Izak Faiena, MD, MSCR, presented “Clinical Trials in Focal Therapy” during the 24th Future Directions in Urology Symposium in August 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
How to cite: Faiena, Izak. “Clinical Trials in Focal Therapy.” August 2024. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/clinical-trials-in-focal-therapy/
Clinical Trials in Focal Therapy – Summary
Peter F. Orio III, DO, MS, focuses on the management of localized prostate cancer, particularly emphasizing the use of rectal spacers to reduce radiation toxicity. In this 14-minute presentation, Orio discusses rectal spacing as a pivotal advancement in radiation oncology, enhancing the safety and efficacy of treatments by physically distancing the rectum from the prostate to minimize exposure.
Orio explores various rectal spacing techniques, including SpaceOAR, Barrigel, and BioProtect. The presentation stresses the importance of precise placement and the role of imaging, particularly MRI, in enhancing treatment accuracy and reducing complications. The variability in implant symmetry across products highlights the need to carefully select and use these technologies to avoid adverse effects.
The discussion concludes with considerations for extending the application of these technologies to other modalities, such as cryotherapy and focal laser ablation, reinforcing the broader implications of tumor spacing in oncologic treatment.
The Future Directions in Urology Symposium (FDUS) is an annual urology think tank and non-CME educational summit that brings together industry figures and experts to discuss the current state of genitourinary care and define future directions in treatment. Dr. Dreicer delivered this educational activity during the 24th iteration of the meeting in August 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Izak Faiena MD, MSCR, is an assistant professor of clinical urology and a urologic oncologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, NY. Dr. Faiena specializes in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as in other urologic cancers. Dr. Faiena earned his MD, with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He then completed his urology residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, where he received multiple research awards for his work in prostate and bladder cancer. After residency, he completed a fellowship in urologic oncology and earned a master of science in clinical research (MSCR) at the University of California, Los Angeles Institute of Urologic Oncology and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, where he obtained significant research funding and conducted and published on clinical trials in urologic cancers. Dr. Faiena's current work focuses on developing and conducting clinical trials in prostate cancer in localized and advanced disease, and his research has been published in leading national and international medical journals.
