Dutasteride was associated with a significant reduction in prostate cancer volume on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging compared to placebo.

BACKGROUNDSemaphorins act as chemotactic cues for cell movement via their transmembrane receptors, plexins. Somatic missense mutations in the plexinB1 gene coupled with overexpression of the protein frequently occur in prostate tumors, indicating a role for plexinB1 in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. However, the effect of semaphorin/plexin signaling is highly context dependent and whether plexinB1 acts as an inducer or inhibitor of prostate tumor progression in this context is not known.METHODSThe response of prostate cancer cell lines to plexinB1 activation was assessed in migration, invasion, proliferation and protein phosphorylation assays. Expression was assessed by quantitative RTPCR and immunoblotting.RESULTSDifferent prostate cancer cell lines respond to Sema4D (the ligand for plexinB1) in diverse ways. Activation of endogenous plexinB1 enhances migration, invasion and anchorage-independent growth of LNCaP prostate cancer cells via activation of ErbB2 and Akt. In contrast, Sema4D-stimulation decreased the motility and proliferative capacity of PC3 cells. LNCaP has a missense mutation (Thr1697Ala) in the plexinB1 gene while LNCaP-LN3, a derivative of LNCaP, expresses high levels of wild-type plexinB1 only. Sema4D stimulation increases the motility and anchorage independent growth of both cell lines, showing that these responses are not dependent on the presence of the Thr1697Ala form of plexinB1. ErbB2 and plexinB1 are expressed in primary prostate epithelial cells.CONCLUSIONSPlexinB1 signals via ErbB2 to increase the invasive phenotype of prostate cancer cells. Both wild-type and mutant forms of plexinB1 are potential targets for anti-cancer therapy in prostate tumors that express ErbB2. Prostate 73:1326–1335, 2013. © 2013 The Authors. The Prostate published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

No abstract

Introduction: Group and save (G&S) sampling is commonplace for patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) due to the historically high risk of bleeding. However, modern adjustments to the procedure, including the advent of bipolar TURP in saline, have significantly reduced this risk. This study assessed whether routinely performing G&Ss before the modern TURP is still appropriate. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective review of all patients who underwent a TURP from January 2009 until December 2019 in one centre. A total of 687 patients were identified during this period. In addition, data was collected on G&S samples, blood products, and postoperative complications such as clot retention or if patients required a blood transfusion. Results: All patients had G&S samples taken before their operation. Only six (0.87%) patients required a blood transfusion. Half were transfused intra-operatively and half post-operatively. Remarkably, none of the transfused patients were below the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) threshold to transfuse of <70g/L(8). Six patients were also noted to develop clot retention following the catheter removal. Discussion and Conclusion: This study has determined that patients undergoing a TURP rarely require blood transfusions. We propose that the practice of routinely taking G&S samples before this procedure should be reviewed. This would give a financial benefit and relieve patients of the unnecessary test. We would recommend thorough optimisation of patients before surgery, including review of anticoagulation and correction of any preoperative anaemia.