011 and March 2019 was performed using the PubMed/Medline Database. In total, 873 articles were screened, and 14 articles including 12 661 patients were selected for synthesis and included in the current analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items…
Initial Experience with Radical Prostatectomy Following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate
Background: Although an increasing number of prostate cancer (PCa) patients received holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) previously for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), there is still no evidence regarding the outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) in this setting. Objective: To assess functional and oncological results of RP in PCa patients who received HoLEP for BPO previously in a contemporary multi-institutional cohort. Design, setting, and participants: A total of 95 patients who underwent RP between 2011 and 2019 and had a history of HoLEP were identified in two institutions. Functional as well as oncological follow-up was prospectively assessed and retrospectively an…
Aggressive variants of prostate cancer – Are we ready to apply specific treatment right now?
Recently, adoption of novel drugs for systemic treatment of metastatic prostate cancer has led to a striking improvement of response rate and survival in both hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant disease. In most cases, prostate cancer essentially depends on androgen receptor signaling axis, even in castration-resistant setting, and hence may be targeted by second generation hormonal therapy. However, a subset of patients bears androgen-independent cancer biology with a short-term response to hormonal treatment, early and extensive visceral metastases, low PSA levels and poor outcomes. Identification and specific management of these rapidly fatal malignancies is of an unmet medical ne…
Trends in Radical Prostatectomy Risk Group Distribution in a European Multicenter Analysis of 28 572 Patients: Towards Tailored Treatment
Background: Active surveillance (AS) has been increasingly proposed as the preferential initial management strategy for low-risk prostate cancer (PC), while in high-risk PC the indication for surgery has widened. Objective: To evaluate the development of risk group distribution of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Design, setting, and participants: Retrospective database review of combined RP databases (2000-2015) of four large European centers (Créteil, Paris; San Rafaele, Milan; Martini Klinik, Hamburg; NKI, AvL, Amsterdam). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Clinical and pathological characteristics per year of surgery. Eligibility for AS was defined according …
Management of Patients with Node-positive Prostate Cancer at Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: A Systematic Review.
Abstract Context Optimal management of prostate cancer (PCa) patients with lymph node invasion at radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection still remains unclear. Objective To assess the effectiveness of postoperative treatment strategies for pathologically node-positive PCa patients. The secondary aim was to identify the most relevant prognostic factors to guide the management of pN1 patients. Evidence acquisition A systematic review was performed in January 2020 using Medline, Embase, and other databases. A total of 5063 articles were screened, and 26 studies including 12 537 men were selected for data synthesis and included in the current review according to the Preferred Re…
Hereditary prostate cancer – Primetime for genetic testing?
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most common cancer in men. The proportion of all PCa attributable to high-risk hereditary factors has been estimated to 5-15%. Recent landmark discoveries in PCa genetics led to the identification of germline mutations/alterations (eg. BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM or HOXB13), single nucleotide polymorphisms or copy number variations associated with PCa incidence and progression. However, offering germline testing to men with an assumed hereditary component is currently controversial. In the present review article, we provide an overview about the epidemiology and the genetic basis of PCa predisposition and critically discuss the significance and consequence in the cli…