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Cancer Medicine Aug 2023Reasons underlying disparities in telehealth use among cancer survivors are unknown.
BACKGROUND
Reasons underlying disparities in telehealth use among cancer survivors are unknown.
METHODS
We surveyed a sociodemographically diverse population-based cohort of 487 prostate cancer survivors regarding their use and perceptions of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS
Overall, only 28.5% of survivors had used telehealth at the time of survey and just 10% felt care through telehealth is comparable to that of an in-person visit. Still, over 55% felt telehealth is a good option for initial consultations or basic care and 15% felt more likely to use telehealth since the pandemic. After adjusting for other socioeconomic factors, survivors with lower education (≤high school vs. any college) had marginally lower use of telehealth (risk ratio [RR], 0.65 [95% CI, 0.42-1.01]) and lower probability of feeling more likely to use telehealth since the pandemic (RR, 0.39 [95% CI, 0.20-0.77]).
CONCLUSIONS
Differences in survivor perceptions of telehealth by education level highlight new insights underlying disparities in telehealth use and potential targets for interventions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostate; Cancer Survivors; Pandemics; COVID-19; Prostatic Neoplasms; Survivors; Telemedicine
PubMed: 37455582
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6328 -
Glycobiology Dec 2023Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer and is not just a consequence, but also a driver of a malignant phenotype. In prostate cancer, changes in fucosylated and...
Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer and is not just a consequence, but also a driver of a malignant phenotype. In prostate cancer, changes in fucosylated and sialylated glycans are common and this has important implications for tumor progression, metastasis, and immune evasion. Glycans hold huge translational potential and new therapies targeting tumor-associated glycans are currently being tested in clinical trials for several tumor types. Inhibitors targeting fucosylation and sialylation have been developed and show promise for cancer treatment, but translational development is hampered by safety issues related to systemic adverse effects. Recently, potent metabolic inhibitors of sialylation and fucosylation were designed that reach higher effective concentrations within the cell, thereby rendering them useful tools to study sialylation and fucosylation as potential candidates for therapeutic testing. Here, we investigated the effects of global metabolic inhibitors of fucosylation and sialylation in the context of prostate cancer progression. We find that these inhibitors effectively shut down the synthesis of sialylated and fucosylated glycans to remodel the prostate cancer glycome with only minor apparent side effects on other glycan types. Our results demonstrate that treatment with inhibitors targeting fucosylation or sialylation decreases prostate cancer cell growth and downregulates the expression of genes and proteins important in the trajectory of disease progression. We anticipate our findings will lead to the broader use of metabolic inhibitors to explore the role of fucosylated and sialylated glycans in prostate tumor pathology and may pave the way for the development of new therapies for prostate cancer.
Topics: Male; Humans; Glycosylation; Prostatic Neoplasms; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Polysaccharides
PubMed: 37847613
DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad085 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. The mammalian insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family is made up of three ligands (IGF-I, IGF-II,... (Review)
Review
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. The mammalian insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family is made up of three ligands (IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin), three receptors (IGF-I receptor (IGF-1R), insulin receptor (IR), and IGF-II receptor (IGF-2R)), and six IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). IGF-I and IGF-II were identified as potent mitogens and were previously associated with an increased risk of cancer development including prostate cancer. Several reports showed controversy about the expression of the IGF family and their connection to prostate cancer risk due to the high degree of heterogeneity among prostate tumors, sampling bias, and evaluation techniques. Despite that, it is clear that several IGF family members play a role in prostate cancer development, metastasis, and androgen-independent progression. In this review, we aim to expand our understanding of prostate tumorigenesis and regulation through the IGF system. Further understanding of the role of IGF signaling in PCa shows promise and needs to be considered in the context of a comprehensive treatment strategy.
Topics: Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Male; Somatomedins; Animals; Signal Transduction; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; Insulin-Like Peptides
PubMed: 38872970
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1396192 -
Pathologica Feb 2024Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has improved systematic prostate biopsy procedures in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa)... (Review)
Review
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has improved systematic prostate biopsy procedures in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) by reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies; numerous level one evidence studies have confirmed the accuracy of MRI-targeted biopsy, but, still today, systematic prostate biopsy is recommended to reduce the 15-20% false negative rate of mpMRI. New advanced imaging has been proposed to detect suspicious lesions and perform targeted biopsies especially when mpMRI cannot be performed. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) modalities are emerging as methods with greater sensitivity and specificity for the detection of PCa compared to the traditional TRUS; these techniques include elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, as well as improved B-mode and Doppler techniques. These modalities can be combined to define a novel ultrasound approach: multiparametric ultrasound (mpUS). More recently, micro-ultrasound (MicroUS) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) have demonstrated to be sensitive for the detection of primary prostatic lesions resulting highly correlated with the aggressiveness of the primary prostatic tumor. In parallel, artificial intelligence is advancing and is set out to deeply change both radiology and pathology. In this study we address the role, advantages and shortcomings of novel imaging techniques for Pca, and discuss future directions including the applications of artificial intelligence-based techniques to imaging as well as histology. The significance of these findings for the practicing pathologist is discussed.
