2018-2019 News Archive - UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology

Top Medical Advances of the Last Decade

Dec 31, 2019 
Dr. Michael Teitell -- ConSalud.es featured commentary by UCLA Health experts on the top medical advances of the last decade. The experts included in the article were Michael Teitell, MD, PhD, director of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center; Gregg Fonarow, MD, the Eliot Corday Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine and Science; Judith Currier, MD, chief of the UCLA Division of Infectious Diseases; Barbara Geisser, MD, clinical director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program at UCLA; and Dana Hunnes, PhD, senior dietitian at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

MRI-guided Ultrasound Destroys Prostate Cancer

Dec 27, 2019
Dr. Steven Raman -- MedPage Today highlighted research from Steven Raman, MD, professor of radiology and radiological sciences, that found a new MRI-guided ultrasound treatment for men with prostate cancer helped destroy cancerous tumors. Raman is also a researcher at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Novel MRI-Guided Ultrasound Treatment Destroys Prostate Cancer

Dec 06, 2019
Dr. Steven Raman -- The Daily Mail, The Independent, Yahoo! News UK and 13 other media outlets reported on research from Steven Raman, MD, professor of radiology and radiological sciences, on a new MRI-guided ultrasound treatment for men with prostate cancer. Dr. Raman is also a researcher at the UCLA IUO and UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Clues From DNA Could Help Predict Growth of Prostate Cancer

Dec 06, 2019
Dr. Paul Boutros -- OncLive reported on research from Paul Boutros, PhD, director of cancer data science at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCLA IUO researcher, which suggests predicting how a person's cancer will evolve may lie in their inherited DNA.

Grant Awarded to Develop New Imaging Techniques that Target Tumor Environment

Dec 06, 2019
Dr. Jeremie Calais -- Dr. Jeremie Calais, a member of the UCLA IUO and  UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been awarded $105,000 from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. The two-year grant will help fund a new UCLA-led study that aims to advance the method of locating cancer by detecting tumor stroma.  UCLA Newsroom >

Prostate Cancer Program Designated One of the Best in the U.S.

Dec 06, 2019 
Dr. Robert Reiter -- Healio/HemOnc Today and The Cancer Letter reported on UCLA's Prostate SPORE designation, which was given to the prostate cancer program at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCLA Health by the National Cancer Institute. The award comes with an $8.7 million grant to help improve prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

How Immunotherapy Became Fourth Pillar of Cancer Care

Nov 22, 2019 
Dr. Michael Teitell -- The Cancer Letter interviewed Michael Teitell, MD, PhD, director of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, in a question-and-answer series that features leaders in the oncology field. Dr. Teitell spoke about the role of immunotherapy — including CAR T cell therapy — at UCLA.

National Cancer Institute Awards UCLA Prostate Cancer Program an $8.7 million Grant

Oct 31, 2019 
Dr. Robert Reiter -- The UCLA Prostate Cancer Program has been awarded an $8.7 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant from the National Cancer Institute. This award recognizes UCLA's prostate cancer program as one of the best in the country and marks the fourth time it will be receiving the five-year cycle of funding. The grant, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Reiter, Professor of Urology and Director of the IUO Prostate Cancer Program, will support the development of new and innovative approaches for improving the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of prostate cancer.  UCLA Newsroom >

Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award - Class of 2019

October 18, 2019
Amar Kishan, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, has received the 2019 ASTRO – PCF Career Development Award to End Prostate Cancer. Dr. Kishan aims to develop biomarkers that can better select the most appropriate treatment regimens for patients with localized high-grade prostate cancer. For more information > 

Biomarker shows potential in detecting prostate cancer

Oct 04, 2019
Dr. Paul Boutros -- HemOnc Today did a question-and-answer article with Paul Boutros, PhD, a professor of urology, director of cancer data science for the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and IUO member, on his recent study that identified a novel biomarker in urine that could aid in the detection of aggressive prostate cancer. More coverage on UCLA Newsroom > 

Prospective Study Characterizes PCa Risk Linked to BRCA1, BRCA2 Mutations

September 23, 2019
Amar Kishan, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, commented on a study in Renal & Urology News about the mutations in the tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 and the link to the development of prostate cancer (PCa).

Men with High-Risk PCa and Low PSA MAy Benefit More From Surgery Than Radiation

September 23, 2019
Amar Kishan, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, commented on a study in Renal & Urology News about how men with high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) accompanied by low PSA levels may survive longer by undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) rather than radiation therapy.

