Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC

University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC, is a professor of surgery at the University of Toronto and the Sunnybrook Chair of Prostate Cancer Research. Dr. Klotz was the founding editor-in-chief of both the Canadian Journal of Urology and the Canadian Urology Association Journal (CUAJ), and he is now editor emeritus of the CUAJ. Dr. Klotz obtained his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Toronto. He was also a uro-oncology fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Dr. Klotz has 550 peer review publications and eight books. He coined the phrase “active surveillance” and successfully championed this approach for men with favorable-risk prostate cancer against substantial resistance. He was the associate editor of the Journal of Urology, responsible for prostate cancer, for eight years. Dr. Klotz received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for outstanding public service, the University of Toronto's Lister Prize, the Society of Urologic Oncology’s SUO Medal, the American Urological Association’s Richard Williams Award, the University of Toronto's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Canadian Urological Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Harold Warwick Award from the Canadian Cancer Society for “outstanding contributions to cancer control.” In 2015 he was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian award.

Talks by Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC

The miR Scientific Sentinel Assay

Posted by Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC | Feb 2021

Laurence Klotz, MD, Professor of Surgery and holder of the Sunnybrook Chair of Prostate Cancer Research at the University of Toronto, explains how the miR Scientific Sentinel Assay works and its potential benefits for patients with prostate cancer. Dr. Klotz uses results from a September 2020 study to display how the Sentinel PCa, CS, and HG Tests demonstrate high levels of sensitivity and specificity in these patients. The Sentinel™ PCa Test classifies patients based on absence or presence of disease, the miR Sentinel CS Test stratifies patients based on low-risk disease (Grade Group 1) or intermediate- and high-risk disease (Grade Groups 2-5), and the miR Sentinel HG Test stratifies patients based on low- and favorable intermediate-risk disease (Grade Groups 1 or 2) or high-risk disease (Grade Groups 3-5). This is the first report of the development and performance of a platform that interrogates small noncoding RNAs (sncRNA) isolated from urinary exosomes, and highlights the utility of these non-invasive, highly precise techniques for diagnosing and classifying prostate cancer.

MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA) in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer

Posted by Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC | Jun 2020

Laurence Klotz, MD, Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Chair of Prostate Cancer Research, discusses a newly FDA-approved treatment of localized prostate cancer: MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA). He explains how using MRI improves ablation technique, offers a technical overview of the procedure, and then reviews clinical trials of TULSA. As Dr. Klotz describes, MRI thermometry allows physicians to see what temperature the tissue is reaching during ablation, and the use of urethral and rectal cooling helps protect the urethra, making TULSA an effective treatment. He then explores a clinical study of MRI-guided TULSA conducted in five countries that showed a significant reduction of the prostate with minimal adverse effects.

MicroRNA Expression Profiles Identify Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer

Posted by Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC | Apr 2019

Laurence Klotz, MD, discusses a liquid biopsy urine test that uses microRNA expression profiles to identify clinically significant prostate cancer in patients. He emphasizes the ease and efficiency of the technology, in addition to its high degree of sensitivity and specificity.

Using High Resolution Micro-Ultrasound for Prostate Biopsies for Active Surveillance

Posted by Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC | Mar 2019

Laurence Klotz, MD, discusses the limitations of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) targeted prostate biopsy, especially in the active surveillance setting, and how a novel 29 MHz high resolution micro-ultrasound technology could be an improved alternative. Additionally, he describes his experience with this technology at his institution.

Minimizing Morbidity and Maximizing Outcomes with ADT

Posted by Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC | Aug 2018

Laurence Klotz, MD, FRCSC, discusses causes of adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) treatment for prostate cancer and approaches to reducing these side effects. Specifically, Dr. Klotz advises physicians about patient counseling, prescribing innocuous drugs like bisphosphonates and metformin, targeting the adrenal pathway, and utilizing intermittent ADT.