Can We Predict Prostate Cancer Metastasis Based on Biomarkers? Where Are We Now?

The incidence of prostate cancer (PC) has risen annually. PC mortality is explained by the metastatic disease (mPC). There is an intermediate scenario in which patients have non-mPC but have initiated a metastatic cascade through epithelial-mesenchymal transition. There is indeed a need for more and better tools to predict which patients will progress in the future to non-localized clinical disease or already have micrometastatic disease and, therefore, will clinically progress after primary treatment. Biomarkers for the prediction of mPC are still under development; there are few studies and not much evidence of their usefulness. This review is focused on tissue-based genomic biomarkers (TBGB) for the prediction of metastatic disease. We develop four main research questions that we attempt to answer according to the current evidence. Why is it important to predict metastatic disease? Which tests are available to predict metastatic disease? What impact should there be on clinical guidelines and clinical practice in predicting metastatic disease? What are the current prostate cancer treatments? The importance of predicting metastasis is fundamental given that, once metastasis is diagnosed, quality of life (QoL) and survival drop dramatically. There is still a need and space for more cost-effective TBGB tests that predict mPC disease.

Contralateral necrotizing fascitis after left nephrectomy for emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Introduction: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma. The management is variable, extending to total nephrectomy in severe or refractory cases. Post-nephrectomy complications are numerous and common, necrotizing fasciitis, and sepsis being among them. Case presentation: We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with obesity and a previous left emphysematous pyelonephritis episode managed conservatively. The patient presented with a second left emphysematous pyelonephritis and underwent a left total nephrectomy. Two weeks later, the patient presented with a contralateral necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall. Subsequently, the patient required several surgical debridement procedures and a vacuum-assisted closure system treatment. Conclusion: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an aggressive infectious disease that requires high suspicion in patients at risk.

[Prognostic factors in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing nephro-ureterectomy]. / Tabaquismo y tumores mayores de 2 centímetros son predictores de mortalidad en pacientes sometidos a nefro-ureterectomías por carcinoma de urotelio alto.

BACKGROUND: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents 5-10% of urothelial carcinomas. It is managed with nephroureterectomy (NUR); however, kidney-sparing techniques are growingly used. AIM: To report the results of a 20-year series of NUR conducted in an academic center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of clinical and pathological characteristics of patients undergoing NUR between 1999 and 2020. Patients were followed for 63 months. Global survival curves (OS) and mortality predictors were established through Cox regression. RESULTS: We included 90 patients with a median age of 68 years undergoing NUR, of whom 68 (75%) had a pelvic tumor and 22 (25%) had a proximal ureteral tumor. A laparoscopic NUR was performed in 60 patients (66%). Thirty-three patients (37%) had tumors confined to the urothelium (pTa), penetrating the lamina propria (pT1) or carcinoma in situ (CIS), 10 patients (11%) had a tumor spreading to the muscle layer (pT2) and 47 (52%) had a tumor spreading to nearby organs (pT3 / T4). Average tumor size was 3.69 cm, nodal disease (pN) was present 12 patients (13%). Twelve patients (13%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. A higher mortality was observed among smokers (Hazard ratio (HR) 8.79, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5-49.0, p = 0.01), patients with tumors classfied as pT≥ 2 (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.01-1.0, p = 0.04) and those with tumors larger than 2 cm (HR 14.79, CI 95% 1.5-272, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking patients, those with invasive tumors (T2-T4) and greater than 2 cm have higher mortality. Therefore, they should not be candidates for conservative management.

Nefrectomía radical con trombectomía de vena cava: 20 años de cirugías por tumor renal / Vena cava thrombectomy in kidney cancer. Report of 32 nephrectomies

BACKGROUND: Vena cava (VC) involvement in kidney tumors occurs in 4 to 10% of cases, and is associated with a higher mortality. Nephrectomy with thrombectomy of the VC, performed by a multidisciplinary team, improves survival. Aim: To report a series of consecutive nephrectomies with caval thrombectomy performed in an academic center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report 32 patients with cT3b and 3c renal tumors, who underwent radical nephrectomy with VC thrombectomy between 2001 and 2021. A descriptive analysis of clinical, surgical and pathological variables was performed. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: The mean tumor size was 9.7 cm. According to Mayo classification 3/32 (9%) patients had a type I thrombus, 10/32 (31%) had a type II thrombus, 8/32 (25%) had a type III thrombus, and 5/32 (16%) had a type IV thrombus. The mean bleeding was 2000 cc. There was one intraoperative death. Nineteen percent of patients had complications >= 3 according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Reoperations occurred in 9%. Pre and postoperative creatinine levels were 1.17 and 1.91 mg/dl respectively (p < 0.01). Pre and postoperative Hematocrit levels were 47.9 and 31% respectively (p = 0.02). Sixty six percent of tumors were clear cell renal cancer, 9% were papillary and 3% were chromophobic. Mean OS was 10 months. Two-year SCE was 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are similar to those reported elsewhere. Despite being an unusual pathology, the surgical technique has been improving, thanks to the multidisciplinary work of urologists and surgeons.