MRI-Guided Biopsy Best for Determining Future Risk of Prostate Cancer, Study Shows

Sep 13, 2019 
Dr. Leonard Marks -- A recent UCLA study shows that MRI-guided biopsy is best for determining future risk of prostate cancer. Many men who are diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer are recommended for "active surveillance" to monitor their slow-growing tumors. Now, a UCLA study led by Dr. Leonard Marks, professor of urology, has shown that the best way to proceed is by starting out with an MRI-guided prostate biopsy.  The results of the study were published in JAMA. The work, which began in 2009, has been funded by grants from the National Cancer Institute and private philanthropy.  UCLA Health Newsroom >

Age-related Prostate Growth

Aug 06, 2019 
Dr. Andrew Goldstein -- The Medical News, Medicine Newsline and other outlets reported on research led by Andrew Goldstein, PhD, that helps explain why the prostate tends to grow as men age. Goldstein is an assistant professor of urology and of molecular, cell, and developmental biology, and also a member of the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center and the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. JCCC Newsroom > Additional Coverage: Technology Networks

Similarities of Small Cell Cancers to Blood Cancers Could Lead to Better Treatments

July 12, 2019
Owen Witte, PhD -- Medical Xpress, Health News Digest, Health Canal and LabPulse.com reported on a UCLA study finding that small cell cancers from a range of tissues share a molecular signature and drug sensitivities with blood cancers. Thomas Graeber, PhD, a professor of pharmacology; and Owen Witte, MD, a professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics, led the research. Both are members of UCLA's Broad Stem Cell Research Center and UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Noninvasive Test Improves Detection of Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Jul 01, 2019
Dr. Paul Boutros -- A team of researchers from UCLA and the University of Toronto, and led by Paul Boutros, PhD, a professor of urology, director of cancer data science for the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and IUO member, have identified a new biomarker found in urine that can help detect aggressive prostate cancer, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of men each year from undergoing unnecessary surgeries and radiotherapy treatments.  UCLA Newsroom > Additional coverage: MedicalXpress, Scienmag, Daily Heralds and 20 other outlets reported on research from Paul Boutros, PhD, director of cancer data science for the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, about a new biomarker that can help detect aggressive prostate cancer.

Journal of Nuclear Medicine Honors UCLA Research

June 30, 2019
Dr. Jeremie Calais -- The Journal of Nuclear Medicine editors recently honored a  UCLA study, led by Dr. Jeremie Calais, assistant professor of UCLA's Molecular and Medical Pharmacology department and IUO researcher, citing it as one of the most outstanding contributions to their journal in 2018. UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Newsroom >

UGN-101 Active in Unresectable Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer

Jun 25, 2019
Karim Chamie, MD, associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was quoted in a Healio.com article about a promising investigational treatment for unresectable upper tract urothelial cancer.

Dr. Andrew Goldstein to be Awarded NCI R01 Funding

Jun 25, 2019
Dr. Andrew Goldstein, Assistant Professor of Urology and Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, and UCLA IUO researcher, is being awarded R01 funding by the National Cancer Institute. His project, “The Origins of Metabolic Reprogramming in Prostate Cancer,” represents the culmination of several years of background study during and after his doctoral work with Distinguished University Professor Owen Witte. In earning this highly competitive NIH grant, Dr. Goldstein joins the prestigious ranks of R01-funded investigators.

Even Low PSA Levels after RT + ADT Can Predict Prostate Cancer Outcomes

Jun 24, 2019
Amar Kishan, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, commented on a study in Renal & Urology News on how PSA levels can help predict prostate cancer outcomes.

IUO Members Engaged in Second Annual UCLA Bioscience Innovation Day

Jun 21, 2019
UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology members were actively engaged in the second annual UCLA Bioscience Innovation Day held in May. This event promoted awareness of the growing bioscience entrepreneurial ecosystem at UCLA and in the greater Los Angeles region, and fostered partnerships with companies, investors and entrepreneurs. Owen Witte, MD, founder of the Broad Stem Cell Research Center, gave a tribute to Roy Doumani for whom Dr. Arie Bellegrun has a named Chair. Dennis Slamon, MD, PhD, Director of the Revlon/ UCLA Women's Cancer, was seated on the “University PI & Company” panel. Arie Belldegrun, MD, FACS, Director of the UCLA IUO and Doumani Chair in Urologic Oncology, Moderated the “Meet Leaders in the Business of Life Sciences” panel. 

