Sanoj Punnen, MD, presented “Integrated Diagnostics for Risk Stratification and Active Surveillance” during the 8th Global Summit on Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer on October 8, 2024.
How to cite: Punnen, Sanoj. “Integrated Diagnostics for Risk Stratification and Active Surveillance.” October 8, 2024. Accessed Feb 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/integrated-diagnostics-for-risk-stratification-and-active-surveillance/
Integrated Diagnostics for Risk Stratification and Active Surveillance – Summary
Sanoj Punnen, MD, from the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the University of Miami, presents a 10-minute discussion on integrated diagnostics for risk stratification and active surveillance in prostate cancer. He highlights data from the long-term Canary cohort of the Miami MAST trial, suggesting room for improvement in surveillance protocols.
Dr. Punnen delves into the utility of genomic classifiers, such as the Decipher test, in predicting cancer progression. Data from the Miami MAST trial reveal that a high Decipher score correlates with a higher risk of progression. Additionally, the PAM50 genomic classifier shows promise, with the luminal B subtype indicating a significantly increased progression risk.
Dr. Punnen emphasizes the necessity of improving genomic tools and incorporating rigorous imaging protocols, like MRI, into surveillance strategies. The findings from this trial lay the groundwork for enhancing active surveillance and ensuring better outcomes for patients with prostate cancer.
The Global Summit on Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer is a unique multi-disciplinary forum organized to inform the key health care stakeholders about the emerging advances in clinical case and research and create a consensus-based vision for the future of precision care and educational and research strategy for its realization. The mission of the Summit is to fill the currently existing gap between the key experts of in vivo imaging, the world authorities in the in vitro fluid- and tissue-based molecular diagnostics, including genomics, and thought leaders in the development of novel observation strategies (e.g., active surveillance, or AS) and therapeutic interventions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sanoj Punnen, MD, MAS, completed his medical school at Queen’s University and urology residency at the University of Toronto in Canada. He then completed a uro-oncology fellowship and Master’s in Clinical Research at the University of California, San Francisco. He is board-certified in both urology and uro-oncology. His primary research interest is in localized prostate cancer. Specifically, his work has evaluated imaging, molecular, and genomic markers that play a role in prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. He is also involved in outcomes and health service research on trends in the incidence and management of prostate cancer.