Tabaquismo y tumores mayores de 2 centímetros son predictores de mortalidad en pacientes sometidos a nefro-ureterectomías por carcinoma de urotelio alto / Prognostic factors in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing nephro-ureterectomy

BACKGROUND: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents 5-10% of urothelial carcinomas. It is managed with nephroureterectomy (NUR); however, kidney-sparing techniques are growingly used. AIM: To report the results of a 20-year series of NUR conducted in an academic center. Patients and Methods: Review of clinical and pathological characteristics of patients undergoing NUR between 1999 and 2020. Patients were followed for 63 months. Global survival curves (OS) and mortality predictors were established through Cox regression. RESULTS: We included 90 patients with a median age of 68 years undergoing NUR, of whom 68 (75%) had a pelvic tumor and 22 (25%) had a proximal ureteral tumor. A laparoscopic NUR was performed in 60 patients (66%). Thirty-three patients (37%) had tumors confined to the urothelium (pTa), penetrating the lamina propria (pT1) or carcinoma in situ (CIS), 10 patients (11%) had a tumor spreading to the muscle layer (pT2) and 47 (52%) had a tumor spreading to nearby organs (pT3 / T4). Average tumor size was 3.69 cm, nodal disease (pN) was present 12 patients (13%). Twelve patients (13%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. A higher mortality was observed among smokers (Hazard ratio (HR) 8.79, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5-49.0, p = 0.01), patients with tumors classfied as pT≥ 2 (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.01-1.0, p = 0.04) and those with tumors larger than 2 cm (HR 14.79, CI 95% 1.5-272, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking patients, those with invasive tumors (T2-T4) and greater than 2 cm have higher mortality. Therefore, they should not be candidates for conservative management.

[Vena cava thrombectomy in kidney cancer. Report of 32 nephrectomies]. / Nefrectomía radical con trombectomía de vena cava: 20 años de cirugías por tumor renal.

BACKGROUND: Vena cava (VC) involvement in kidney tumors occurs in 4 to 10% of cases, and is associated with a higher mortality. Nephrectomy with thrombectomy of the VC, performed by a multidisciplinary team, improves survival. AIM: To report a series of consecutive nephrectomies with caval thrombectomy performed in an academic center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report 32 patients with cT3b and 3c renal tumors, who underwent radical nephrectomy with VC thrombectomy between 2001 and 2021. A descriptive analysis of clinical, surgical and pathological variables was performed. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: The mean tumor size was 9.7 cm. According to Mayo classification 3/32 (9%) patients had a type I thrombus, 10/32 (31%) had a type II thrombus, 8/32 (25%) had a type III thrombus, and 5/32 (16%) had a type IV thrombus. The mean bleeding was 2000 cc. There was one intraoperative death. Nineteen percent of patients had complications >= 3 according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Reoperations occurred in 9%. Pre and postoperative creatinine levels were 1.17 and 1.91 mg/dl respectively (p < 0.01). Pre and postoperative Hematocrit levels were 47.9 and 31% respectively (p = 0.02). Sixty six percent of tumors were clear cell renal cancer, 9% were papillary and 3% were chromophobic. Mean OS was 10 months. Two-year SCE was 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are similar to those reported elsewhere. Despite being an unusual pathology, the surgical technique has been improving, thanks to the multidisciplinary work of urologists and surgeons.

Dietary Fructose Promotes Prostate Cancer Growth.

