PCa Commentary # 177 – DECIPHER: Predicting Prognosis and Assisting Treatment Decisions

by Dr. Ed Weber | May 10, 2023 | PCa Commentary

Decipher assays the RNA expression of 22 genes and estimates the rate of distant metastases at 5 years and prostate cancer-specific mortality at 10 years, thus providing risk stratification to assist in treatment decisions. Three examples: providing guidance for men...

PCa Commentary #176 – PARP Inhibition with Olaparib: — A Potential New Indication for First-line Therapy for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

by Dr. Ed Weber | May 4, 2023 | PCa Commentary

  But First, the Biology of Inhibition of PARP (Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase): Briefly.  In the myriad of cell divisions random mistakes are made in the faithful transcription of DNA into daughter cells. Some errors are of no consequence (passenger mutations),...

PCa Commentary #175 – Metastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC):

by Dr. Ed Weber | Mar 30, 2023 | PCa Commentary

  Treatment regimens for mHSPC have been multiply meta-analyzed, likely because of its increasing occurrence. “mHSPC” refers to metastatic cancer imaged at initial diagnosis prior to primary therapy. The higher incidence may be due to the decrease in PSA testing...

PCa Commentary #173 – Sequencing Bat With Xtandi: An Effective Option

by Dr. Ed Weber | Mar 29, 2023 | PCa Commentary

Bipolar Androgen Therapy (BAT) has been validated as an effective, but likely underused, option in the sequence of treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).   What is BAT and Where Does It Fit In?  BAT is the monthly cyclic elevation of...

PCa Commentary #174 – MANAGING BIOCHEMICAL FAILURE AFTER RADIATION THERAPY — The Importance of Considering Both PSA and PSA Doubling Time.

by Dr. Ed Weber | Feb 14, 2023 | PCa Commentary

  The set-point for biochemical failure was standardized in 2006 based on a consensus conference of experts in Phoenix, Arizona. The value agreed upon was “PSA + 2 ng/mL above the post-radiation PSA nadir  — hence the “Phoenix Definition.” (Roach et...

PCa Commentary #172 – METASTASES DIRECTED THERAPY (MDT): Can Concomitant Hormone Suppression Be Avoided?

by Dr. Ed Weber | Dec 28, 2022 | PCa Commentary

Metastases Directed Therapy refers to targeted radiation, i.e., such as CyberKnife, directed at a few metastatic lesions, (osseous or nodal), usually 3 – 5, for the purpose of controlling all imageable disease, delaying cancer progression and, if not accompanied...