Impact of DNA Repair Deficiency in the Evolving Treatment Landscape of Bladder Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: This review explores the current landscape of treatments which target the DNA damage response (DDR) in metastatic and muscle-invasive bladder cancer. It emphasizes recent clinical trials which integrate DDR inhibitors with standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Recent Findings: Noteworthy findings include the ATLANTIS trial, which demonstrated prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in DDR biomarker-selected patients using PARP inhibitors as maintenance after standard chemotherapy.

Evolution of cell therapy for renal cell carcinoma.

Treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has improved dramatically over the last decade, shifting from high-dose cytokine therapy in combination with surgical resection of tumors to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and combination therapies. However, curative treatment, particularly for advanced-stage disease, remains rare. Cell therapy as a "living drug" has achieved hematological malignancy cures with a high response rate, and significant research efforts have been made to facilitate its translation to solid tumors.

Exploring preventive care practices among unvaccinated individuals in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Building on a Canadian study associating unvaccinated individuals to increased car accidents, we examined the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination status and US preventive care practices.

Methods: We queried the 2021 National Health Interview Survey. First, we fitted a model to identify respondent-level factors associated with receipt of at least one COVID-19 vaccination.

Anticoagulation prophylaxis patterns following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer.

Introduction: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is the standard of care for testicular cancer in various disease settings. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complications have been reported to occur in <1% of primary RPLND cases and up to 3% of postchemotherapy (PC-RPLND) cases. While prophylactic anticoagulation (AC) has been well-documented to reduce DVT rates in patients undergoing surgery in general, the benefit of prophylactic AC in RPLND has not been assessed.

Evidence-Based Analysis of the Critical Steps of Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

Radical cystectomy (RC) is an integral part of the management of patients with advanced-stage bladder cancer. This major oncologic operation is prone to complications resulting in morbidity and mortality. We analyzed the critical steps of open RC, performed an evidence-based review of these steps, and discussed our experience and approach.

Robotic Simulation in Urologic Surgery.

Robotic surgery continues to revolutionize the field of urologic surgery, and thus it is crucial that graduating urologic surgery residents demonstrate proficiency with this technology. The large learning curve of utilizing robotic technology limits resident immediate participation in real-life robotic surgery, and skill acquisition is further challenged by variable case volume. Robotic simulation offers an invaluable opportunity for urologic trainees to cultivate strong foundational skills in a non-clinical setting, ultimately leading to both competence and operative confidence.

Outcomes of Consolidative Nephrectomy following Primary Immunotherapy in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Analysis.

Background: To evaluate effect and outcomes of combination primary immunotherapy (IO) and nephrectomy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective analysis of patients with advanced/metastatic RCC who received IO followed by nephrectomy. Primary outcome was Bifecta (negative surgical margins and no 30-day surgical complications).

Stereotactic Magnetic Resonance-guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Localized Kidney Cancer: Early Outcomes from a Prospective Phase 1 Trial and Supplemental Cohort.

Stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR)-guided adaptive radiotherapy (SMART) for renal cell carcinoma may result in more precise treatment delivery through the capabilities for improved image quality, daily adaptive planning, and accounting for respiratory motion during treatment with real-time MR tracking. In this study, we aimed to characterize the safety and feasibility of SMART for localized kidney cancer. Twenty patients with localized kidney cancer (ten treated in a prospective phase 1 trial and ten in the supplemental cohort) were treated to 40 Gy in five fractions on a 0.

Pathological Outcomes of Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Receive Nephrectomy Following Immunotherapy.

Background: Even though cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) was once the standard of care for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), its role in treatment has not been well analyzed or defined in the era of immunotherapy (IO).

Materials And Methods: This study analyzed pathological outcomes in patients with advanced or metastatic RCC who received IO prior to CN. This was a multi-institutional, retrospective study of patients with advanced or metastatic RCC.

Biochemical Control and Toxicity Outcomes of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Versus Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) have both shown acceptable outcomes in the treatment of low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Minimal data have been published directly comparing rates of biochemical control and toxicity with these 2 modalities. We hypothesize that LDR and SBRT will provide similar rates of biochemical control.

Chemical Inhibitors of a Selective SWI/SNF Function Synergize with ATR Inhibition in Cancer Cell Killing.

SWI/SNF (BAF) complexes are a diverse family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers produced by combinatorial assembly that are mutated in and thought to contribute to 20% of human cancers and a large number of neurologic diseases. The gene-activating functions of BAF complexes are essential for viability of many cell types, limiting the development of small molecule inhibitors. To circumvent the potential toxicity of SWI/SNF inhibition, we identified small molecules that inhibit the specific repressive function of these complexes but are relatively nontoxic and importantly synergize with ATR inhibitors in killing cancer cells.

A simplified subnormothermic machine perfusion system restores ischemically damaged liver grafts in a rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation.

Background: Liver donor shortages stimulate the development of strategies that incorporate damaged organs into the donor pool. Herein we present a simplified machine perfusion system without the need for oxygen carriers or temperature control, which we validated in a model of orthotopic liver transplantation.

Methods: Rat livers were procured and subnormothermically perfused with supplemented Williams E medium for 3 hours, then transplanted into healthy recipients (Fresh-SNMP group).

Citalopram treatment of compulsive shopping: an open-label study.

Background: Compulsive shopping, a DSM-IV impulse-control disorder not otherwise specified, is characterized by preoccupation with shopping and inability to resist buying unneeded items, with resulting marked distress, social or occupational impairment, and financial and/or familial problems. Because an open-label trial suggested that fluovaxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is effective for this disorder, we tested the effectiveness of the SSRI citalopram.

Method: We enrolled adults meeting formal diagnostic criteria (as defined by McElroy and colleagues) in a 12-week open-label trial.