Clinical localization of primary tumors and sites of metastasis by PET is based on the enhanced cellular uptake of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG). In prostate cancer, however, PET-FDG imaging has shown limited clinical applicability, suggesting that prostate cancer cells may utilize hexoses other than glucose, such as fructose, as the preferred energy source. Our previous studies suggested that prostate cancer cells overexpress fructose transporters, but not glucose transporters, compared with benign cells. Here, we focused on validating the functional expression of fructose transporters and determining whether fructose can modulate the biology of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Fructose transporters, Glut5 and Glut9, were significantly upregulated in clinical specimens of prostate cancer when compared with their benign counterparts. Fructose levels in the serum of patients with prostate cancer were significantly higher than healthy subjects. Functional expression of fructose transporters was confirmed in prostate cancer cell lines. A detailed kinetic characterization indicated that Glut5 represents the main functional contributor in mediating fructose transport in prostate cancer cells. Fructose stimulated proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer cells in vitro. In addition, dietary fructose increased the growth of prostate cancer cell line-derived xenograft tumors and promoted prostate cancer cell proliferation in patient-derived xenografts. Gene set enrichment analysis confirmed that fructose stimulation enriched for proliferation-related pathways in prostate cancer cells. These results demonstrate that fructose promotes prostate cancer cell growth and aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo and may represent an alternative energy source for prostate cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies increased expression of fructose transporters in prostate cancer and demonstrates a role for fructose as a key metabolic substrate supporting prostate cancer cells, revealing potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Protective role of intravesical BCG in COVID-19 severity.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the role of BCG instillations in the incidence and mortality of COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: NMIBC patients in instillations with BCG (induction or maintenance) during 2019/2020 were included, establishing a COVID-19 group (with a diagnosis according to the national registry) and a control group (NO-COVID). The cumulative incidence (cases/total patients) and the case fatality rate (deaths/cases) were established, and compared with the national statistics for the same age group. T-test was used for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: 175 patients were included. Eleven patients presented CIS (11/175, 6.3%), 84/175 (48.0%) Ta and 68/175 (38.9%) T1. Average number of instillations = 13.25 ± 7.4. One hundred sixty-seven patients (95.4%) had complete induction. Forty-three patients (cumulative incidence 24.6%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. There is no difference between COVID-19 and NO-COVID group in age, gender or proportion of maintenance completed. COVID-19 group fatality rate = 1/43 (2.3%). Accumulated Chilean incidence 70-79 years = 6.3%. Chilean fatality rate 70-79 years = 14%. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, patients with NMIBC submitted to instillations with BCG have a lower case-fatality rate than the national registry of patients between 70 and 79 years (2.3% vs. 14%, respectively). Intravesical BCG could decrease the mortality due to COVID-19, so instillation schemes should not be suspended in a pandemic.

Bladder squamous cell carcinoma in a pregnant woman: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Bladder tumors in pregnancy are extremely rare. No more than 50 cases have been published to date, including all histologic variants, and only three cases of bladder squamous cell carcinoma have been described. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a clinical case of a 31-year-old woman with bladder squamous cell carcinoma in the second trimester of pregnancy. After a C-section at 30 weeks, we performed radical cystectomy with extended bilateral lymphadenectomy, hysterectomy and right oophorectomy. The Studer neobladder technique was performed for urinary tract reconstruction. Definitive pathology showed invasive bladder squamous cell carcinoma, Grade 2, with microscopic infiltration of the perivesical fat, negative margins, and 3/28 lymph nodes with carcinoma (pT3aN2M0). The patient underwent 18 months of surveillance after radical cystectomy, without recurrence by PET-CT. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder cancer in pregnant women is extremely rare but must be considered in those with recurrent gross hematuria and/or recurrent urinary tract infection. To our knowledge, this case involves the longest recurrence-free survival of a pregnant woman with squamous cell bladder cancer published thus far.

Acute liver failure and liver transplantation secondary to flutamide treatment in a prostate cancer patient.

Flutamide is a first-generation nonsteroidal antiandrogen, used for treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). We present the clinical case of a patient with localized high-risk PCa who started flutamide before radical prostatectomy and evolved with acute liver failure and liver transplantation. Hepatotoxicity induced by antiandrogen therapy, and current indications for first generation anti-androgen therapy were reviewed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a man diagnosed with PCa who evolved with acute liver failure secondary to flutamide, and finally required liver transplantation.

A low-mass planet candidate orbiting Proxima Centauri at a distance of 1.5 AU.