Study Shows More Effective Method for Detecting Prostate Cancer

Jun 12, 2019
Dr. Leonard S. Marks -- CBS Newspath, CBS This Morning, UPI, MedPage Today, The Daily Mirror (London) and other publications reported on findings by a multidisciplinary team of UCLA physicians that demonstrated that combining biopsy strategies allowed for the detection of up to 33 percent more prostate cancers. The CBS story aired 90 times on TV stations across the country. Leonard Marks, MD, who holds the Jean B. deKernion Chair in the department of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and is a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, led the study.  UCLA Newsroom | CBS News

UCLA Professor's Last Gift Will Support Research in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology

Jun 10, 2019
Shortly before financier and UCLA professor Roy Doumani passed away in March, he and his wife, Carol, contributed $5.25 million to advance research in cancer and stem cell biology at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA. Courtesy of Carol Doumani  UCLA Newsroom >

UroToday covers Urology research at AUA 2019

May 24, 2019
UroToday.com reported on various studies presented by UCLA at the American Urological Association's 2019 annual meeting, including:

On metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, featuring Jeremie Calais, MD, an assistant professor of nuclear medicine and theranostics in the department of molecular and medical pharmacology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

On staging for high-risk prostate cancer, featuring Aydin Pooli, MD, urologic oncology fellow and clinical instructor in the department of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

On chemoablation of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, featuring Karim Chamie, MD, an associate professor in the department of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

New Approaches to Treatment-Resistant Prostate Cancer

May 6, 2019
Dr. Jeremie Calais -- Targeted Oncology reported on research led by Jeremie Calais, MD, about treatments for men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Dr. Calais is an assistant professor of nuclear medicine and theranostics in the department of molecular and medical pharmacology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Shorter radiation therapy effective and safe for prostate cancer

May 3, 2019
Dr. Amar Kishan --  HemOnc Today reported on a long-term study led by Amar Kishan, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, finding that men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancers can safely cut treatment from 45 days down to four to five days.

Artificial Intelligence Performs as Well as Experienced Radiologists in Detecting Prostate Cancer

April 16, 2019
Dr. Steven Raman -- Researchers compared the system's results with readings by UCLA doctors who had more than 10 years of experience.  UCLA Newsroom >

UCLA IUO Authors Published in European Urology

April 15, 2019
Dr. Amar Kishan, assistant professor in residence of radiation oncology and researcher in UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the lead author along with several other UCLA IUO members on a paper published in the journal European Urology. In this multi-institutional observational study, whole-pelvis radiation therapy was found to improve biochemical recurrence-free survival in men receiving radiation with a brachytherapy boost, but not in men receiving radiation alone. It is unknown whether this will ultimately improve survival. Full Article >

Tool Helps Prostate Cancer Patients Make Quality-of-Life Decisions

Apr 02, 2019
Dr. Christopher Saigal -- Health Data Management published a story on WiserCare, a shared decision-making tool for oncologists and patients with prostate cancer. Christopher Saigal, MD, vice chair of urology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, created the tool and was quoted.

Treating People with Advanced Kidney Cancer

Apr 02, 2019
Dr. Brian Shuch -- OncLive interviewed Brian Shuch, MD, in a multimedia story about what to consider when choosing treatment for patients with late-stage kidney cancer. Dr. Shuch is an associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Karim Chamie to Deliver the 2019 Elwin E. Fraley Lectureship on Innovation and Science in Urology

Mar 22, 2019
Dr. Karim Chamie -- It has been announced that Dr. Karim Chamie, UCLA Urology Associate Professor, will deliver the 2019 Elwin E. Fraley Lectureship on Innovation and Science in Urology at the University of Minnesota. The prestigious lectureship was established in honor of Dr. Elwin E. Fraley who had a long tenure at the University of Minnesota, where he trained six chairs in urology as well as numerous academics and superb clinical urologists. Nominations for this prestigious honor were drawn from all the academic institutions in the United States, and Dr. Chamie was selected as the ideal candidate based on his prior accomplishments and future promise for making important contributions to the science and practice of Urology.

Is Surgery before Treatment Still Best Option for Patients with Kidney Cancer?

Mar 18, 2019
Dr. Brian Shuch -- OncLive interviewed Brian Shuch, MD, director of the Kidney Cancer Program and member of UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, for an article on the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the treatment of patients with kidney cancer.

Radiation Oncology Expert Interviewed

March 15, 2019
Amar Kishan, MD, assistant professor in residence of radiation oncology and researcher in UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, commented in a Reuters Health article on how hormone therapy is underused in men undergoing radiation for high-grade prostate cancer.

Radioactive Cancer Drugs Could Pose Risk to Cremation Workers

Feb 28, 2019
Amar Kishan, MD, assistant professor in residence of radiation oncology and researcher in UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, commented in a Reuters story about how radioactive drugs may be exposed to cremation workers.

