Precision strikes: PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy in prostate cancer - a narrative review.

Introduction: Radio-ligand targeted therapy is a new and promising concept of treatment Castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Only a few radio-pharmaceutics were approved for usage in treating prostate cancer, among the multiple others tested. We aimed to review and summarize the literature on the therapeutic isotopes specific for PSMA. Methods: We performed a scoping literature review of PubMed from January 1996 to December 2022. Results: 98 publications were selected for inclusion in this review. The studies contained in publications allowed to summarize the data on pharmacokinetics, therapeutic effects, side effects and the medical use of 225Ac and 177Lu radionuclides. The review also presents new research directions for specific PSMA radionuclides. Conclusion: Radioligand targeted therapy is a new and promising concept where Lu-177-PSMA-617 have promising outcomes in treatment according to standard of care.

Not as black as it is painted? The impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical treatment of urological cancer patients in Poland - a cross-country experience.

Introduction: In the majority of Western European countries, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic reduction in urooncological surgeries. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on volume and patterns of urooncological surgery in Poland. Material and methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 10 urologic centres in Poland. Data regarding major oncological procedures performed after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak (March 15, 2020 - May 31, 2020) were evaluated and compared with data from the respective period in 2019. Results: Between March 15, 2020 and May 31, 2020, a total of 968 oncological procedures were performed in participating centres. When compared to the respective period in 2019 (1063 procedures) the overall number of surgeries declined by 8.9%. The reduction was observed for transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) (20.1%) and partial nephrectomies (PN) (16.5%). Surgical activity considering radical nephrectomy (RN), nephroureterectomy (NU), and radical prostatectomy (RP) remained relatively unchanged, whereas radical cystectomy (RC) burden showed a significant increase (90.9%). Characteristics of patients treated with TURBT, RC, NU, PN, and RN did not differ significantly between the compared periods, whereas RP in the COVID-19 period was performed more frequently in patients with a higher grade group (p = 0.028) and positive digital rectal examination (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Surgical activity for urological cancers in Poland has been maintained during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Polish strategy in the initial period of the COVID-19 crisis mirrors the scenario of hard initial lockdown followed by adaptive lockdown, during which oncological care remained undisrupted and did not require particular priority triage.

Tissue engineering in reconstructive urology-The current status and critical insights to set future directions-critical review.

Advanced techniques of reconstructive urology are gradually reaching their limits in terms of their ability to restore urinary tract function and patients' quality of life. A tissue engineering-based approach to urinary tract reconstruction, utilizing cells and biomaterials, offers an opportunity to overcome current limitations. Although tissue engineering studies have been heralding the imminent introduction of this method into clinics for over a decade, tissue engineering is only marginally applied. In this review, we discuss the role of tissue engineering in reconstructive urology and try to answer the question of why such a promising technology has not proven its clinical usability so far.

Analysis of Serum Markers with Regard to Treatment Procedures in Advanced Stage Prostate Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND Biomarkers predicting the efficacy of treatment for locally limited prostate cancer are greatly needed. This knowledge could improve the classification of patients for different methods of treatment and enable better recognition of groups with higher risk of biological recurrence. We prospectively assessed serial blood levels of apoptotic biomarkers and correlated them with response to treatment and clinical factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Blood was collected from 25 patients with prostate cancer before and after surgery, 16 healthy volunteers with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and 14 patients with metastasized disease. Immunoenzymatic methods were used to determine circulating apoptotic and inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), type I receptor (TNFRI), and type II receptor (TNFRII); FAS ligand (FasL); TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRIAL); caspase 8 (Cas8); caspase 9 (Cas9); DNA methylation (metDNA); P-selectin; and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The total circulating fragments of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) were measured directly in serum. RESULTS Peripheral serum prostate-specific antigen increased rapidly together with cfDNA. A negative correlation was noted between tumor volume and TNFRI and TNFRII. Postsurgery P-selectin level was decreased, and metDNA and TNFRII levels were increased. Three comparisons were made between patient groups: surgical vs. BPH; surgical vs. palliative; and palliative vs. BPH. TNFRI, TNFRII, metDNA, P-selectin, Cas8, and FasL were shown to have significant roles. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated significant roles for cfDNA, both TNF receptors, metDNA, and P-selectin as serum biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer.

Retroperitoneoscopic renal pelvis resection as treatment of the urothelial tumor in a solitary kidney.

Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is relatively rare. The standard treatment is invariably radical nephroureterectomy. In selected cases organ sparing surgery is justified. We present the case of the tumor of the kidney pelvis in a solitary organ where laparoscopic approach was successfully applied.

Impact of "non-clamping technique" on intra- and postoperative course after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The use of kidney warm ischaemia during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) may lead to damage of renal vessels and kidney failure. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy done without clamping the renal pedicle is feasible and may be beneficial for the postoperative course. AIM: To compare intra- and postoperative course in patients undergoing LPN with and without kidney warm ischaemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material comprises 38 consecutive patients, who underwent LPN in our department during the years 2008-2009. In all cases renal vessels were identified and dissected at first, then resection of the tumour was done. Warm ischaemia was used only in case of difficulties with identification of tumour margin or with the management of bleeding. Out of 38 operations 13 were done without clamping the renal pedicle (group 1) and in the remaining 25 warm ischaemia was applied (group 2). RESULTS: Mean dimension of resected tumours in groups 1 and 2 was 31 mm and 33 mm respectively (p > 0.05), while parameters of intra- and postoperative course differed significantly between the groups: mean blood loss - 135 ml vs. 354 ml (p < 0.05), time of surgery - 72.6 min vs. 132.2 min (p < 0.05), postoperative drain leakage - 290 ml vs. 504 ml (p < 0.05), postoperative hospital stay - 3.1 days vs 5.3 days (p < 0.05). In all patients baseline creatinine levels were normal while after surgery creatinine elevation over the upper limit was found in groups 1 and 2 in one and in 6 patients respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection of kidney tumour without warm ischaemia is feasible and beneficial in pre- and intraoperatively selected cases. Bleeding from renal parenchyma, which requires renal pedicle clamping, may seriously deteriorate intra- and postoperative course in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for T3b tumor.

With the advancement of laparoscopic equipment and growing operational experience, the number of case reports or descriptions of series of nephrectomies performed in patients with the preoperative diagnosis of venous system involvement has become more frequent in the medical literature. In this article, we present the case of a laparoscopic nephrectomy performed with retroperitoneoscopic access for preoperatively diagnosed renal vein and vena cava thrombus. Operation time was 130 minutes and blood loss was 50 mL. The weight of the specimen was 460 g. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. The pathology report revealed pT3b clear cell cancer (Fuhrman grade 2) with negative margins on the venous cutting line.