Topics: Male; Humans; Pathologists; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Artificial Intelligence; Prostatic Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiology
PubMed: 38349336
DOI: 10.32074/1591-951X-925 -
BMC Urology Feb 2024Although prostate cancer is a prevalent malignancy worldwide, its clinical presentation and management in the Middle East are not well-documented. This study aims to...
BACKGROUND
Although prostate cancer is a prevalent malignancy worldwide, its clinical presentation and management in the Middle East are not well-documented. This study aims to provide insights into the initial clinical presentation and management of prostate cancer in this region.
METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted on seven institutional databases from six Middle Eastern countries, including Türkiye, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, and Jordan, to identify patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021. Descriptive analysis was performed on the collected data to provide an overview of the demographic, clinical, and treatment variables.
RESULTS
A total of 1,136 patients were identified with a median age of 70 (range, 50-84). Most patients (78%) received their prostate cancer diagnosis after presenting with symptoms, as opposed to routine PSA screening. At the time of diagnosis, 35% of men had clinical T3 or T4 disease, 54% with Stage IV disease and 50% with Gleason score ≥ 8. Regarding treatment, 20% of non-metastatic and 22% of metastatic patients received no treatment.
CONCLUSION
Most men in this study sought prostate cancer evaluation due to symptoms and were subsequently diagnosed with advanced-stage disease, providing a foundation for future research aimed at understanding the underlying factors behind the observed trends and enabling informed interventions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Iraq; Lebanon; Neoplasm Staging
PubMed: 38336732
DOI: 10.1186/s12894-024-01427-6 -
Minerva Urology and Nephrology Dec 2023The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT's answers to frequently asked questions about benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT's answers to frequently asked questions about benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.
METHODS
Frequently asked questions on the websites of urology associations, hospitals, and social media about prostate cancer and BPH were evaluated. Also, strong recommendation-level data were noted in the recommendations tables of the European Urology Association (EAU) 2022 Guidelines on Prostate Cancer and Management of Non-neurogenic Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms sections. All questions were asked in order in ChatGPT Mar 23 Version. All answers were evaluated separately by two specialist urologists and scored between 1-4.
RESULTS
Forty questions about BPH and 86 questions about prostate cancer were included in the study. The answers to all BPH-related questions resulted in 90.0% completely correct. This rate for questions about prostate cancer was 94.2%. The completely correct rate in the questions prepared according to the strong recommendations of the EAU guideline was 77.8% for BPH and 76.2% for prostate cancer. The similarity rates of the answers to the repeated questions were 90.0% and 93% for questions related to BPH and prostate cancer, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
ChatGPT has given satisfactory answers to questions about BPH and prostate cancer. Although it has limitations, it can be predicted that it will take an important place in the health sector in the future, as it is a constantly evolving platform. ChatGPT was able to provide helpful information about BPH and prostate cancer, although it is not perfect. It is constantly getting better, and may become an important resource in the healthcare field in the future.
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostate; Hyperplasia; Reproducibility of Results; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 38126285
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6051.23.05450-2 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2024This comprehensive review aims to explore the potential applications of Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.... (Review)
Review
This comprehensive review aims to explore the potential applications of Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Additionally, the study investigates the role of GRPR in prognostic assessment for individuals afflicted with prostate cancer. The review encompasses a thorough examination of existing literature and research studies related to the upregulation of GRPR in various tumor types, with a specific focus on prostate. The review also evaluates the utility of GRPR as a molecular target in prostate cancer research, comparing its significance to the well-established Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The integration of radionuclide-targeted therapy with GRPR antagonists is explored as an innovative therapeutic approach for individuals with prostate cancer. Research findings suggest that GRPR serves as a promising molecular target for visualizing low-grade prostate cancer. Furthermore, it is demonstrated to complement the detection of lesions that may be negative for PSMA. The integration of radionuclide-targeted therapy with GRPR antagonists presents a novel therapeutic paradigm, offering potential benefits for individuals undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. In conclusion, this review highlights the emerging role of GRPR in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the integration of radionuclide-targeted therapy with GRPR antagonists introduces an innovative therapeutic approach that holds promise for improving outcomes in individuals dealing with prostate cancer. The potential prognostic value of GRPR in assessing the disease's progression adds another dimension to its clinical significance in the realm of urology.