Our nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, hosts a temperate terrestrial planet. We detected in radial velocities evidence of a possible second planet with minimum mass m c sin i c = 5.8 ± 1.9M ⊕ and orbital period P c = 5.21 - 0.22 + 0.26 years. The analysis of photometric data and spectro-scopic activity diagnostics does not explain the signal in terms of a stellar activity cycle, but follow-up is required in the coming years for confirming its planetary origin. We show that the existence of the planet can be ascertained, and its true mass can be determined with high accuracy, by combining Gaia astrometry and radial velocities. Proxima c could become a prime target for follow-up and characterization with next-generation direct imaging instrumentation due to the large maximum angular separation of ~1 arc second from the parent star. The candidate planet represents a challenge for the models of super-Earth formation and evolution.

[Small renal masses. Analysis of 152 cases]. / Masas renales pequeñas: predictores de malignidad en una serie de 10 años.

BACKGROUND: Small renal masses (SRM) are defined as complex organ-confined solid or cystic lesions < 4 cm. Up to 20% of these can be benign. A conservative management with active surveillance can be done in some patients. However, it is difficult to identify patients with a higher risk of malignancy. AIM: To characterize the clinical, radiological and histopathological aspects of patients with SRM, analyzing predictive factors for tumor aggressiveness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients undergoing partial or total nephrectomy for renal tumors between 2006 and 2016. All tumors of 4 cm or less were included. Four histological groups were defined: benign, favorable, intermediate and unfavorable. Two categories of risk were also defined: low and high. Preoperative clinical and radiological variables of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Data of 152 patients were analyzed. Six percent had a benign histology, and the majority was of intermediate risk (74%). According to histological type, clear cell carcinoma was the most common type (74%). Three percent were benign angiomyolipomas. No malignancy predictive variable was identified. CONCLUSIONS: In these patients, the percentage of benign SRM was low. No variable that could predict the presence of a benign or malignant lesion in the definitive biopsy was identified.

Masas renales pequeñas: predictores de malignidad en una serie de 10 años / Small renal masses: analysis of 152 cases

Background: Small renal masses (SRM) are defined as complex organ-confined solid or cystic lesions < 4 cm. Up to 20% of these can be benign. A conservative management with active surveillance can be done in some patients. However, it is difficult to identify patients with a higher risk of malignancy. Aim: To characterize the clinical, radiological and histopathological aspects of patients with SRM, analyzing predictive factors for tumor aggressiveness. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients undergoing partial or total nephrectomy for renal tumors between 2006 and 2016. All tumors of 4 cm or less were included. Four histological groups were defined: benign, favorable, intermediate and unfavorable. Two categories of risk were also defined: low and high. Preoperative clinical and radiological variables of these patients were analyzed. Results: Data of 152 patients were analyzed. Six percent had a benign histology, and the majority was of intermediate risk (74%). According to histological type, clear cell carcinoma was the most common type (74%). Three percent were benign angiomyolipomas. No malignancy predictive variable was identified. Conclusions: In these patients, the percentage of benign SRM was low. No variable that could predict the presence of a benign or malignant lesion in the definitive biopsy was identified.

Estilo de vida y agresividad del cáncer de próstata / Lifestyle and aggressiveness of prostate cancer

El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer una asociación entre diversas variables demográficas y epidemiológicas con la agresividad del cáncer de próstata (CaP). Métodos: pacientes diagnosticados con CaP respondieron una encuesta que incluye el nivel de educación, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV), los antecedentes familiares (HF) de CaP, consumo de alcohol, tabaquismo y otros. Se utilizó análisis univariado y multivariado (AMV) para establecer si los factores mencionados anteriormente afectan las variables asociadas con la agresividad del CaP, como la edad al momento del diagnóstico, el índice de Gleason, los márgenes positivos (MP) y las metástasis óseas (MO), entre otras. Resultados: se incluyeron ciento setenta y dos hombres en el análisis. Los pacientes con HF fueron diagnosticados a edades más tempranas que los pacientes sin HF (55,73 vs 66,45 años, p = 0,0001). Los pacientes que beben tienen un mayor número de MP que los pacientes que no (15 vs 4 pacientes, p = 0,04). El AMV mostró que los pacientes que consumen alcohol y los que fuman (activos o suspendidos) tuvieron un mayor riesgo de MP (OR = 4,45 y 4,1, IC 95 por ciento 1,16-17,07 y 1,14-14,72, respectivamente, ambos p <0,05). Los pacientes con mayor nivel de educación presentaron un mayor riesgo de CaP confinado (OR = 3,42, IC 95 por ciento 1,392-8,434, p = 0,007). Conclusiones: los pacientes que consumen alcohol, fuman y tienen un menor nivel de educación presentaron un mayor riesgo de desarrollar CaP agresivo. (AU)