Shorter Course of Radiation therapy Effective and Safe in Treating Men with Prostate Cancer

Feb 13, 2019
Dr. Amar Kishan -- OncLive, Science Daily, Health News Digest, Ecancer and MedicalResearch.com reported on a long-term study led by Amar Kishan, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, that found men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancers can safely cut treatment from 45 days down to four to five days.

Gender Can Influence Cancer-Causing Mutations

Feb 13, 2019
Dr. Paul Boutros -- A Nature news article highlighted research from Paul Boutros, PhD, a professor of urology and director of cancer data science for the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, that found eight patterns of mutations that occurred more frequently in one sex. Dr. Boutros is also a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA.

New Pharmacologic Agent for Prostate Cancer

Feb 07, 2019
Dr. Jeremie Calais -- A conversation with Dr. Jeremie Calais, assistant professor of UCLA's Molecular and Medical Pharmacology department and IUO researcher, during the Prostate Cancer Foundation's 25th Annual Scientific Retreat regarding the "Effectiveness and Resistance to PSMA targeted RadioLigand Therapy using 177 Lu-PSMA-617." Video on urotoday.com >

UCLA's Dennis Slamon Awarded Sjöberg Prize for Pioneering Cancer Research

Feb 05, 2019
Dr. Dennis Slamon -- Dr. Slamon, director of the Revlon/ UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program, has been named a co-winner of the 2019 Sjöberg Prize by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Sweden's Sjöberg Foundation. Honored for his groundbreaking research that led to the development of successful targeted cancer therapies, Slamon shares the award with Dr. Brian Druker of Oregon Health & Science University.  UCLA Newsroom >

Molecular Hallmarks of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Visibility in Prostate Cancer

Jan 24, 2019
Drs. Raman, Reiter & Boutros -- A long-standing collaboration of UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology investigators from urology, radiology and pathology, and Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, has resulted in an important publication in the journal European Urology looking at the molecular profiles of prostate cancers and their relationship to features seen by mpMRI. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has transformed the management of localized prostate cancer by improving identification of clinically significant disease at diagnosis. 

The Role of Oxygen Deficiency in Cancer Treatment

Jan 14, 2019
Dr. Paul Boutros -- eCancer, News-Medical.net and HealthCanal.com reported on research led by Paul Boutros, a professor of urology and human genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of cancer data science at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The researchers found common markers of tumor hypoxia across 19 cancer types that can help inform treatment decisions.

Which Approach is Best for Biopsy Gleason Score 9–10 Prostate Cancer?

Dec 11, 2018
Dr. Amar Kishan, assistant professor of radiation oncology and member of UCLA's Institute of Urologic Oncology and UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, was quoted in a Cancer Network article about the best approaches for treating people with advanced prostate cancers.

Radiation Oncologist Honored with Award

Nov 25, 2018
The ASCO Post reported that Dr. Amar Kishan, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, was recognized by the Radiation Oncology Institute for his study highlighting the value of radiation therapy in the treatment of aggressive prostate cancer.

More Coverage of Study Showing Less Radiation Still Effective for Prostate Cancer

Oct 26, 2018
HealthDay News, Doctors Lounge, Drugs.com, Renal and Urology News and MPR reported on a new study that found stereotactic body radiation therapy is a safe and effective treatment for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Dr. Amar Kishan, assistant professor of radiation oncology and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented the research at the annual American Society of Radiation Oncology meeting.

Men with Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Can Safely Benefit from Fewer, Higher-Dose Radiation Treatments

Oct 22, 2018
Amar U. Kishan, MD, UCLA IUO researcher and radiation oncologist, was the lead author on recent study findings that were presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). According to a long-term, multi-institutional study, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a safe and effective treatment for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. 

UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology Study Referenced

Oct 19, 2018
Futurity.org, in a story about the use of artificial intelligence in cancer treatment, referenced a study conducted at the UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology about metastatic prostate cancer.

Dr. Amar Kishan Honored by The Radiation Oncology Institute

Oct 15, 2018
Dr. Amar Kishan -- Amar U. Kishan, MD, UCLA IUO researcher and radiation oncologist, has been selected by The Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI) to receive the 2018 Publication Award in recognition of the outstanding research published in the manuscript, “Radical Prostatectomy, External Beam Radiotherapy, or External Beam Radiotherapy With Brachytherapy Boost and Disease Progression and Mortality in Patients With Gleason Score 9-10 Prostate Cancer.”