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Biomedical subjects

H Matzkin

Publications and source records attributed to H Matzkin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Prognostic significance of changes in prostate-specific markers after endocrine treatment of stage D2 prostatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value was determined of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) measured before and after endocrine treatment in 57 patients with newly diagnosed Stage D2 prostatic cancer. METHODS: Therapy included orchiectomy or administration of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogues or an antiandrogen. RESULTS: The absolute pretreatment PSA (elevated in 100% of patients) but not PAP (abnormal in 93%) predicted disease progression (P < 0.0011), i.e., a poor response to therapy. Fifty-three patients responded to androgen deprivation with a decrease in PSA level. This declined to normal at 3 and 6 months in 25% of patients. Forty-nine percent had a greater than 90% decrease in their PSA level. By 1 year, 58% of patients had progressive disease. Both the nadir PSA level and the percent decline from the pretreatment level at 3 and 6 months predicted the progression-free interval (P < 0.001). Patients with a 90% or greater decline in PSA had a prolonged progression-free survival. Serial PAP levels were similarly prognostic. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that PSA was better than PAP in evaluating patients before and after androgen-deprivation therapy. The nadir level of both markers was an important tool to predict progression-free survival in patients with metastatic prostatic cancer.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Immunohistochemical evidence of the existence and localization of aromatase in human prostatic tissues.

Estrogens may be involved in normal growth of the prostate and the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The location of estrogen production is still unclear, and there has never been a direct evidence for the existence of the aromatase system, which converts androgens to estrogens, in the prostate. Using an avidin-biotin technique with a polyclonal anti-human placental aromatase, we demonstrated the existence of aromatase in normal prostates of young men and BPH tissue from elderly men. The staining is more pronounced in the stroma. However, positive stains were also seen in the glandular epithelium. While evidence of the existence of an enzyme system does not equal demonstration of its activity in a specific tissue site, our findings suggest that local estrogen production in the stroma and/or epithelium of the prostate may play a role in the maintenance of normal growth and development of BPH.

Adult↗

Experience with weekly doxorubicin (adriamycin) in hormone-refractory stage D2 prostate cancer.

One hundred eleven patients with endocrine-refractory Stage D prostate cancer were treated with weekly administration of 20 mg/m2 body surface area of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin). Fifty-seven were part of a randomized study comparing doxorubicin and prednisone to prednisone alone. There were significantly more subjective responders in the doxorubicin group than in the prednisone group (p less than 0.01). The number of patients with evidence of stable disease was also higher during the chemotherapy arm compared with prednisone alone (p = 0.02). Patients taking doxorubicin had a slightly longer period of stable disease than did those taking prednisone (p = 0.08). Overall survival, however, was not prolonged (p = 0.26). Fifty-four patients took part in an open trial and 69 percent responded to treatment. All of these had clinical improvement. Side effects were minimal with cardiotoxicity noted in less than 15 percent among patients with side effects. Over 35 percent had no side effects. Thus single agent, weekly doxorubicin therapy as evaluated in our experience, while well tolerated and of subjective benefit, does not provide the patient with a significant longer progression-free survival or improved overall survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Value of urine cytology versus bladder washing in bladder cancer.

A prospective study compared the diagnostic outcome of paired urine cytology and bladder washings in 26 patients as well as the diagnostic accuracy of cytologic reading of voided urine in 43 patients, all with documented bladder cancer. We demonstrate the superiority of bladder washing over voided urine cytology and recommend its routine use in spite of the additional cost and patient discomfort.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Transdermal scopolamine in prevention of post open prostatectomy bladder contractions.

In a prospective randomized double-blind study among 50 males undergoing surgery we evaluated the possible role of transdermally applied scopolamine (Scopoderm) in the prevention of post open prostatectomy bladder contraction and pain. Patients were evaluated by subjective report of their pain, urination sensation while having indwelling catheter, amount of narcotic administration, and bladder pressure measurements. No significant differences were noted with regard to the occurrence of pain or overall analgesia requirements. However, on postoperative day 2, a significant decrease in analgesia requirements was found among the treated patients. We suggest that the use of Scopoderm may lead to a reduced demand for narcotics by patients from postoperative day 2 onward.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Response to second-line hormonal manipulation monitored by serum PSA in stage D2 prostate carcinoma.

Changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have been demonstrated to accurately assess response to initial hormone deprivation in metastatic prostate cancer patients. The role of PSA in monitoring response to second-line hormonal treatment has not been documented. In a group of 20 patients with an initial response to androgen deprivation and subsequent relapse, we monitored PSA levels before and after second-line therapy. Ten patients had a clinical response. Four had a more than 90 percent decrease in serum PSA compared with the level at initial progression. This clinical response was maintained for a mean of eighteen months. Six patients had a PSA decrease less than 90 percent; their clinical response was of a mean 5.5 months. Ten patients had no change or increase in PSA. Seven had no clinical response, and 3 responded for an average of four months. Although production of PSA might be under endocrine control, changes in PSA are useful for monitoring response to second-line hormonal therapy.

