Publications by authors named "Steffen Rausch"

Pharmacotherapy of older patients requires special attention to drug interactions, based on an increase in morbidity and elevated need for polypharmacy. Especially for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, interactions may require dose adjustments, discontinuation or switching of co-medication. These interactions are frequently based on pharmacokinetic alterations of drug metabolism via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system, mainly via CYP3A4.

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Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PeCa) is a rare malignancy with poor outcomes in pN+ cases. Prognosis is particularly poor in patients with extranodal extension (ENE) or pelvic lymph node (PLN) involvement. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, the role of adjuvant therapy (AT)-including radiotherapy (ART), chemotherapy (ACT), and chemoradiotherapy (ACRT)-following radical lymphadenectomy (LAD) remains undefined, and optimal strategies are yet to be established.

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Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has emerged as an important endocrine regulator of renal phosphate and vitamin D metabolism and as a factor implicated in pathophysiological processes in further organs, including the heart. In myocardial infarction, elevations of plasma FGF23 can be observed that may be related to left ventricular hypertrophy or fibrosis. A critical event in the development of myocardial infarction and thrombosis is platelet aggregation due to thromboxane A2 (TxA2) formation.

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Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer in men. As soon as androgen deprivation therapy fails, treatment options are limited. Despite intense efforts, hardly any of the T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies that have revolutionized oncological treatment in other cancer entities are yet established for the treatment of PC.

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Purpose: Interdisciplinary tumor boards (ITB) are essential in optimizing treatment recommendations for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) by incorporating oncology guidelines, clinical trials, and patient-specific factors to ensure individualized care. This study examines clinical parameters that influence ITB recommendations, evaluates their adherence to guidelines, and assesses their impact on patient survival.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis, data from 187 mCRPC patients discussed at an ITB in a tertiary care center in 2018 were evaluated.

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Background: Lu PSMA therapy is increasingly used for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treatment. However, data on its efficacy and safety in patients previously treated with Ra remain limited.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study evaluated 233 mCRPC patients treated with Lu PSMA at 5 European centers.

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Article Synopsis
  • Climate change is a significant global health issue, and the healthcare sector, particularly urology, is beginning to adopt Planetary Health concepts to reduce CO emissions from medical procedures.
  • This study presented a new method for analyzing the life cycle emissions of single-use and reusable flexible ureterorenoscopes (fURS), revealing that reusable fURS have a lower environmental and health impact compared to single-use devices.
  • The research highlighted that the production and reprocessing stages contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions and health impacts, emphasizing the need for incorporating sustainable practices in healthcare.
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  • - Collagen fleece grafting (CFG) is typically used for severe Peyronie's disease with curvatures over 60°, but this study explores its effectiveness in mild to moderate cases (less than 60°) that risk penile shortening or have symptomatic plaques.
  • - The study analyzed 89 patients who underwent surgery for Peyronie's disease, finding no significant differences in operation time or complication rates between those with mild/moderate and severe curvature.
  • - Results suggest that CFG is a viable option for achieving penile straightening in selected cases of Peyronie's disease, with similar risks for patients across different curvature severities.
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  • Bone cells produce FGF23, a hormone that helps regulate phosphate and vitamin D levels, with elevated FGF23 linked to chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular issues.
  • The study examined how Prostaglandin E (PGE), particularly through its receptor EP2, influences FGF23 production in bone cells, and found that PGE significantly enhances FGF23 levels.
  • Using different mouse models, the research showed that PGE signaling through EP2 and the transcription factor Nurr1 is critical for FGF23 production, suggesting potential clinical implications for conditions involving inflammation and kidney health.
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The rapid development of molecular medicine has opened up new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of urological tumors. Urology faces the challenge of effectively treating advanced cancer, especially in view of the genetic diversity of urological tumors. The molecular tumor board offers an innovative approach to identify targeted therapy options based on the individual genetic signatures of tumor cells or tumor microenvironment-based treatment options.

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Introduction: Partial cystectomy aims to preserve bladder function, yet its urodynamic impacts remain unclear. We investigate these effects using an ex vivo porcine model, evaluating bladder volume, compliance, and wall thickness, alongside with thermal damage after bi- and monopolar resection.

Methods: Within an artificial human pelvis, we conducted partial bladder wall resections (5 cm2, 10 cm2).

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Introduction: Climate change and global warming are an omnipresent topic in our daily lives. Planetary health and oncology represent two critical domains within the broader spectrum of healthcare, each addressing distinct yet interconnected aspects of human well-being. We are encouraged to do our part in saving our planet.

