Castration Levels of Testosterone Results in Atrophy of Androgen-sensitive Perineal Muscles: A Potential Biomarker for Male Hypogonadism.

Objective: To evaluate MRI-based measurements of androgen-sensitive perineal/pelvic muscles in men with prostate cancer before and after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as a novel imaging marker for end-organ effects of hypogonadism. Diagnosing hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency (TD) requires both low serum testosterone and clinical symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. However, the non-specific nature of many TD symptoms makes it challenging to initiate therapy.

Automated Detection and Grading of Extraprostatic Extension of Prostate Cancer at MRI via Cascaded Deep Learning and Random Forest Classification.

Rationale And Objectives: Extraprostatic extension (EPE) is well established as a significant predictor of prostate cancer aggression and recurrence. Accurate EPE assessment prior to radical prostatectomy can impact surgical approach. We aimed to utilize a deep learning-based AI workflow for automated EPE grading from prostate T2W MRI, ADC map, and High B DWI.

Is prostatic adenocarcinoma with cribriform architecture more difficult to detect on prostate MRI?

Background: Cribriform (CBFM) pattern on prostate biopsy has been implicated as a predictor for high-risk features, potentially leading to adverse outcomes after definitive treatment. This study aims to investigate whether the CBFM pattern containing prostate cancers (PCa) were associated with false negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and determine the association between MRI and histopathological disease burden.

Methods: Patients who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), combined 12-core transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided systematic (SB) and MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy were retrospectively queried for the presence of CBFM pattern at biopsy.

A Novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Ultrasound Fusion Prostate Biopsy Technique Using Transperineal Ultrasound: An Initial Experience.

Objective: To report an initial experience with a novel, "fully" transperineal (TP) prostate fusion biopsy using an unconstrained ultrasound transducer placed on the perineal skin to guide biopsy needles inserted via a TP approach.

Methods: Conventional TP prostate biopsies for detection of prostate cancer have been performed with transrectal ultrasound, requiring specialized hardware, imposing limitations on needle trajectory, and contributing to patient discomfort. Seventy-six patients with known or suspected prostate cancer underwent 78 TP biopsy sessions in an academic center between June 2018 and April 2022 and were included in this study.

Comparison of MRI-Based Staging and Pathologic Staging for Predicting Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy.

Currently most clinical models for predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP) incorporate staging information from RP specimens, creating a gap in preoperative risk assessment. The purpose of our study was to compare the utility of presurgical staging information from MRI and postsurgical staging information from RP pathology in predicting BCR in patients with PCa. This retrospective study included 604 patients (median age, 60 years) with PCa who underwent prostate MRI before RP from June 2007 to December 2018.

Statin use improves the efficacy of nivolumab in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Statins are widely used in an ageing population, including subjects with solid malignancies. However, no conclusive evidence is currently available on their potential influence on patients' outcome. We aimed to assess whether statin exposure affects the survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with nivolumab.

Combination immunotherapy including OncoVEX creates a favorable tumor immune micro-environment in transgenic BRAF murine melanoma.

Talimogene Laherparepvec (OncoVEX), an oncolytic virus, immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD1), and BRAF inhibition (BRAFi), are all clinically approved for treatment of melanoma patients and are effective through diverse mechanisms of action. Individually, these therapies also have an effect on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Evaluating the combination effect of these three therapies on the TIME can help determine when combination therapy is most appropriate for further study.

Concomitant Proton Pump Inhibitors and Outcome of Patients Treated with Nivolumab Alone or Plus Ipilimumab for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent the standard of care as first- or second-line treatment in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide and are known to affect gut microbiota, which is gaining interest in its association with outcomes for patients on ICIs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PPIs on outcomes in RCC patients receiving immunotherapy.

Timing of steroid initiation and response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic cancer.

Background: Corticosteroids (CS) are the mainstay of immune-related adverse effect (irAE) management, as well as for other indications in cancer treatment. Previous studies evaluating whether CS affect immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) efficacy compared patients receiving CS versus no CS. However, there is a paucity of clinical data evaluating the timing of concomitant CS and CPI efficacy.

Complete intracranial response to talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec), pembrolizumab and whole brain radiotherapy in a patient with melanoma brain metastases refractory to dual checkpoint-inhibition.

Background: Immunotherapy, in particular checkpoint blockade, has changed the clinical landscape of metastatic melanoma. Nonetheless, the majority of patients will either be primary refractory or progress over follow up. Management of patients progressing on first-line immunotherapy remains challenging.

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec) for the treatment of melanoma and other cancers.

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec) is the first live virus to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer. This engineered version of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the product of decades of preclinical work aimed at identifying and modifying aspects of the viral genome involved in virulence and immunogenicity. T-Vec preferentially infects and lyses tumor cells and, in some cases, induces a systemic immune response against the tumor.