The aim of this study was to establish an association between various demographic and epidemiological variables with aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: Patients diagnosed with PCa, answered a survey that include level of education, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), family history (FH) of PCa, alcohol intake, smoke and others. Univariate and multivariate analysis (MVA) were used to establish whether the factors mentioned above affect variables associated with aggressiveness of PCa such as: age at diagnosis, Gleason score, positive margins (PM), and bone metastasis (BM). Results: One hundred and seventy two men were included in the analysis. Patients with FH had cancer diagnosed at younger ages (55.73 years to FH vs 66.45 years to no FH, p = 0.0001). Patients who drink had higher number of PM than patients who did not (15 vs 4 patients, p= 0.04). MVA showed that patients who consumed alcohol and patients who smoked (active or suspended) had an increased risk of PM (OR= 4.45 and 4.1, 95 percent CI 1.16-17.07 and 1.14-14.72, respectively, both p<0.05). Patients with higher level of education presented an increased risk of confined PCa (OR= 3.42, 95 percent CI 1.392-8.434, p= 0.007). Conclusions: Patients who consume alcohol, smoke and have lower level of education presented a higher risk of developing aggressive PCa. (AU)

Can testosterone therapy be offered to men on active surveillance for prostate cancer? Preliminary results.

This report presents our experience with T therapy in a cohort of T-deficient men on active surveillance (AS) for Gleason 3 + 3 and Gleason 3 + 4 prostate cancer (PCa). A retrospective chart review identified 28 men with T deficiency who underwent T therapy (T group) for at least 6 months while on AS for PCa. A comparison group of 96 men on AS for PCa with untreated T deficiency (no-T group) was identified at the same institution. The AS protocol followed a modified Epstein criteria and allowed inclusion of men with a single core of low-volume Gleason 3 + 4 PCa. Mean age was 59.5 and 61.3 years, and mean follow-up was 38.9 and 42.4 months for the T and no-T groups, respectively. Of all 28 men in the T group, 3 (10.7%) men developed an increase in Gleason score while on AS. Of 22 men in the T group with Gleason 3 + 3 disease, 7 (31.8%) men developed biopsy progression including 3 men (13.6%) who developed Gleason 3 + 4 PCa. Of 6 men with Gleason 3 + 4 disease at baseline, 2 (33.3%) men developed an increase in tumor volume, and none developed upgrading beyond Gleason 3 + 4. All 96 men in the no-T group had Gleason 3 + 3 disease at baseline and, 43 (44.7%) developed biopsy progression, including 9 men (9.38%) with upgrading to Gleason 7 (3 + 4). Biopsy progression rates were similar for both groups and historical controls. Biopsy progression in men on AS appears unaffected by T therapy over 3 years. Prospective placebo-controlled trials of T therapy in T-deficient men on AS should be considered given the symptomatic benefits experienced by treated men.

Low free testosterone levels predict disease reclassification in men with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether total testosterone and free testosterone levels predict disease reclassification in a cohort of men with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Total testosterone and free testosterone concentrations were determined at the time the men began the AS protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and a chi-squared test to compare groups. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using univariate logistic regression. Receiver-operator characteristic curves were generated to determine the investigated testosterone thresholds. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate time to disease reclassification. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 154 men were included in the AS cohort, of whom 54 (35%) progressed to active treatment. Men who had disease reclassification had significantly lower free testosterone levels than those who were not reclassified (0.75 vs 1.02 ng/dL, P = 0.03). Men with free testosterone levels <0.45 ng/dL had a higher rate of disease reclassification than patients with free testosterone levels ≥0.45 (P = 0.032). Free testosterone levels <0.45 ng/dL were associated with a several-fold increase in the risk of disease reclassification (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.25-14.73). Multivariate analysis showed that free testosterone and family history of PCa were independent predictors of disease reclassification. CONCLUSIONS: Free testosterone levels were lower in men with PCa who had reclassification during AS. Men with moderately severe reductions in free testosterone level are at increased risk of disease reclassification.

Association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism from chromosome 17q12 with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer in a Hispanic population.

