Thulium Fiber Laser versus Vapor Tunnel HO:YAG laser in retrograde intrarenal surgery: which one has better laser ablation performance?

Introduction: Currently, Holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is the gold standard in the treatment of urolithiasis and Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL) has emerged as a new technology with several advantages in terms of dusting efficiency. With the technological advances and the knowledge of laser physics, various Ho: YAG pulse modalities have been emerged. To date, there are no studies that compare the laser ablation performance between TFL and Vapor Tunnel Ho:YAG laser (VT).

Predictive Model of Objective Response to Nivolumab Monotherapy for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma by Machine Learning Using Genetic and Clinical Data: The SNiP-RCC Study.

Purpose: Anti-PD-1 antibodies are widely used for cancer treatment, including in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the therapeutic response varies among patients. This study aimed to predict tumor response to nivolumab anti-PD-1 antibody treatment for advanced RCC by integrating genetic and clinical data using machine learning (ML).

Freehand Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Improves the Detection Rate of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

Objective: Freehand transperineal prostate biopsy (fTP-Bx) has been established as an alternative within the transperineal approach for prostate cancer (CaP) diagnosis. The primary objective was to compare the rate of overall CaP detection and clinically significant (greater than or equal to International Society of Urological Pathology 2) in patients with biopsy-naive between freehand transperineal prostate biopsy (fTP-Bx) and transperineal grid biopsy (TP-Bx) techniques. The secondary objective was to show the characteristics of the procedure and measure the associated complications.

Is the ablation stone efficacy and efficiency better with a flexible and navigable suction ureteric access sheath?

Objective: To compare the ablation efficacy and efficiency of flexible and navigable suction ureteric access sheath (FANS) and conventional ureteral access sheath (c-UAS) in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for kidney stones treatment.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study of 96 patients who underwent RIRS using thulium fiber laser was performed. We divided the patients into Group 1: FANS and Group 2: c-UAS.

Active Surveillance in Prostate Cancer With Intermediate-Risk Features: The PRIAS-JAPAN Study.

Objectives: To report outcomes of active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer in men with intermediate-risk features of International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group 2 and/or clinical stage T2 compared with ISUP grade group 1 and clinical stage T1 in the PRIAS-JAPAN study.

Methods: Patients with prostate cancer diagnosed between January 2010 and February 2024 were included in this study. PSA test, rectal examination, and re-biopsy were performed regularly.

Primary management of prostate cancer by universal health coverage effective coverage index.

Purpose: Prostate cancer is under-researched in many Asian countries because the paucity of comprehensive cancer registries has prevented large studies from comparing primary prostate cancer therapies. We aimed to provide further insights into recent trends in primary prostate cancer management across multiple Asian countries and regions according to universal health coverage.

Methods: This is part of the Asian Prostate Cancer (A-CaP), a prospective and multicenter study conducted in 12 Asian countries.

Mini-endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (mini-ECIRS) for complex urolithiasis.

Introduction: To miniaturize endourological procedures, mini-Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (mini-ECIRS) has emerged as a promising alternative in the treatment of complex kidney and ureteral stones. To date, some data available in the literature have shown good outcomes regarding effectiveness and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the results and postoperative complications of mini-ECIRS in our series.

Anterograde placement of drug-coated balloon for ureteroileal anastomosis stricture.

We describe a case of ureteral stricture after radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder. The patient presented 4 months after laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder, with fever and left lower back pain.Laboratory analysis showed leucocytosis and elevated C reactive protein and creatine levels.

Regression and growth rates in androgen deprivation therapy for advanced castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

Purpose: No study has compared cancer regression (d) and growth (g) rates in patients with advanced castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) treated with androgen deprivation therapy. The comparison of d and g rates provides insight into the differential impact of ADT regimens on tumor dynamics, potentially guiding more personalized treatment strategies. Therefore, we aimed to estimate these rates and evaluate their impact on survival outcomes.

Tumor-associated macrophages impair NK cell IFN-γ production and contribute to tumor progression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are abundant in several tumor types and usually correlate with poor prognosis. Previously, we demonstrated that anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) inhibit NK cell effector functions. Here, we explored the impact of TAM on NK cells in the context of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy after carbon ion radiotherapy to the prostate.

Purpose: This study presents the surgical and oncological outcomes of salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) after carbon ion radiotherapy at a single institution.

Methods: Patients who underwent salvage RARP for local recurrence after carbon ion radiotherapy at Kyushu University Hospital between 2020 and 2023 were included. A single surgeon performed salvage RARP with extended pelvic lymph node dissection.

