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Unequivocal randomized trial data show that PSA velocity does not benefit decision making in localized prostate cancer. A recent paper suggests that the literature is wrong and that PSA velocity does predict aggressive disease; however, the study design is flawed and the key claim seems to be based on a typographical error.
Recent studies showing that a man's background genetic variations might influence his PSA levels raise the intriguing question of whether screening for prostate cancer with serum PSA testing can be improved by correcting for genotype.
The challenge of optimizing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer has been illustrated by two recent papers. A preclinical study demonstrated that the effects of androgen deprivation on prostatic neoplastic tissue are not necessarily beneficial and a large database analysis showed that practice patterns of ADT are not always in line with recommended guidelines.
Vasectomy reversal is the most common microsurgical treatment for male infertility; although assisted reproductive technology (ART) is an alternative, it is associated with higher costs without offering higher cumulative chances of a pregnancy. In this Review, Schwarzer and Steinfatt discuss the vasectomy reversal procedure, in terms of patient selection, surgical technique and alternative options, and consider the future directions of this complex procedure.
In this Review, Wood and colleagues discuss the use of urine as a source of biomarkers and outline the main proteomic methods that are used to identify biomarkers in urine. Preliminary studies that have been performed to identify potential biomarkers of prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma are discussed.
Kolenko et al. consider the evidence supporting a role for zinc in prostate carcinogenesis and discuss how a better understanding of the mechanisms of zinc homeostasis could be used to improve diagnosis and treatment of men with prostate cancer.
In this Review, Paul and Robaire discuss published data relating to the effect of paternal age on reproductive factors such as sperm quality, fertility, time to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and congenital defects in offspring.
Owing to its strong overexpression in prostate cancer and other urological cancers, the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) might represent a new therapeutic target. Here, the authors describe the role of the GRPR in normal physiology and summarize the available preclinical and early clinical data related to GRPR targeting in prostate and other urological cancers.
