Drug Therapy

A third interim safety analysis of an ongoing multicenter phase II trial of NX-1207, for the treatment of BPH, has revealed no serious side effects, according to Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp., the drug's manufacturer.

The standard 3-day course of antibiotic treatment for cystitis in women achieves a similar rate of symptomatic cure as prolonged therapy, although bacteriologic failure is less likely with longer-term therapy, suggests a new meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Medicine (2005; 118:1196-1207).

Measurement of telomerase activity in urine appears promising for the detection of bladder cancer in men, according to a study published last week in JAMA.

Extended-release tolterodinetartate (Detrol LA) significantly improves lower urinary tract storage symptoms from baseline in men after unsuccessful treatment with alpha-blocker therapy, according to a study published in the current Journal of Urology (2005; 174:2273-5).

An herbal extract preparation known as Zyflamend appears to suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells and induces the cells to self-destruct, according to Columbia University researchers.

Boehringer Ingelheim and the FDA have notified health care professionals of revisions to the precautions and adverse reactions sections of the prescribing information for tamsulosin hydrochloride (Flomax) for the treatment of BPH.

Dendreon Corp. has reached an agreement with the FDA under the Special Protocol Assessment procedure to amend the design of its ongoing phase III (D9902B) clinical trial of sipuleucel-T (Provenge), the company?s investigational active cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Washington--Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States, one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

Changes in coding and reimbursement are on tap for 2006, some of which are known and some of which are uncertain.

Patients need to understand that, based on their age, prevalence of prostate cancer can be predicted.

Montreal--Botulinum toxin type B appears to be efficacious for the treatment of overactive bladder, although the agent has a short duration of action, according to British researchers. While their small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study specifically examined serotype B, the researchers said botulinum toxin A is likely the preferred agent because of its greater durability.

Montreal--Two newer-generation antimuscarinic agents—solifenacin succinate (VESIcare) and extended-release tolterodine tartrate (Detrol LA)—improve symptoms of overactive bladder, but solifenacin appears to provide superior outcomes, according to a trial conducted in collaboration with the manufacturer of solifenacin. Benefits of solifenacin appear to be due, at least in part, to the availability of two approved doses of the drug, researchers say.

Montreal--Trans-sacral magnetic stimulation using a portable device appears to yield no discernible benefits over a sham device in patients with overactive bladder, according to results of an Australian study. It remains unclear, said the authors, whether this failure is due to the particular manner in which the device delivered the magnetic field or whether magnetic stimulation in general is simply an ineffective treatment for this condition.

An interim analysis of a phase III trial of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma shows an estimated 39% improvement in survival in patients receiving the investigational drug sorafenib tosylate (Nexavar) compared with those receiving placebo (p=.018).

Patients with advanced prostate cancer taking sipuleucel-T (Provenge), an investigational active cellular immunotherapy, have shown extended survival versus those receiving placebo in a second phase III study.

Interactive CD-ROM provides model for LHRH therapy, Intermittent catheter offers safety, comfort, Recorder, e-transcription software speed productivity

Detection rates improve with extended biopsy protocols, but the definition of clinically significant disease remains elusive.

Paris--Most cases of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) are spontaneous with unknown causes, and more studies are needed on all aspects of the condition, said Anthony Schaeffer, MD, who chaired the Committee on Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain at the International Consultation on New Developments in Prostate Cancer and Prostate Diseases here.

Paris--The term "lower urinary tract symptoms," or LUTS, is controversial because many urologists regard it as a replacement for prostatism, which focuses mainly on voiding dysfunction. But the most bothersome symptoms of LUTS relate to storage, said Christopher Chapple, MD.

Paris--Although there is very little evidence for primary prevention of BPH and LUTS, evidence does exist for tertiary prevention after the condition is established, said Claus G. Roehrborn, MD, who chaired a committee on prevention of BPH outcomes at the International Consultation on New Developments in Prostate Cancer and Prostate Diseases.

Paris--An expert committee charged with examining coming trends in new therapeutic targets and treatments for metastatic prostate cancer painted a positive picture of the future, with chemotherapy, vaccines, and gene therapy all potentially playing a role. But the committee also recognized a milestone advancement of the recent past.

Paris--Taking measures to prevent prostate cancer is a noble, potentially life-saving goal, but the cost of providing a preventive agent may be prohibitive at present. Based on statistical analysis, 500 of every 100,000 U.S. men in the 54- to 65-year age group would need to receive a moderately effective agent for 1 year to prevent just one case of prostate cancer, said Peter Gann, MD, who chaired a committee on prostate cancer prevention at the International Consultation on New Developments in Prostate Cancer and Prostate Diseases.

Vancouver, British Columbia--A subset of women with lower urinary tract symptoms—namely, those with AUA symptom scores in the severe range—may benefit from treatment with an alpha-blocker, according to findings from a small, multicenter study. In a general population of women with LUTS, treatment with the alpha-blocker, tamsulosin (Flomax) showed favorable but not statistically significant results compared with placebo.

Vancouver, British Columbia--Currently, more than 50 clinical trials are open in the United States for renal cell carcinoma, most of which are early-phase studies. Significantly, a handful of late-phase trials are still open. Some are showing promising results with newer immune-based and vaccine therapies for the treatment of advanced RCC, a disease for which definitive treatments are lacking.

Vancouver, British Columbia--A newer 3-month formulation of an LHRH agonist shows efficacy and safety similar to its 1-month counterpart. However, the 3-month version of the drug, triptorelin pamoate (Trelstar LA) provides a more convenient option preferred for maintaining compliance and quality of life in patients with stages C and D prostate cancer, researchers say.

Combination therapy using an investigational small molecule chemopotentiator reduces PSA levels and symptoms in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, according to results of a phase II trial.

Z?rich Switzerland--Botulinum toxin A (Botox) may be an effective, safe alternative treatment option in patients experiencing overactive bladder refractory to more standard treatments, according to a study performed at the Universit?tsspital Z?rich and Kantonsspital Luzern, Switzerland.

Durham, NC--A study estimating the dispensation rate of interacting medications to an outpatient population found that while less than .05% of patients received co-prescriptions for medications that could potentially cause serious adverse effects, about half of these were for sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and one of two different nitrates.

Mansoura, Egypt--Acucise endopyelotomy is no longer employed at the Mansoura University Urology and Nephrology Center in Mansoura, Egypt. Instead, urologists there have switched to laser endopyelotomy.

Indianapolis--For urologists who are less than happy with the current options for performing intracorporeal lithotripsy, researchers from one of the country's highest-volume stone centers have some good news. A novel, dual-probe lithotriptor appears to offer the best features of both pneumatic and ultrasonic devices, and provides a significantly shorter penetration time than a combination pneumatic-ultrasonic device, in vitro research data show.