Technique and outcomes of robotic-assisted retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy.

Background: Robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy (rRPN) has numerous advantages over transperitoneal surgery, including direct access to the renal hilum and posterior tumors, and avoidance of the peritoneal cavity in patients with a hostile abdomen. Although the use of the retroperitoneal approach has increased over the last decade, there is little literature on robotic retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy (rRRN), which has similar benefits over the transperitoneal approach. The aim of this study was to describe our technique for robotic retroperitoneal nephrectomy (rRN) and assess its feasibility and outcomes at a high-volume center.

Immediate gemcitabine bladder instillation following bladder closure during robotic-assisted radical nephroureterectomy: a multi-institutional report of feasibility and initial outcomes.

Background: Bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is common and randomized data supports utilization of prophylactic intravesical mitomycin to reduce recurrence. Recently, gemcitabine has been shown to be safe and effective at reducing recurrence following transurethral resection of bladder tumors. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single, intraoperative gemcitabine instillation immediately following bladder cuff closure during RNU, and to compare outcomes with non-gemcitabine intravesical chemotherapy agents.

Robotic Partial Radical Nephrectomy for Clinical T3a Tumors: A Narrative Review.

T3a renal masses include a diverse group of tumors that invade the perirenal and/or sinus fat, pelvicaliceal system, or renal vein. The majority of cT3a renal masses represent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and have historically been treated with radical nephrectomy (RN) given their aggressive nature. With the adoption of minimally invasive approaches to renal surgery, the combination of improved observation, pneumoperitoneum, and robotic articulation has allowed urologists to consider partial nephrectomy (PN) for more complex tumors.

Multi-institutional feasibility and safety outcomes of retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in morbidly obese patients.

Background: Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is an established treatment modality for small renal masses. While retroperitoneal RAPN (rRAPN) has the benefit of avoiding the peritoneal cavity and provides more direct access to the renal hilum and posterior kidney, there is concern about the feasibility of rRAPN particularly in morbidly obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m] patients. We present a large scale multi-institutional study on the outcomes of rRAPN in morbidly obese patients.

Multiple PIK3CA mutation clonality correlates with outcomes in taselisib + fulvestrant-treated ER+/HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated breast cancers.

Background: Mutations in the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), encoded by the PIK3CA gene, cause dysregulation of the PI3K pathway in 35-40% of patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer. Preclinically, cancer cells harboring double or multiple PIK3CA mutations (mut) elicit hyperactivation of the PI3K pathway leading to enhanced sensitivity to p110α inhibitors.

Methods: To understand the role of multiple PIK3CAmut in predicting response to p110α inhibition, we estimated the clonality of multiple PIK3CAmut in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer enrolled to a prospectively registered clinical trial of fulvestrant ± taselisib, and analyzed the subgroups against co-altered genes, pathways, and outcomes.

ER+, HER2- advanced breast cancer treated with taselisib and fulvestrant: genomic landscape and associated clinical outcomes.

Taselisib is a potent β-sparing phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor that, with endocrine therapy, improves outcomes in phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA)-mutated (PIK3CAmut) advanced breast cancer. To understand alterations associated with response to PI3K inhibition, we analysed circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) from participants enrolled in the SANDPIPER trial. Participants were designated as either PIK3CAmut or PIK3CA no mutation was detected (NMD) per baseline ctDNA.

Comparison of Mutation Prevalence in Breast Cancer Across Predicted Ancestry Populations.

Purpose: Understanding the differences in biomarker prevalence that may exist among diverse populations is invaluable to accurately forecast biomarker-driven clinical trial enrollment metrics and to advance inclusive research and health equity. This study evaluated the frequency and types of mutations (mut) detected in predicted genetic ancestry subgroups across breast cancer (BC) subtypes.

Methods: Analyses were conducted using real-world genomic data from adult patients with BC treated in an academic or community setting in the United States and whose tumor tissue was submitted for comprehensive genomic profiling.

Growth-rate model predicts in vivo tumor response from in vitro data.

A major challenge in oncology drug development is to elucidate why drugs that show promising results in cancer cell lines in vitro fail in mouse studies or human trials. One of the fundamental steps toward solving this problem is to better predict how in vitro potency translates into in vivo efficacy. A common approach to infer whether a model will respond in vivo is based on in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentration values (IC ), but yields limited quantitative comparison between cell lines and drugs, potentially because cell division and death rates differ between cell lines and in vivo models.

A Randomized Trial Evaluating the Use of a Smart Water Bottle to Increase Fluid Intake in Stone Formers.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate if the use of a smart water bottle improves urine volume in stone forming patients.

Methods: Adults with nephrolithiasis and low urine volume (<1.5 L) documented on a 24-hour urinalysis (24 hr U) were randomized to receive either standard dietary recommendations to increase fluid intake (DR arm), or DR and a smart water bottle (HidrateSpark®; Hydrate Inc.

Clinical Utility of Rigid Blue Light Cystoscopy: Results from a Post Procedure User Survey in a Prospective Multicenter Registry.

Introduction: Despite the effectiveness of blue light cystoscopy (BLC) in the management of bladder cancer, the adoption of BLC since its approval has been limited. We evaluated the perceived clinical utility of BLC and assessed factors associated with higher perceived utility of BLC.

Methods: This study used a prospective multi-institutional registry of patients with known or suspected noninvasive bladder cancer.

