Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Evading immune surveillance is a hallmark for the development of multiple cancer types. Whether immune evasion contributes to the pathogenesis of high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) remains an area of active inquiry. METHODS:Through single-cell RNA sequencing and multicolor flow cytometry of freshly isolated prostatectomy specimens and matched peripheral blood, we aimed to characterize the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) of localized prostate cancer (PCa), including HGPCa and low-grade prostate cancer (LGPCa). RESULTS: TILs. The PCa TME was infiltrated by macrophages but these did not clearly cluster by M1 and M2 markers. CONCLUSIONS:T cell exhaustion in localized PCa, a finding enriched in HGPCa relative to LGPCa. These studies suggest a possible link between the clinical-pathologic risk of PCa and the associated TME. Our results have implications for our understanding of the immunologic mechanisms of PCa pathogenesis and the implementation of immunotherapy for localized PCa.

BACKGROUND:Three-dimensional (3D) printed anatomic models can facilitate presurgical planning by providing surgeons with detailed knowledge of the exact location of pertinent anatomical structures. Although 3D printed anatomic models have been shown to be useful for pre-operative planning, few studies have demonstrated how these models can influence quantitative surgical metrics. OBJECTIVE:To prospectively assess whether patient-specific 3D printed prostate cancer models can improve quantitative surgical metrics in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS:Patients with MRI-visible prostate cancer (PI-RADS V2 ≥ 3) scheduled to undergo RARP were prospectively enrolled in our IRB approved study (n = 82). Quantitative surgical metrics included the rate of positive surgical margins (PSMs), operative times, and blood loss. A qualitative Likert scale survey to assess understanding of anatomy and confidence regarding surgical approach was also implemented. RESULTS:The rate of PSMs was lower for the 3D printed model group (8.11%) compared to that with imaging only (28.6%), p = 0.128. The 3D printed model group had a 9-min reduction in operating time (213 ± 42 min vs. 222 ± 47 min) and a 5 mL reduction in average blood loss (227 ± 148 mL vs. 232 ± 114 mL). Surgeon anatomical understanding and confidence improved after reviewing the 3D printed models (3.60 ± 0.74 to 4.20 ± 0.56, p = 0.62 and 3.86 ± 0.53 to 4.20 ± 0.56, p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS:3D printed prostate cancer models can positively impact quantitative patient outcomes such as PSMs, operative times, and blood loss in patients undergoing RARP.

BACKGROUND:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted prostate biopsy has become an increasingly common method of diagnosing prostate cancer. A previous study from our institution demonstrated that the biopsy global Grade Group (gGG, aggregate GG of all positive cores) and highest Grade Group (hGG in any core) both show substantial concordance with the Grade Group at radical prostatectomy (RPGG) while the discordance predominantly consists of upgrading in gGG and downgrading in hGG. We performed a larger cohort study focused on biopsy cases in which gGG and hGG differ, to determine their relative concordance with RPGG. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective review of radical prostatectomy specimens with prior MRI-targeted biopsies from our institution between 2016 and 2020. Separate gGG and hGG were assigned to each MRI-targeted lesion. Targeted lesions with different gGG versus hGG were segregated from those with identical gGG and hGG. The concordance of biopsy GG with RPGG was evaluated using κ coefficient analysis. RESULTS:Of the 489 lesions with MRI-targeted biopsies, 82 (17%) differed in gGG versus hGG. The gGG of 46 (56%), 33 (40%), and 3 (4%) lesions were unchanged, upgraded, and downgraded at radical prostatectomy, respectively (κ= 0.302, weighted κ = 0.334). The hGG of 24 (29%), 9 (11%), and 49 (60%) lesions were unchanged, upgraded, and downgraded at radical prostatectomy, respectively (κ = 0.040, weighted κ = 0.198). When stratified by the biopsy GG, gGG showed the highest concordance in GG2 (61%) and GG3 (54%) lesions. The hGG resulted in substantial downgrading (60%) with less optimal concordance regardless of the biopsy GG. Neither the prebiopsy prostate specific antigen level nor the PI-RADS score was predictive of upgrading of gGG. CONCLUSIONS:When gGG and hGG differ, gGG method more accurately predicts the RPGG than hGG, particularly in GG2 and GG3 lesions which comprised the majority of targeted lesions.