Topics: Male; Humans; Receptors, Bombesin; Prostatic Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Up-Regulation; Radioisotopes
PubMed: 38442298
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2320301 -
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases Sep 2023Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. While racial and ethnic differences exist in incidence and mortality, increasing data suggest... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. While racial and ethnic differences exist in incidence and mortality, increasing data suggest outcomes by race among men with newly diagnosed PC are similar. However, outcomes among races beyond Black/White have been poorly studied. Moreover, whether outcomes differ by race among men who all have metastatic PC (mPC) is unclear. This systematic literature review (SLR) provides a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence relating race to survival in mPC.
METHODS
An SLR was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE®, Embase, and Cochrane Library using the Ovid® interface were searched for real-world studies published from January 2012 to July 2022 investigating the impact of race on overall survival (OS) and prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) in patients with mPC. A supplemental search of key congresses was also conducted. Studies were appraised for risk of bias.
RESULTS
Of 3228 unique records identified, 62 records (47 full-text and 15 conference abstracts), corresponding to 54 unique studies (51 United States and 3 ex-United States) reporting on race and survival were included. While most studies showed no difference between Black vs White patients for OS (n = 21/27) or PCSM (n = 8/9), most showed that Black patients demonstrated improved OS on certain mPC treatments (n = 7/10). Most studies found no survival difference between White patients and Hispanic (OS: n = 6/8; PCSM: n = 5/6) or American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) (OS: n = 2/3; PCSM: n = 5/5). Most studies found Asian patients had improved OS (n = 3/4) and PCSM (n = 6/6) vs White patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Most studies found Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN patients with mPC had similar survival as White patients, while Black patients on certain therapies and Asian patients showed improved survival. Future studies are needed to understand what aspects of race including social determinants of health are driving these findings.
Topics: Humans; Male; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian People; Black People; Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms; Neoplasm Metastasis; Hispanic or Latino; Asian; White; United States; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 37592001
DOI: 10.1038/s41391-023-00710-1 -
Epigenetics Dec 2023DNA damage is frequently utilized as the basis for cancer therapies; however, resistance to DNA damage remains one of the biggest challenges for successful treatment...
DNA damage is frequently utilized as the basis for cancer therapies; however, resistance to DNA damage remains one of the biggest challenges for successful treatment outcomes. Critically, the molecular drivers behind resistance are poorly understood. To address this question, we created an isogenic model of prostate cancer exhibiting more aggressive characteristics to better understand the molecular signatures associated with resistance and metastasis. 22Rv1 cells were repeatedly exposed to DNA damage daily for 6 weeks, similar to patient treatment regimes. Using Illumina Methylation EPIC arrays and RNA-seq, we compared DNA methylation and transcriptional profiles between the parental 22Rv1 cell line and the lineage exposed to prolonged DNA damage. Here we show that repeated DNA damage drives the molecular evolution of cancer cells to a more aggressive phenotype and identify molecular candidates behind this process. Total DNA methylation was increased while RNA-seq demonstrated these cells had dysregulated expression of genes involved in metabolism and the unfolded protein response (UPR) with Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) identified as central to this process. Despite the limited overlap between RNA-seq and DNA methylation, oxoglutarate dehydrogenase-like (OGDHL) was identified as altered in both data sets. Utilising a second approach we profiled the proteome in 22Rv1 cells following a single dose of radiotherapy. This analysis also highlighted the UPR in response to DNA damage. Together, these analyses identified dysregulation of metabolism and the UPR and identified ASNS and OGDHL as candidates for resistance to DNA damage. This work provides critical insight into molecular changes which underpin treatment resistance and metastasis.
Topics: Humans; Male; DNA Methylation; Multiomics; Prostatic Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; DNA Damage
PubMed: 37196186
DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2214047 -
The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Nuclear Medicine; Male
PubMed: 38860272
DOI: 10.23736/S1824-4785.24.03578-7