Latest Videos

Forward Progress in Molecular Markers in Prostate Cancer

Matthew R. Cooperberg, MD, MPH, Professor of Urology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Helen Diller Family Chair in Urology at the University of California, San Francisco, explores a range of biomarkers used for diagnosis, risk stratification, and guiding treatment for prostate he cancer. He first details pre-biopsy diagnosis or prostate cancer, including PSA, 4K, phi, MyProstateScore, ExoDX, SelectMDx, and mpMRI. Dr. Cooperberg discusses how post-diagnosis biomarkers must be shown to improve on an existing, validated, multivariable model reflecting all available clinical information rather than on a single variable or nonlinear risk grouping, and reviews post-diagnosis options for risk stratification and treatment.

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ADT and Cognitive Health

Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH, the Jenkins/Pokempner Director of Preventive/Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) at the University of Michigan Medical Center in the Department of Urology in Ann Arbor, Michigan, interviews Celestia S. Higano, MD, FACP, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia and Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, about the importance of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) screening to preserve bone health in men initiating androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Dr. Moyad begins by highlighting the findings of an article recently published in JAMA which showed that while DEXA screening was associated with a decreased risk of osteoporotic fracture, only 7.9% of older men starting ADT received this screening. Dr. Moyad argues that this demonstrates that while many focus on calcium and vitamin D deficiency as the causes of bone issues in men on ADT, the real deficiency is in DEXA screening. Dr. Higano concurs, explaining that the only good way to monitor bone density in men on ADT is to get a baseline, and noting that every patient in her practice undergos DEXA screening before initiating ADT unless they are on a bone health agent already. She also mentions that she performs a repeat DEXA after a year. Dr. Moyad then considers whether quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is a reasonable alternative to DEXA, arguing that it is not since it is more expensive, uses a lot of radiation, and overestimates bone health issues. Dr. Higano agrees, observing that QCT was designed as a research tool rather than a diagnostic one, while DEXA is the “gold standard” in this area. They then hypothesize that some clinicians are switching from DEXA to QCT because of higher reimbursement rates. Drs. Moyad and Higano conclude by underscoring that wider DEXA screening is the most significant change needed to preserve bone health in men on ADT.

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The Role of Legislation in Innovation and Inequality in Medicine

Congressman Gregory F. Murphy, MD, a practicing urologist and the Representative from North Carolina’s 3rd District, speaks with E. David Crawford, MD, concerning the federal approval process for new medical treatments and racial inequality in medicine. The two note that prior to the Covid-19 vaccine it could take a long time to get a treatment approved, and that the Covid-19 vaccine set a new precedent for timelines where medical treatments can reach the general population. Next, Rep. Murphy discusses racial inequity in medicine, specifically how he believes medicine has become an instrument for politics. He states that the focus should be on patients getting the treatment they need, as well as allowing an open opportunity for qualified candidates to get into medical school and enter the profession. Rep. Murphy also discusses his belief that public faith in medicine has plummeted since the Covid-19 pandemic. Rep. Murphy continues by stating that due to the tragedy of the Tuskegee vaccine issues, the black community has a lot of reluctance getting vaccines. Both agree that it is important to remove politics from medicine and for politicians to work on issues in medicine in a bipartisan manner.

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Active Surveillance 2022: Who Qualifies, Who Does Not and How Should it be Monitored

In this 12-minute presentation, Laurence Klotz, MD, Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and the Sunnybrook Chair of Prostate Cancer Research, outlines recent progress in active surveillance (AS), highlighting molecular genetics of GG1 vs. higher grade cancers, patient selection, germline testing, imaging, biomarkers, predictive nomograms, modeling, long-term outcomes, follow-up strategies, the tumor microenvironment, and dietary modifications. Dr. Klotz summarizes current AS follow-up strategy and explains that an emerging strategy is dynamic risk profiling with accurate biomarkers that will replace most serial biopsies.

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