Michael Pether, S. Larry Goldenberg, Kapil Bhagirath, Martin Gleave

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1809-1814, 2003

Abstract Introduction: This report will review the long-term follow-up of a prospective Phase II evaluation of intermittent androgen suppression in the treatment of prostate cancer. Specifically, this analysis will address completed cycle characteristics, the concept of prolonged off-treatment cycles, the time to cancer progression, cancer-specific survival and the association between PSA and bone scan changes.
Methods: A total of 102 patients have been entered into this protocol. Treatment was initiated with combined androgen blockade and continued for 6 months or longer to reach a serum PSA nadir. Medication was then withheld until the serum PSA increased to predetermined… More >

J. M. Fitzpatrick, R. W. G. Watson

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1796-1798, 2003

Abstract The prostate requires androgens for development and glandular maintenance, dying by the process of apoptosis following their removal. Anti-androgen therapy is targeted to induce this process but eventually fails with the emergence of an androgen independent cancer. These cells have development mechanisms to survive with out androgen impart due to the expression of anti-apoptotic factors. More >

Sanoj P. Punnen, Joseph L. Chin, Michael A. S. Jewett

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.2, pp. 1790-1795, 2003

Abstract Introduction and objective: BCG is the most efficacious intravesical treatment for superficial bladder cancer. However, 30%-40% of tumors are refractory. BCG failure is an indication for cystectomy but several salvage intravesical (IVe) strategies have been proposed. Early results with reduced dose BCG in combination with IFN-α in patients are currently the most promising. We have adopted this approach and now report our preliminary results. This is the first report of this salvage therapy from Canada, the birthplace of IVe BCG therapy for superficial bladder cancer.
Methods: The “O’Donnell protocol” of reduced dose IVe BCG plus IFN-α was… More >

Shafquat Meraj, Harris M. Nagler, Peter Homel, Daniel Shasha, Joseph R. Wagner

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1743-1748, 2003

Abstract Objective: To determine if there is correlation between the size of radical prostatectomy specimens and perioperative complications including intraoperative blood loss.
Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive retropubic radical prostatectomy cases were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative complications, intraoperative blood loss, pathologic stage, and size of the prostatectomy specimen were recorded. Logistic regression was used to determine whether variables such as age, PSA, and prostate weight are significant predictors of perioperative complications and intraoperative blood loss.
Results: The final analysis included a total of 117 cases. Significant complications were seen in 10 patients (8.5%). The median weight of the prostatectomy specimen… More >

T.H. Satoh², T.A. Surmacz³, O. Nyormoi⁴, C.M. Whitacre¹

BIOCELL, Vol.27, No.1, pp. 47-55, 2003, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2003.27.047

Abstract This study shows a strong association between cell attachment to substratum and activation of β1-integrin-signaling with resistance to the camptothecin derivative topotecan (TPT) in breast cancer cells. We propose a mechanistic-driven approach to sensitize the cells to camptothecins. ZR-75-1 anchoragedependent breast cancer cell line, its derivative 9D3S suspension cells (9D3S-S), and 9D3S cells attached to fibronectin-coated plates (9D3S-A) were treated with TPT (1 µM) or CPT-11 (40 µM) for 48 h. Programmed cell death (PCD), as shown by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-9 cleavage, was observed in 9D3S-S cells but not in ZR-75-1 or More >

E. S. Guns¹, S. L. Goldenberg¹, P. N. Brown²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.9, No.6, pp. 1684-1688, 2002

Abstract Introduction/objectives: PC-SPES is an herbal mixture available over the counter for the treatment of prostate cancer. It was re-called in January 2002 due to alleged contamination with warfarin. Other laboratories, including our own, claim that the potent synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES) which has been used for many years to treat hormone dependent prostate cancer, could be detected in the herbal mixture. Recent clinical studies report objective responses in men with hormone dependent and naive prostate cancer, and also describe isolated cases of estrogenic side effects. A lack of effective conventional treatments for advanced hormone refractory prostate… More >

Jeremy P. W. Heaton

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.9, No.6, pp. 1677-1680, 2002

Abstract Andropause is a problem that can be identified in some men as distinct from the changes associated with aging or chronic disease. These men have mild hypogonadism and a clinical picture that is well within the scope of urologists to identify and manage. Andropause is neither life threatening nor trivial and there are clinical guidelines published that will help to refine the understanding and definition of this condition. The character of andropause is distinct from profound hypogonadism in its relation to age, the scope and degree of contributing symptoms and the marginal reduction in testosterone.… More >

Stephen E. Pautler, McClellan M. Walther

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.9, No.5, pp. 1653-1659, 2002

Abstract Laparoscopic management of kidney cancer is becoming accepted as an alternative to open radical nephrectomy. Technical considerations have limited the application of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy to relatively small, clinically localized tumors. At the National Cancer Institute, we have broadened the indications to include bulky tumors. Herein, we describe the operation with attention to the technical caveats that have been gained with experience. More >

Jack H. Mydlo, Sameer Chawla, Spencer Dom, Michael A. Volpe, Sovrin Shah, Pascal J. Imperato

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.9, No.5, pp. 1634-1636, 2002

Abstract Purpose: Although human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is considered refractive to hormone therapy, this lesion can be induced in the Syrian hamster by exogenous estrogen. Human RCC also has been demonstrated to contain estrogen receptors. Since there are significant changes of estrogen levels during pregnancy, we wanted to investigate if there were any associations between the hormonal variations of pregnancy and renal cancer in women using two distinct cohorts.
Materials and methods: We reviewed the charts of 57 females who presented for treatment of renal cancer. We assessed the size of each tumor radiologically and pathologically, the… More >

Laurence H. Klotz¹, Yves Fradet²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.9, Suppl.1, pp. 30-35, 2002

Abstract This consensus statement emerged from the 2^nd Canadian Ura-Oncology Congress, held January 16-20, 2002. The attendees at this meeting comprised approximately 125 urologists from across Canada, representing both community and academic perspectives. The group heard presentations by experts in the field addressing the spectrum of controversies in prostate cancer. After each session, the meeting broke into workshop sessions where attendees discussed the controversies raised by the speakers. Present in each workshop was a reporter who summarized the consensus of the group. These summaries were collected and integrated into a set of questions. At the end of More >