OBJECTIVE:Our purpose was to critically evaluate time dependent sexual function following primary partial gland cryo-ablation (PGCA) stratified according to baseline erectile function. METHODS:Between March 2017 and March 2022, all men undergoing primary PGCA by two surgeons were enrolled in an IRB approved outcomes registry. All subjects with PIRADS 2-5 lesion concordant with unilateral GGG 1-3 disease, no gross extra-prostatic extension on mpMRI, GGG >1 contralateral to the ROI, or distal apical disease on mpMRI were enrolled. Patients completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) scale at baseline, 6, and 24 months. Men were stratified by baseline erectile function. Men with SHIM Score < 8 were excluded. Ability to sustain erection (aka "potency") was defined as a score of 3 or greater on question 2 of the SHIM index. Median SHIM scores and the proportion of men reporting "potency" at baseline, 6, and 24 months was recorded with comparisons between each timepoint. A univariate analysis was used to determine if clinical factors were associated with loss of "potency" at 24 months. RESULTS:106 men met the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean SHIM scores for the entire cohort between baseline to 6 months and baseline to 24 months. SHIM scores increased significantly for the total cohort between 6 and 24 months. "Potency" was preserved in 70% at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS:Those patients most likely to exhibit a decrease in sexual function have moderate ED at baseline. Only baseline ED was shown to predict preservation of "potency".

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the cancer detection rate (CDR) between the 2 dominant spatial tracking methodologies in software-guided MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion prostate biopsy (SGF-Bx) platforms: fixed-arm and free-hand. METHODS:We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on published primary analyses of prospective trials and cohort studies that enrolled biopsy-naïve patients for SFG-Bx. Inclusion criteria included the use of the Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) v2.0 or later and the targeting of lesions graded as PI-RADS 3 or higher. Random effects models were used to assess the overall prostate cancer (PCa) CDR and the clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) CDR for both platforms. csPCa was standardized to a definition of Gleason Grade Group 2 or higher when possible. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratifying studies into the average number of cores taken per lesion. RESULTS:The PCa CDR was 0.674 for free-hand systems and 0.681 for fixed-arm systems. The csPCa CDR was 0.492 for free-hand systems and 0.500 for fixed-hand systems. There was no significant difference between free-hand and fixed-arm cancer detection rates for both overall PCa (P = .88) and csPCa (P = .90). Subgroup analyses revealed significant PCa CDR and csPCa CDR differences (P < .001) between free-hand and fixed-arm platforms only when 2 cores per lesion were taken, in favor of fixed-arm platforms. CONCLUSIONS:Fixed-arm platforms performed similarly in cancer detection to free-hand platforms but show a minor benefit on fewer samples. While tracking methodology differences appear subtle, further investigation into the clinical impact of platform-specific features are warranted.

Introduction: We aimed to determine cancer detection rates following early repeat multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and biopsy of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS), v2.1 4 and 5 regions of interest (ROI) exhibiting no clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) on prior biopsy and to identify predictors for these missed csPCa. Methods: Between January 2019 and August 2020, 36 men with 38 PI-RADS 4 or 5 ROI with no evidence of csPCa (defined as Gleason grade group [GGG] >1) on prior MRI fusion target biopsy (MRFTB) + systematic biopsy (SB) were invited to participate in the present prospective study. All men underwent repeat mpMRI and persistent PI-RADS >2 ROI were advised to undergo repeat MRFTB+SB. Cancer detection rates of any and csPCa were determined. Relative risk was calculated to analyze association of baseline variables with the finding of csPCa on repeat biopsy. Results: Of the 38 initial PI-RADS 4 and 5 ROI, on followup mpMRI, 14 were downgraded to PI-RADS 1/2 and, per protocol, did not undergo repeat biopsy and; eight (33%), 12 (50%), and four (17%) were PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 respectively. Of these 24 persistently suspicious mpMRI ROI, 20 (83%) underwent repeat biopsy and six (30%), six (30%), and eight (40%) were benign, GGG 1, and GGG >1, respectively. Only prostate-specific antigen ≥10 ng/mL was a predictor for missed csPCa. Conclusions: Our prospective study supports a recommendation for early repeat mpMRI of all PI-RADS 4 or 5 ROI exhibiting no csPCa, with repeat MRFTB + SB of persistent PI-RADS >2 ROI .

INTRODUCTION:To consolidate reported information on presentation, diagnosis, and treatment modalities in testicular schistosomiasis (TS) to provide a reference tool for this rare disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A comprehensive PubMed search was performed using PRISMA guidelines, which yielded 21 articles detailing 22 cases of TS. RESULTS:Testicular schistosomiasis remains a rare disease, presenting at a variety of ages (median age 27). All reports of this condition are associated with exposure to an endemic area. The most common presenting symptoms include nonspecific testicular swelling (54.5%) followed by a testicular mass/nodule (18.4%). Diagnosis relies upon clinical suspicion due to low specificity on laboratory and imaging evaluation, with only 18% of urine evaluations positive for parasitic infection. Final diagnosis was made on biopsy (38.1%), radical orchiectomy (47.6%) or frozen section during partial orchiectomy (14.3%). Treatment included anthelmintic mediation (37%), radical/partial orchiectomy (31%), or some combination of the above. CONCLUSIONS:This systematic review of individual patient data reveals that while urine tests and imaging may aid in diagnosis, all patients require definitive histologic diagnosis. It is important to obtain a thorough history to elucidate exposure to endemic areas and inform whether biopsy, and subsequent testicular preservation, may be appropriate.