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Purpose: The anti-NECTIN4 antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin (EV) is approved for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). However, durable benefit is only achieved in a small, yet uncharacterized patient subset. is located on chromosome 1q23.

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In the expanding landscape of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) in high-risk (HR) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the role of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) as prognostic and predictive is increasingly significant. However, data evaluating its variability and susceptibility to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy in HR NMIBC patients is scarce. This retrospective study analyzed 126 HR NMIBC tissue samples from 63 patients (38× BCG-treated, 25× BCG-naïve) at two time points to assess PD-L1 expression using the 'combined positivity score' (CPS) with the 22C3 DAKO antibody method and correlated it with clinicopathological parameters.

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Previous data indicate a role of IL-1 and IL-1RA imbalance in bladder carcinoma (BC); the inhibition of IL-1 signaling might be considered a treatment option. Objective: To assess expression patterns and the prognostic role of IL-1β and IL-1RA in invasive BC and to evaluate their interaction with AKT signaling and proliferation. The study included two independent cohorts of n = 92 and n = 102 patients who underwent a radical cystectomy for BC.

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Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a major regulator of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism in the kidney, and its higher levels in plasma are associated with poorer outcomes in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. It is produced by bone cells upon enhanced oxidative stress and inhibits renal phosphate reabsorption and calcitriol (active form of vitamin D) production. Bilirubin, the final product of the heme catabolic pathway in the vascular bed, has versatile biological functions, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

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Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are then backbone in the therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of this analysis was to explore the different expression of the ICI PD-L1, BTLA, and TIM-3 at the different tumor locations of the invasion front and the tumor center.

Methods: Large-area sections of the tumor center and invasion front of 44 stage pT1-4 clear cell RCCs were examined immunohistochemically using antibodies against BTLA, TIM-3, and PD-L1 and subsequently correlated with clinicopathologic data.

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Background: Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs are risk factors for gross hematuria (GH). Moreover, co-medication and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) may influence GH and its clinical course.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between GH and administration of oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs.

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This compact review article highlights the background and importance of nectins in cancer therapy, focusing specifically on the antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin (EV) as a targeted treatment option for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The evolving understanding of nectin-4 expression and its impact on EV therapy underscores the need for personalized approaches to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Further investigation into biomarker-guided therapies and prospective clinical trials are critical to refining patient selection and treatment strategies.

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Background: The European Association of Urology guidelines include the lutetium-177 (Lu) PSMA-617 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand as a therapy option for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). A major challenge in clinical practice is to pursue a personalized treatment approach based on robust predictive biomarkers.

Objective: To assess the performance of Lu PSMA in real-world practice and to elaborate clinical biomarkers for evaluating treatment responses.

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Introduction: In the present study, a prospective systematic assessment of the clinical utility of the Ambu® aScopeTM 4 Cysto Reverse Deflection with regard to image quality, maneuverability, and navigation in an outpatient and inpatient setting was performed.

Materials And Methods: A prospective multicenter study was performed for evaluation of the instrument during routine cystoscopy. We evaluated the clinical performance of the instruments using a standardized user questionnaire in different categories including image quality, treatment success, imaging of all areas of the urinary bladder, quality of navigation, flexibility of the endoscope, and satisfaction with the device.

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C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) is part of the human chemokine system and involved in progression and metastasis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the role of CXCR4 protein expression in RCC remains controversial. In particular, data regarding the subcellular distribution of CXCR4 in RCC and RCC metastasis as well as CXCR4 expression in renal tumors of variant histology are limited.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the prevalence of NECTIN-4 protein expression in primary tumors and corresponding distant metastases in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), highlighting its role for the antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin (EV).
  • Results showed that membranous NECTIN-4 expression significantly declines in metastatic spread, with nearly 40% of metastases lacking this expression, suggesting that prior receptor status determination may be necessary before EV treatment.
  • The absence or low levels of NECTIN-4 were linked to poorer progression-free survival in patients treated with EV, emphasizing the need to reassess current clinical practices regarding NECTIN-4 receptor testing.
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Purpose: To limit the burden of long-term immunosuppression (IS) after uterus transplantation (UTx), removal of the uterine allograft is indicated after maximum two pregnancies. Hitherto this has required graft hysterectomy by laparotomy. Our objective was to demonstrate, as a proof of concept, the feasibility of less traumatic transplantectomy by total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).

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