MRI/PET Imaging in elevated PSA and localized prostate cancer: a narrative review.

Objective: To review the recent milestones in MRI and PET based imaging and evaluate their evolving role in the setting of elevated PSA as well as localized prostate cancer.

Background: The importance of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and PET based imaging for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer cannot be understated. Accurate staging has become another significant milestone with the use of PET scans, particularly with prostate specific radiotracers like 68-Gallium Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (68Ga-PSMA).

A Laparoscopic Approach to Parastomal Hernia Repair With Re-Siting of Urinary Stoma.

Background: Parastomal and ventral hernias are common complications in patients with continent catheterizable channels or incontinent urinary diversions. Patients with neurogenic bladder are at particularly high risk due to weak abdominal wall musculature, and hernia repair often requires resiting of their stoma. While parastomal hernia repair with urinary stoma resiting has acceptable long-term success rates, it often necessitates a laparotomy which is associated with significant morbidity.

Technique and Outcomes of Hand-Assist Laparoscopic Continent Cutaneous Ileocecocystoplasty.

Background: Continent cutaneous ileocecocystoplasty (CCIC) involves reconfiguring the ileocecal segment for use as a bladder augment and continent catheterizable channel. CCIC requires release of the hepatic flexure of the colon, which necessitates a longer midline laparotomy than would be required for a standard bladder augmentation. This is associated with high rates of ventral and parastomal hernias.

A Visual Scale for Improving Communication When Describing Gross Hematuria.

Objective: To create and validate a grading scale that facilitates communication between providers managing gross hematuria (GH).

Methods: A blood simulant was used to create a spectrum of GH in 5 foley catheter tubes which were shown to a group of experienced urologists. The urologists were asked how they would adjust the continuous bladder irrigation rate if the samples represented the urine of hypothetical patients, and a 5-point scale was created by group consensus with pictures of the representative tubes printed onto a visual aid.

Evaluating the Perceived Importance of Male Ejaculatory Function.

Objective: To assess the perceived importance of male ejaculatory function (EjF) from the perspective of adult men and their sexual partners.

Methods: In a large survey study, men were asked about the importance of their own EjF. Sexual partners of men were asked about the general importance their partner's EjF, and whether they would support a partner's decision to pursue BPH treatment despite ejaculatory dysfunction.

Presentation and Management Patterns of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Adults Due to Rare Inherited Neuromuscular Diseases.

Objective: To describe the urologic sequalae of several rare congenital neuromuscular diseases.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records at Gillette Specialty Healthcare (2014-2018) of patients presenting to urology clinic with lower urinary tract symptoms and select rare congenital diseases: muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and Rett syndrome.

Results: Muscular dystrophies (n = 19) are X-linked myogenic disorders characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness.

Neoadjuvant letrozole plus taselisib versus letrozole plus placebo in postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, early-stage breast cancer (LORELEI): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Endocrine therapy-based neoadjuvant treatment for luminal breast cancer allows efficient testing of new combinations before surgery. The activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a known mechanism of resistance to endocrine therapy. Taselisib is an oral, selective PI3K inhibitor with enhanced activity against PIK3CA-mutant cancer cells.

Phase II Study of Taselisib (GDC-0032) in Combination with Fulvestrant in Patients with HER2-Negative, Hormone Receptor-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer.

This single-arm, open-label phase II study evaluated the safety and efficacy of taselisib (GDC-0032) plus fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-negative, hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Patients received 6-mg oral taselisib capsules daily plus intramuscular fulvestrant (500 mg) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumor tissue (if available) was centrally evaluated for mutations.

Post-chemotherapy robotic bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection using a novel single-dock technique.

There have been no previous reports of post-chemotherapy robotic bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) using a single-dock technique. One deterrent of robotic RPLND is that accessing bilateral retroperitoneal spaces requires patient reposition and surgical robot redocking, therefore increasing operative time. Herein we provide the first step-by-step description of a single-dock technique for robotic bilateral RPLND in the post-chemotherapy setting.

A Case of Bilateral Cystic Partially Differentiated Nephroblastoma vs Cystic Wilms' Tumor: Highlighting a Diagnostic Dilemma.

Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN) is a rare multicystic renal tumor along the spectrum of cystic nephroma and cystic Wilms' tumor. There have only been two previously reported cases of bilateral CPDN in the literature. We present here a case of bilateral CPDN vs cystic Wilms' tumor treated with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to a bilateral partial nephrectomy.

Liver X receptor (LXR) partial agonists: biaryl pyrazoles and imidazoles displaying a preference for LXRβ.

A series of biaryl pyrazole and imidazole Liver X Receptor (LXR) partial agonists has been synthesized displaying LXRβ selectivity. The LXRβ selective partial agonist 18 was identified with potent induction of ATP binding transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 in human whole blood (EC50=1.2μM, 55% efficacy).

Successful nonoperative treatment of isolated popliteus tendon avulsion fractures in two adolescents.

Isolated popliteal tendon avulsion fractures are relatively uncommon in the pediatric population as other posterolateral lateral structures are often involved. This report describes two skeletally immature male patients who presented with knee injuries without ligamentous instability and were subsequently diagnosed with isolated popliteus tendon avulsion fractures. Both of these patients were managed nonoperatively and had subjectively full recoveries.