Drug Therapy

Repeated doses of the targeted radiopharmaceutical samarium Sm-153 lexidronam injection (Quadramet) are a safe and effective treatment option in patients with painful bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer, according to a multicenter, phase IV study published recently in the online edition of Cancer.

Repeated doses of the targeted radiopharmaceutical samarium Sm-153 lexidronam injection (Quadramet) are a safe and effective treatment option in patients with painful bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer, according to a multicenter, phase IV study published recently in the online edition of Cancer.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A) therapy in patients with first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma appears to significantly improve progression-free survival compared with interferon alfa-2a therapy alone, according to recent findings from an unpublished interim analysis of phase III data.

Men taking statins to lower their cholesterol are not at increased risk for developing prostate cancer, according to an ongoing multicenter, prospective cohort study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2006; 98:1819-25).

Chicago-Findings from systematic research being conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis suggest that arginine deprivation may be a novel treatment in some prostate cancers.

New York-Men bothered by overactive bladder and prostate enlargement symptoms who are treated simultaneously with the anticholinergic drug tolterodine tartrate extended-release capsules (Detrol LA) and the alpha-blocker tamsulosin (Flomax) report better symptom control and quality of life than do men treated with either one of the medications or placebo, according to a recently published study (JAMA 2006; 296:2319-28).

The United States is witnessing a consolidation of physicians into groups, and urology is no exception. AUA estimates that only 22% of its members in 2006 are in solo practice (down from 48% in 2003).

PSA is falsely lowered by a factor of two in middle-aged men who have taken the hair-loss drug finasteride (Propecia) for 1 year, according to a study published in Lancet Oncology online.

The male sling achieves continence by unilateral ventral urethral compression that does not require patient activation, allowing volitional and spontaneous voiding.

Chicago-Although chemotherapy reigns supreme as the most effective systemic therapy to treat advanced prostate cancer, it is being contested with the rapid emergence and development of novel agents that are showing great promise in targeting pathways of cancer without causing damage to normal cells. However, it doesn't appear that chemotherapy will be relegated to the history books any time soon. Even if targeted therapies prove to be all they promise they may be, chemotherapy may still be essential.

Chicago-Whether chemotherapy may benefit men with locally advanced prostate cancer is still not known, but it is hoped that clinical trials currently under way may provide some evidence on the potential role of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy in this setting.

Men with overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms who receive combination therapy are more likely to report improvement in symptoms than those who receive only one medication, according to results of a study recently reported in JAMA (2006; 296:2319-28).

Vardenafil (Levitra) appears to be effective at first dose, with continued success in treating erectile dysfunction in men with associated medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, the authors of a Canadian study report.

Topiramate (Topamax), a drug commonly prescribed to treat seizures and migraines, can increase the propensity for calcium phosphate kidney stones, according to a study by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Men with overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms who receive combination therapy are more likely to report improvement in symptoms than those who receive only one medication, according to results of a study recently reported in JAMA (2006; 296:2319-28).

An investigational injectable enzyme known as AA4500 appears to be effective and generally well tolerated in treating patients with Peyronie's disease, according to data from two phase II open-label trials presented at the recent AUA Western Section annual meeting in Maui, HI.

Timm Medical said the FDA has allowed the company to extend the labeling of its Osbon ErecAid device for use in creating and maintaining erections by providing arterial blood to the penis during recovery from radical prostatectomy.

An investigational injectable enzyme known as AA4500 appears to be effective and generally well tolerated in treating patients with Peyronie's disease, according to data from two phase II open-label trials presented at the recent AUA Western Section annual meeting in Maui, HI.

New explanatory analyses of a phase III study support earlier results observed with treatment using the investigational active cellular immunotherapy sipuleucel-T (Provenge) in men with advanced androgen-independent prostate cancer, researchers reported at the Prostate Cancer Foundation's annual scientific retreat in Scottsdale, AZ.

Cleveland-Intravenous ketorolac tromethamine is safe and appears to be effective at alleviating pain following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) procedures in properly selected patients, according to a study from the Methodist Hospital Institute for Kidney Stone Disease and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.

Between 30% and 60% of calcium oxalate stone patients have hypercalciuria in the absence of raised serum calcium levels.

Cleveland-Dean G. Assimos, MD, professor of urology at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, asked a simple question here at the World Congress of Endourology: "Is the Internet a reliable source of information for dietary recommendations for stone formers?"

Cleveland-Urologists at Emory University, Atlanta, may or may not have slain an urban myth, but at the very least, the team has given it a sound kick. Cola in moderation does not change urine chemistries significantly, and therefore does not appear to raise the risk of forming stones, the team concluded after comparing cola to deionized water in a randomized, prospective pilot study.

Cleveland-Intravenous ketorolac tromethamine is safe and appears to be effective at alleviating pain following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) procedures in properly selected patients, according to a study from the Methodist Hospital Institute for Kidney Stone Disease and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.

Boston-A study investigating a treatment sample of men diagnosed with sexual compulsivity suggests that prescription and non-prescription use of phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors is common in that population. This finding should alert physicians who prescribe medications for erectile dysfunction to maintain an index of patients with a suspected sexual compulsivity problem and to be attentive to clues of potential drug misuse, according to the researchers.

Cleveland-Two studies from the University of Minnesota and one from the University of Tennessee presented at the World Congress of Endourology tackled three important questions raised by the use of nephrostomy tubes: Which configuration best minimizes pain? How small can the tube be and remain effective? When can a nephrostomy tube be abandoned altogether?

Boston-Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy for locoregional prostate cancer is associated with significantly increased risks of diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, according to the results of a population-based, observational cohort study.

Miami-Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in radical prostatectomy specimens is an independent predictor of prostate cancer recurrence, according to a study reported by researchers from the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine.

The tubeless PNL approach provided the greatest comfort for the patient.

Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has submitted a new drug application to the FDA seeking approval for a once-daily formulation of trospium chloride (Sanctura XR) to treat patients with overactive bladder.