Androgen Antagonists↗

In vitro study of the effect of hyperthermia on normal bladder cell line and on five different transitional cell carcinoma cell lines.

Intraluminal hyperthermia is potentially useful in the management of superficial bladder cancer. The potential inhibitory effect of hyperthermia on various human bladder cancer cell lines, normal human bladder cells and the murine MBT-2 bladder cancer cell line has been studied in vitro. These cell lines were exposed for one hour to 43 +/- 0.5C and compared to controls. Cell survival was assessed comparing the cell growth curve and colony formation. The human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines vary in their sensitivity to heat. MGH-U1 was the most heat sensitive cell line. The human A-1698, CUB-2, UM-UC-3 and the murine MBT-2 lines were heat insensitive. We conclude that the cytocidal effect of hyperthermia in bladder transitional cell carcinoma is variable. Further experiments using the combination of hyperthermia and intravesical anticancer agents are in progress.

Animals↗

Prolonged treatment with finasteride (a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor) does not affect bone density and metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Since it is not clear whether testosterone or dihydrotestosterone is the active hormone in bone metabolism, we wished to assess the effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, or vertebral bone mineral density and parameters of bone and mineral metabolism. DESIGN: Patients were treated in a randomized, double-blind controlled study with either placebo, 1 or 5 mg/day finasteride. PATIENTS: Twenty-three men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were included in this study; eight received placebo, seven were allocated to treatment with 1 mg/day, and eight to 5 mg/day finasteride for 12 months. MEASUREMENTS: Vertebral bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine by dual energy X-ray bone densitometry. Serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and vitamin D metabolites were measured regularly. Urinary calcium and creatinine excretion were monitored as well. RESULTS: Finasteride caused a significant decrease in serum dihydrotestosterone after 6 and 12 months, but no effect on serum testosterone. Vertebral bone mineral density remained unaltered. None of the other parameters monitored were affected except for a small unexplained increase in 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the group receiving 5 mg finasteride/day. CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone is probably the active hormone in bone metabolism. However, oestradiol, the product of testosterone aromatization (which remains unaltered under finasteride) may yet be another possible responsible steroid in the maintenance of bone density. We can also not rule out that the small amount of dihydrotestosterone remaining under finasteride administration is sufficient for maintaining normal bone metabolism.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Efficacy of terazosin in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Terazosin, a selective, long-acting alpha 1-adrenergic blocker, was evaluated in 44 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The dose was titrated from 2 to 20 mg nightly depending on improvement in symptoms and flow rate. All men completed at least 3 months of therapy, 26 had 6 months and 19 received 9-12 months of terazosin. There was an average increase of 2 ml/s in the peak urinary flow rate compared to baseline. This was statistically significant at the 3-month level. Residual urine decreased under treatment at each 3-month time interval. Prior to initiation of terazosin the mean was 165 ml, and it was 62, 100, and 41 ml at 3, 6 and 9 months respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement in both the obstructive and irritative symptom scores. Side effects were minimal; only 1 patient discontinued terazosin due to a hypotensive episode. Terazosin was found to be safe and effective in the dose range of 2-20 mg taken at bedtime in men with symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The present study did not identify any baseline parameters such as initial prostate volume, peak flow rates, or obstructive or irritative symptom scores that correlated with clinical outcome.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Laboratory monitoring of androgenic activity in benign prostate hypertrophy treated with a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor.

Testosterone and androstenedione are metabolized by 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductases to androsterone (A) and etiocholanolone (E), respectively. These are excreted in the urine as conjugates, and the A/E ratio in normal men is usually greater than or equal to 1.5 (as opposed to 1 in women) because of the high 5 alpha-reductase activity in the prostate. The A/E ratio can be determined simply by gas chromatography after acid hydrolysis of a urine sample, extraction of steroids, and formation of trimethylsilyl derivatives. A timed collection of urine is unnecessary because the ratio of A/E is used rather than absolute values. In men suffering from benign prostate hypertrophy who are treated with Finasteride (a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor), the A/E ratio decreases to less than 0.5. The A/E ratio decrease can be detected long before there is clinical improvement.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Endocrine treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: current concepts.

