Seth P. Lerner, MD, Professor of Urology and holder of the Beth and Dave Swalm Chair in Urologic Oncology in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor University, provides an update on recent trials and treatment options for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer (UTUC). He begins with the OLYMPUS study, outlines the rationale for neoadjuvant therapy, reviews ECOG’s EA8141 trial, and concludes with a discussion of adjuvant therapy.
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Abraham Morgentaler, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Urologic Surgery at Harvard University, reviews day three of the 3rd annual meeting of the Androgen Society, an international organization consisting of healthcare professionals interested in testosterone deficiency and its treatment. The day began when Martin Miner, MD, and Jean-Paul Deslypere, MD, PhD, debated the correct threshold for diagnosing testosterone deficiency, ultimately concluding that the lower the T level, the better. Dr. Desylpere then discussed the role of active metabolites of testosterone in manhood, specifically the importance of testosterone in developing structural and functional characteristics of the sex. Hugh Jones, MD, followed with an analysis of androgen receptor sensitivity and its implications for clinical disorders and mortality. Abdulmaged Traish, PhD, then presented on whether or not age-related testosterone deficiency should be treated, respectfully disagreeing with the FDA’s position on not treating men with age-related hypogonadism. Martin Miner, MD, then looked at the relationship between testosterone and mood, depression, and dementia. Next, David Sullivan, MS, PhD, shared information about the preventative effect of androgens on dry eyes. Ernani Rhoden, MD, spoke on testosterone and gynecomastia before engaging in a debate on whether testosterone therapy may be used as monotherapy treatment of erectile dysfunction. The day concluded with a discussion by Dr. Morgentaler on testosterone, science, and human dignity that stemmed from his experiences with patients wanting testosterone therapy despite the impact on their life expectancies out of a desire to improve their quality of life.
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Abraham Morgentaler, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Urologic Surgery at Harvard University, reviews the second day of the 3rd annual meeting of the Androgen Society, an international organization consisting of healthcare professionals interested in testosterone deficiency and its treatment. The day began with presentations on testosterone therapy and type 2 diabetes by Gary Wittert, MD, Hugh Jones, MD, and Farid Saad, MD. These presenters suggested that testosterone could lead to remission of diabetes mellitus, potentially prevent diabetes, and improve glycemic control. They were followed by a presentation on testosterone, anemia, and hematocrit by Sudarshan Ramachandran, PhD, one on COVID-19 and testosterone by Mary Samplaski, MD, and a panel discussion on testosterone’s impact on prostate cancer. Mohit Khera, MD, presented on the possibility of testosterone therapy performing a protective and/or therapeutic role against prostate cancer. Sharon Parish, MD, and Leah Millheiser, MD, presented on testosterone therapy for women and how it benefits sexual function. The day concluded with a presentation by Daniel Kelly, MD, on the complex, context-dependent relationship between testosterone and atherosclerosis.
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Abraham Morgentaler, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Urologic Surgery at Harvard University, reviews the first day of the 3rd annual meeting of the Androgen Society, an international organization consisting of healthcare professionals interested in testosterone deficiency and its treatment. Dr. Morgentaler notes that the day began with a presentation on the history of testosterone by Dr. Nieschlag, followed by a presentation by Drs. Ethan D. Grober and Michael S. Irwig on transgender men and the physical impact of testosterone. Dr. Morgentaler then reviews a panel discussion that covered the use of free testosterone, erythrocytosis management, and the role of testosterone therapy and PDE5 inhibitors in men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. He goes on to summarize presentations by Drs. E. David Crawford and Omer Raheem which covered the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in local disease, biochemical failure, and advanced disease, as well as the sexual effects of testosterone. Dr. Crawford presented data showing that there is value in having a testosterone level below 20 nanograms per deciliter, and Dr. Raheem discussed a study that found that different forms of ADT should be used depending on patients’ cardiovascular issues. Dr. Morgentaler concludes by considering new testosterone formulations, including testosterone undecanoate, an oral soft gel, and injectables.
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Siamak Daneshmand, MD, Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Southern California (USC), along with Anne Schuckman, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the USC, and Sima P. Porten MD, MPH, Associate Professor at the USC participated in a panel discussion on the Cxbladder Genomic Urine Test for Bladder Cancer at the 5th Annual International Bladder Cancer Update. Dr. Daneshmand reviews a research study that audited the clinical utility of the Cxbladder monitor assay and found that it accurately ruled out patients who did not have recurrent UC, enabling low risk patients to undergo cystoscopy at a longer-than-recommended interval, thereby reducing the cystoscopy burden by 39%. He then asks Drs. Porten and Schuckman questions about their experience with Cxbladder, leading the two to discuss ideal patient populations for Cxbladder, in-home sampling procedures, and situations wherein Cxbladder is most effective.
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