Research

UCLA Research in Prostate Cancer

The UCLA Prostate Cancer Program is committed to rapidly translating basic research from the laboratory to the clinic in order to advance care for men with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a disease that, when diagnosed and treated early, is highly curable - and one for which there are many different treatment options, each with its own pros and cons when it comes to efficacy and quality of life impact. UCLA is among the nation's most active centers for prostate cancer treatment, and few centers are as comprehensive as UCLA's Prostate Cancer Program, which not only offers the full spectrum of treatment options, but also integrates research with clinical care.

The UCLA Prostate Cancer Program, in partnership with the Institute for Urologic Oncology (IUO) and the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, is conducting pioneering basic research, cutting-edge translational research and offering newly-designed clinical trials for prostate cancer by internationally regarded researchers. 

UCLA SPORE in Prostate Cancer

As a result of UCLA's commitment to translational research, The UCLA Prostate Cancer Program is the only program in Southern California and one of only two programs in the western U.S. to be designated a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) by the National Cancer Institute.  The UCLA SPORE in Prostate Cancer, led by Robert Reiter, MD, Professor of UCLA Urology and Director of the UCLA Prostate Cancer Program, is a multidisciplinary research program that focuses on some of the major challenges in the field of prostate cancer, as well as fosters innovative research and the recruitment of promising young researchers into the prostate cancer research field. The overall goal of UCLA's Prostate Cancer SPORE is to employ a translational research approach to solve the various unmet needs across the prostate cancer spectrum. With this NIH designation and funding, UCLA is able to enhance our program's ability to consistently integrate laboratory and clinical researchers in a joint effort to improve detection, treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Research Achievements at UCLA

A campus-wide effort to focus on prostate cancer led by researchers working within the UCLA Department of Urology, The UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, the UCLA SPORE in Prostate Cancer and a broad array of departments across the UCLA campus has led to significant research discoveries and achievements with potential major impact on men with prostate cancer. One such example is the December 1, 2020 FDA approval of Gallium 68 PSMA-11 (68Ga-PSMA-11) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of prostate cancer. Known as prostate-specific membrane antigen PET imaging, or PSMA PET, the technique uses positron emission tomography in conjunction with a PET-sensitive drug that is highly effective in detecting prostate cancer throughout the body so that it can be better and more selectively treated. 

Prostate Cancer Research Laboratories

Our UCLA Prostate Cancer Program physician-scientists are conducting leading-edge research in multiple laboratories.  Here is a sampling of the research activities from some of our lab groups – including lab members, publications, and an overview of each laboratory's current focus:

• Dr. Jeremie Calais
• Dr. Andrew Goldstein
• Dr. Amar Kishan
• Dr. Leonard Marks 
• Dr. Robert Reiter
• Dr. Isla Garraway

Health Services Research in Prostate Cancer

Our UCLA Prostate Cancer Program also prioritizes health services research focusing on quality, outcomes, cost-efficiency, and access for patients with prostate cancer, as well as conducting research into ways to improve medical decision making for men with prostate cancer. Dr. Litwin, Chair of UCLA Urology, is director of IMPACT, a statewide prostate cancer treatment program serving low-income, uninsured men in California, which is funded by the California Department of Public Health.  

Clinical Trials for Prostate Cancer

The UCLA Prostate Cancer Program and The UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology (IUO) offers patients access to ground-breaking experimental drugs through its Clinical Trials Program that allows patients to receive tomorrow's approved drugs today. Clinical Trials for Prostate Cancer Currently Open for Enrollment