PURPOSE: To study the association between the polymorphisms, rs1859962 and rs4430796, from the chromosomes 17q24 and 17q12, respectively, with the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) and its clinical characteristics in a Hispanic (Chilean) population. METHODS: This study included 33 controls and 167 patients diagnosed with PCa. The polymorphisms, rs1859962 and rs4430796, were analyzed on blood specimens using quantitative PCR. The genetic analysis of the qPCR data was performed using the SNPStats program. A comparison between the clinical characteristics of the prostate cancers from the patients and the presence of the different polymorphism genotypes detected in blood specimens obtained from these patients was performed using the IBM SPSS v20.0 software. RESULTS: We observed no association of the SNPs and the risk of developing PCa (OR 0.84, 95 % CI 0.30-2.38, p = 1.0 to rs1859962 and OR 1.94, 95 % CI 0.57-6.52, p = 0.28 to rs4430796), both sporadic and hereditary. However, patients carrying the genotype G/G from the polymorphism rs4430796 had significantly higher PSA levels than patients carrying the other genotypes (15.05 ng/ml to G/G, 10 and 8.11 ng/ml to genotypes A/G y A/A, respectively, p = 0.01). Furthermore, patients with the genotype G/G of rs4430796 had higher tumor volume than other genotypes (9.45 cc to G/G and 5.22 cc to A/G + A/A, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The polymorphism rs4430796 of the chromosome 17q12 appears to be a biomarker for cancer aggressiveness, increased PSA and tumor volume of PCa.

Association of RNASEL and 8q24 variants with the presence and aggressiveness of hereditary and sporadic prostate cancer in a Hispanic population.

To study the association between the polymorphisms Arg462Gln and Asp541Glu from the RNASEL gene (1q25), and the polymorphisms rs620861, rs1447295, rs6983267, rs7837328 from the chromosome 8q24 with the risk of presenting prostate cancer (PCa) and its clinical characteristics in a Hispanic (Chilean) population. The study was performed on 21 control patients and 83 patients diagnosed with PCa. Polymorphisms were analysed from blood samples through real-time PCR by using TaqMan probes, and the genetic analysis was performed with the SNPStats program. Also, a comparison was performed between clinical characteristics of PCa and the presence of the different polymorphism genotypes by using the Minitab software. There was a significant association between the genotype G/G from the polymorphism rs6983267 with an overall increased risk of PCa, in patients both with or without family history of PCa (OR = 4.47, 95% CI = 1.05-18.94, P = 0.034 and OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 0.96-13.35, P = 0.037, respectively). Regarding clinical parameters, patients carrying the genotype C/C from the polymorphism Asp541Glu had significantly higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels than patients carrying the other genotypes (P = 0.034). Moreover, patients with the genotype G/G of rs6983267 had higher PSA levels (P = 0.024). The polymorphism rs6983267 from region 3 of the chromosome 8q24 appears to be a prominent risk factor for PCa and a biomarker for cancer aggressiveness in the group of patients who presented higher levels of PSA at the time of diagnosis.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus radical prostatectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer: long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to assess the overall survival, cause-specific survival and biochemical failure-free survival of a contemporary cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: We did a retrospective cohort study of our institution's registry of patients undergoing either IMRT or RP between January 1999 and March 2010, and assessed Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), age at diagnosis, Gleason score, and digital rectal examination. Two groups were separated according to RP or IMRT treatment and these groups were in turn divided into risk groups according to the D'Amico classification. Overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), mortality from other causes (MOC), and biochemical disease-free survival (BDFS) were assessed. RESULTS: Twelve-hundred patients were included: 993 in the RP group and 207 in the IMRT group.The IMRT group had older age, PSA at diagnosis and a significantly higher percentage of cancer on the needle biopsy (p <0.001). Of the 207 patients who underwent IMRT, 54% presented comorbidities. Median follow-up was 91.7 months for the RP group and 76 months for the IMRT group. The OS at 5 and 7 was 96.2, and 93.7 for the RP group respectively and 88.4, and 83.1 for the IMRT group respectively (p <0.001). There were no significant differences in the CSS in relation to treatment received among the low- and high-risk groups, while in the intermediate-risk group, patients who underwent to RP had a higher CSS than patients who underwent IMRT (99.6% vs 94.1%, p=0.003). The IMRT group had a significantly better BDFS than the RP group (86.4% vs. 74.3%, respectively, p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with RP were significantly younger and had a better prognosis than patients treated using IMRT, and according to our results, RP had better outcomes in terms of OS while IMRT had greater MOC. Treatment modality did not affect the CSS.