In a nutshell The aim of this study was to determine the effect of biomarkers to tailor therapy in advanced prostate cancer in patients receiving abiraterone (Zytiga) treatment. The authors concluded that alkaline phosphatase (ALP- protein elevated in the blood), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH – protein involved in tumor growth) and prostate...
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Comparison between low and high dose brachytherapy followed by radiation in prostate cancer
In a nutshell The authors aimed to compare urinary symptoms in men with localized prostate cancer treated with either low-dose or high-dose rate brachytherapy in combination with radiation therapy. The authors concluded the both low-dose and high-dose brachytherapy with IMRT was safe and well-tolerated by patients. However, it took longer to recover...
Read MoreComparing the side effects of treatment options for localized prostate cancer
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the outcomes and side effects of radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy, and active surveillance in men with localized prostate cancer. This study concluded that radical prostatectomy led to a greater decrease in sexual function and urinary continence compared to the other two treatment...
Read MoreThe effect of apalutamide on advanced, hormone-resistant prostate cancer
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effectiveness of apalutamide before or after treatment with abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) and prednisone (Deltasone) in men with advanced, hormone-resistant prostate cancer. The authors concluded that apalutamide was a safe treatment option and demonstrated effectiveness against advanced,...
Read MoreImmunotherapies and their use in prostate cancer
In a nutshell The authors aimed to review immunotherapies available for prostate cancer treatment. The authors concluded that further research into immunotherapy for prostate cancer is needed to more accurately assess the effect of immunotherapies as a viable treatment option for prostate cancer. Some background Targeting the immune system is a...
Read MoreColon Cancer Patient Advocate Shares Her Story
In April, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) held a free education event on cancer called Progress and Promise Against Cancer in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by experts in cancer research, Kim Hall Jackson shared her patient story. One evening in 2008, Jackson, an event planner, was running the mayor’s inaugural event in...
Read MoreImaging and biopsy in men undergoing active surveillance
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)/ultrasound fusion biopsy improves Gleason grade detection compared to systematic biopsy in active surveillance. The authors concluded that due to the low sensitivity of mpMRI for detecting cancer grade 7 or higher, systematic biopsy will still need...
Read MoreLocal therapy and improved survival in advanced prostate cancer
In a nutshell The authors aimed to compare outcomes after local therapy versus no local therapy in men with advanced prostate cancer (cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland). The authors concluded that local therapy resulted in better outcomes when compared to no local therapy. They also concluded that in patients who received local...
Read MoreSearching for men to test focal therapy for ablation of prostate cancer
In a nutshell This study aims to test the effectiveness of focal ablation (laser therapy used to remove and kill cancer cells) of large prostate cancer sites using ultrasound and biopsy (tissue samples taken from the cancer site) one year after treatment. The main outcome to be measured will be the removal of cancer cells confirmed by a negative biopsy...
Read MoreLooking for patients to compare high and low dose brachytherapy
In a nutshell The aim of this trial was to determine the difference in quality of life on urination when treated with low dose rate (LDR) and high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. This study is being conducted in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The details Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy that places radioactive material either within...
Read MoreSearching for patients to test the effectiveness of docetaxel and carboplatin in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer
In a nutshell The aim of this trial is to determine the effectiveness of a combination of the chemotherapies docetaxel (Taxotere) and carboplatin (Paraplatin) in advanced (spread beyond the prostate) prostate cancer. The main outcome to be measured is the number of patients who experience a decrease of 50% in prostate specific...
Read MoreQuick Guide: Understanding the Importance of the FDA’s Keytruda Approval
In July 2015, we published a post called Patients Included In Research: Studying Cancer by Mutation Not Organ. In that post, we shared the goal that cancers would be treated not by the site of origin, but rather by their genetic features. Achieving this goal is closer than you think! This week the FDA announced accelerated approval** of a...
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