MR Fusion Targeted Therapy: Emerging Management for Localized Prostate Cancer?

Fernando J. Bianco, MD, presented “MR Fusion Targeted Therapy: Emerging Management for Localized PCa?” during the 33rd International Prostate Cancer Update on January 23, 2023, in Vail, Colorado.

How to cite: Bianco, Fernando J. “MR Fusion Targeted Therapy: Emerging Management for Localized PCa?” January 23, 2023. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/mr-fusion-targeted-therapy-emerging-management-for-localized-pca/

MR Fusion Targeted Therapy: Emerging Management for Localized PCa? -Summary

Fernando J. Bianco, MD, aims to decrease the uncertainty that shrouds prostate cancer. He recalls the uncertainty within the history of prostate cancer. Ten years ago, active surveillance often led to radical therapy, which can harm instead of benefit. Currently, localized prostate cancer is on the rise, with a 100% increase in men with localized, metastatic disease. He compares the previous use of random biopsies to the definition of insanity. Bianco describes focal therapy as using an ultrasound machine. Personally, Bianco prefers the term “targeted therapy,” which is based on precision in your diagnosis. He describes hemi-ablation as naive, as most cancers are multifocal. He suggests the arsenal for partial gland ablation is growing. Current options include cryoablation or laser, with future options including radiofrequency or artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, AI can identify specific areas of tumors and reduce bias, which can lead to targeted biopsy rather than a random biopsy. Bianco suggests AI could lead to certainty for patients, giving them the ability to know the exact location, quantity, and type of their lesions, and that treatment will only target the cancer and nowhere else. Bianco presents a review of the literature spanning two years, with a total sample population of over 5,000 patients, that compared efficacy and complication rates of using different energy sources for partial gland ablation (PGA). Out of the modalities, focal laser ablation showed particular promise. Bianco then explains his experience in a phase 1 trial evaluating MR fusion laser ablation in an office setting. Each laser application takes about four minutes, which is notable compared to the about twenty-minute cryotherapy application time. The space of PGA is currently saturated with literature and ongoing trials. Bianco highlights some of the most compelling data, including early-medium-term outcomes in a cryotherapy study, an outcomes registry of office-based MRI/ultrasound-guided-prostate-cryotherapy showing a a low rate of conversion to surgery or radiation, and a study following PSA levels after hemigland cryoablation. He ends on the optimistic notes that payers are now recognizing prostate cancer focal therapy procedures, and that he is confident when talking to patients about the eradication of their tumors, their quality of life post-procedure, and options for future therapies staying open to them post-procedure.

About The 33rd Annual International Prostate Cancer Update:

The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU), founded in 1990, is a multi-day CME conference focused on prostate cancer treatment updates with expert, international faculty. It is led by expert physicians and is designed for urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. The 33rd iteration of the meeting occurred January 22-25, 2023 in Vail, Colorado. To view more educational presentations from IPCU 33, visit our collection page.