To summarize the endocrine approach for the treatment of BPH: much clinical data have accumulated over the past forty years. Until recently, scientists and physicians mainly concentrated on the reduction of androgens as a possible solution. We have come a long way from surgical castration, through the administration of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to the inhibition of an enzymatic reaction reducing testosterone to DHT--the now recognized active intracellular androgen metabolite. Recently, the role of estrogens has been emphasized with the finding that stromal hyperplasia is the main change occurring in BPH. Lately, research has been initiated to examine the clinical effect aromatase inhibitors would have in the treatment of human BPH. Since there is enough evidence that both the epithelial and stromal components of the human prostate undergo hyperplasia in BPH, and individuals vary with respect to their relative epithelial/stromal components, both structures would have to be reduced for therapy to be successful. Therefore, the combination of an antiandrogenic and antiestrogenic effect is theoretically promising. Indeed, prostates of beagles shrunken after treatment with an aromatase inhibitor, further decreased in weight after additional treatment with cyproterone acetate, an antiandrogen. We are now approaching the stage where these "antihormones" are both enzyme inhibitors with actually no side effects that preclude the use of the earlier generation's "antihormonal" hormonal drugs. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that the aromatase inhibitor, 4-hydroxy-androstenedione also inhibits human prostatic 5-alpha reductase, at least in vitro. The in vivo relevance of this finding awaits further classification. Thus, a good hormonal treatment that will be both scientifically sound, and clinically safe and effective, seems feasible in the near future. Two main factors have encouraged our interest and research into methods of inhibiting prostatic growth or reducing its obstructive symptomatology: the enormous cost of prostatic operations for outlet obstruction secondary to BPH, and the natural aging process of the population accompanied by deteriorated health precluding anesthesia and prostatic surgery. Medical treatment of BPH has to result in symptomatic improvement, elimination of residual urine, and improvement of flow to be considered successful. These are usually accomplished by surgery and results at least as good as those obtained by operation should be aimed at, if medical treatment is to replace surgery. Although indications for surgery and outcome of operations are well-defined, this is not the case when alternatives to prostatectomy are chosen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

Treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy by a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue: 1-year experience.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy, a common ailment among elderly men, usually is treated by surgery. Since androgens enhance prostatic hypertrophy, their withdrawal seems a logical way to treat this condition. Recently gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, known to produce "chemical castration," have been tried in cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy. We report our experience with 20 men treated by a monthly injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone for prolonged periods. In 17 men treated for 6 months the prostatic volume decreased to an average of 63% of the initial volume; however, this did not correlate with clinical objective improvement. Only 6 men attained normal flow rates. Residual urine volume remained unaltered. Ten patients experienced subjective amelioration, while only 7 (40%) reported objective and subjective improvement. Maximal decrease in prostatic volumes was reached at 9 months of treatment and further treatment did not cause additional shrinkage. At 3 months after discontinuation of treatment prostatic volumes returned to 95 +/- 10.5% of pre-treatment values. A similar decrease in flow rates also was noted. Symptoms remained improved for longer periods. We conclude that this mode of treatment offers little to the majority of men with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Proper patient selection, based perhaps on serum prostate specific antigen, might augment positive results. This therapy should be restricted to patients considered high risk for any surgical and anesthetic intervention, and then it will have to be continued indefinitely.

Aged↗

Serum bioactive and immunoreactive follicle stimulating hormone during chronic treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist in elderly men.

Chronic administration of GnRH agonists "down regulates" the pituitary and decreases LH and FSH serum levels. Changes in the bioactivity of FSH have not been adequately assessed under such treatment, for lack of a proper test. We examined serum changes under GnRH agonist treatment among 12 healthy elderly men suffering only from benign prostatic hypertrophy, for up to one year, using a modification of a granulosa cell bioassay for the determination of FSH bioactivity. While radioimmunoassay-FSH decreased, we noticed a significant increase in the bioactivity of this hormone. The clinical importance of this increase is discussed.

Aged↗

Does age influence the bioactivity of follicle-stimulating hormone in men?

We measured follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by both standard radio-immunoassay (RIA) and bioassay (Bio) methods in 56 men, using a modification of a previously described in vitro granulosa cell bioassay for the determination of the bioactivity of FSH. Thirty-four were young (mean age 25 years), and 22 elderly (mean age 72). No interfering factors such as disease or alcoholism could be identified. The elderly men had higher RIA-FSH levels compared with the younger ones. Bio-FSH demonstrated a similar trend and therefore the Bio/Immuno ratio was practically constant (3.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.4). We conclude that the age-associated decline in testicular function seen in normal ageing cannot be attributed to a chronic change in FSH activity. Not only is the RIA-FSH elevated among the elderly, it is of the same biological quality as in the younger men. The underlying cause for the testicular function decline is probably at the level of the testis itself.

Adult↗

Clinical importance of prostatic measurements in follow-up of GnRH analogue-treated prostatic carcinoma patients.

Thirteen patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with buserelin-a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue. Follow-up period extended to thirty-six months during which 8 patients were considered either responsive or stabilizing, in terms of pain relief and clinical tumor regression, and 5 were categorized as suffering from progressive disease. Urinary symptoms were ameliorated in the majority of cases (11/12). Prostatic size was measured by rectal ultrasound, an accepted accurate new modality. In 12 patients a decrease in size was demonstrated, and only in 1 progressive case the prostate grew larger on a six-month follow-up. Thus prostatic size and clinical responsiveness are not correlated. The clinical value of recording urinary symptomatology and measuring prostatic size in prostatic carcinoma patients is discussed with regard to the latest communications that GnRH analogues acting by decreasing testosterone levels, can cause amelioration in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) cases, too. It is suggested that prostatic size has little clinical value concerning tumor responsiveness in the follow-up of patients with prostatic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