Clinical features and oncological outcomes of bladder cancer microsatellite instability.

Objectives: Excellent anticancer effect for solid tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI)-high by anti-PD-1 antibody has been reported. In this study, we investigated the clinical impact of MSI status in bladder cancer.

Methods: This study included 205 Japanese patients who underwent transurethral resection for bladder cancer between 2005 and 2021.

Validation of schedules for optimal prostate-specific antigen monitoring after radical prostatectomy.

Background: Early detection of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) is crucial for early treatment and improving survival outcomes. The optimal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring remains unclear, and several models have been proposed. We aimed to externally validate four models for optimal PSA monitoring after RP and propose modifications to improve them.

Current status and future perspective of immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma.

In the last decade, the standard treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has evolved, mainly driven by the development and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Currently, ICI monotherapy and ICI-based combinations with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and targeted therapies against mammalian target of rapamycin or vascular endothelial growth factor have become new standard treatments for first-line and subsequent-line therapies. ICIs play an important role as an adjuvant postoperative therapy, and this field is the subject of active research.

Stent Syndrome: Does the Diameter Matter? Results of a Randomized Trial.

Double-J (DJ) ureteral stents are used for multiple purposes in urology. Even though they temporize the subsequent treatment of lithiasis, they may cause different symptoms that impact quality of life (QoL). In this randomized trial, we assessed whether the diameter of ureteral stents has an impact on catheter-associated symptoms, and their impact on QoL.

Improved urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with lateral pelvic fascia preservation.

The novel technique of lateral pelvic fascia preservation (LPFP) in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has been reported to improve urinary continence recovery. We aimed to investigate surgical and oncological outcomes after RARP using the LPFP technique and compare them with conventional RARP. This study included patients who underwent RARP with and without the LPFP technique.

Clinical factors for tumor response, progression, and survival in nivolumab for advanced renal cell carcinoma in the SNiP-RCC study.

Background: This study is part of the SNPs in Nivolumab PD-1 inhibitor for RCC (SNiP-RCC). Here we aimed to reveal clinical factors for tumor response, progression, and survival in nivolumab for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Japanese patients.

Methods: We included patients from 23 institutions in Japan.

Bone-modifying agents are protective for symptomatic skeletal events in Radium-223 treatment.

Introduction: Radium-223 (Ra-223) dichloride therapy increases overall survival and delays time to the first symptomatic skeletal event (SSE) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases. Bone-modifying agents (BMA) reduce SSE in patients with bone metastasis, but there is little information on their use with Ra-223. This study aimed to investigate the effect of BMA on SSE in patients with bone metastatic CRPC treated with Ra-223 in real-world practice.

Dusting efficacy between the regular setting of holmium laser (Ho:YAG) versus Vapor Tunnel pulse modality for non-complex kidney stones.

The new pulse modality Vapor-Tunnel™ (VT) consists of a very long pulse that uses the minimum peak power, causing the energy to pass through a previously created vapor channel or tunnel. The first part of the pulse creates a vapor channel, whereas the remaining energy is discharged immediately after, passing straight through the previously created tunnel. The aim of this study is to compare the dusting efficacy between Ho:YAG laser with long pulse and Ho:YAG laser with VT for non-complex kidney stones.

NR5A2/HSD3B1 pathway promotes cellular resistance to second-generation antiandrogen darolutamide.

This study investigated cellular mechanisms in steroidogenesis responsible for treatment resistance to the novel antiandrogen agent darolutamide in prostate cancer. HSD3B1 was overexpressed in darolutamide-resistant cells and induced by darolutamide treatment and AR knockdown. Inversely, HSD3B1 knockdown increased cellular sensitivity to darolutamide.

Adverse Events of Abiraterone Acetate vs Enzalutamide.

Introduction: This study aimed to highlight the comprehensive differences in adverse events between abiraterone and enzalutamide based on a big data data set.

Methods: We downloaded adverse event data sets of abiraterone and enzalutamide from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database. We used the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities to treat each adverse event as a preferred term and grouped it into the System Organ Class.

Fusion-targeted biopsy significantly improves prostate cancer detection in biopsy-naïve men.

Objective: The precise diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) is crucial to avoid underdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment. We aimed to compare clinically significant PC (csPC) detection between MRI/ultrasound fusion-targeted prostate (TBx) compared to systematic biopsy (SBx) in biopsy-naïve Japanese men.

Methods: We included patients with suspect PC due to elevated PSA level or abnormal digital rectal examination, or both.