Neuroendocrine (NE) cells in prostate cancer have been shown to be associated with the progression of prostate cancer. However, little is known about the molecular basis of this association. We have previously demonstrated that NE cells promote metastasis of a human prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) with overexpression of the gelsolin gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions between NE cells and LNCaP cells and the involvement of gelsolin in contributing to the invasive potential of LNCaP cells. In addition, we examined whether neurotensin induced gelsolin-mediated invasion. We used the NE cell line NE-CS that was established from the prostate of the LPB-Tag 12T-10 transgenic mouse. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting gelsolin or not targeting it was transfected into LNCaP cells.

To determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy using a self-check sheet is effective in improving night-time frequency of patients with nocturia. Methods: We carried out a multicenter, open-labeled, randomized controlled trial in eight institutions. Patients having two or more episodes of nocturia were randomly assigned to either cognitive behavioral therapy with completion of frequency volume charts regularly (cognitive behavioral therapy group) or frequency volume charts regularly alone (frequency volume charts group). The cognitive behavioral therapy checklist was composed of eight items: wake up time/bedtime, mealtime, napping, alcohol/caffeine intake, water intake, salt intake, exercise and taking a bath. A physician explained cognitive behavioral therapy within 5 min using a brief manual. The patients in the cognitive behavioral therapy group filled out the self-check sheet every day. The primary end-point was the difference in night-time frequency based on the International Prostate Symptom Score Q7 at 4 weeks. Results: Of the 100 first-visit patients randomly allocated, 37 in the cognitive behavioral therapy group and 41 in the frequency volume charts group completed the protocol. No difference was observed in the mean AE standard deviation of night-time frequency at 4 weeks between the cognitive behavioral therapy group (2.6 AE 1.0) and the frequency volume charts group (3.1 AE 1.2; P = 0.056). However, when six patients with achievement of cognitive behavioral therapy of <50% were excluded from the analysis, night-time frequency at 4 weeks was significantly lower in the cognitive behavioral therapy group (2.5 AE 1.0) than in the frequency volume charts group (3.1 AE 1.2; P = 0.027). Conclusions: The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy using a self-check sheet for nocturia remains to be shown. However, strictly practicing cognitive behavioral therapy might be beneficial to these patients.

Overall, our results show that intravesical BCG instillation for variant histology in NMIBC leads to a better prognosis with regard to progression and cause-specific survival than other intravesical treatments or no additional treatment. BCG treatment may also have a clinical benefit for variant histology in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients.

Objectives. To evaluate the distribution of neuroendocrine (NE) cells which may influence the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the transition zone (TZ). Methods. We reviewed specimens from 80 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in our institution and evaluated the density of NE cells in the TZ. They were histologically classified into 3 groups: those with no adenomatous nodule in the TZ (group A), those with small nodules with normal epithelium and stroma around them in the TZ (group B), and those with large nodules occupying the TZ (group C). In the patients of group B, intra-adenoma (adenomatous nodules) and extra-adenoma (normal tissue) NE cells in the TZ were separately counted. Results. There were 22, 23, and 35 patients in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The median density of NE cells in the TZ of group B patients, 2.80/mm2, was significantly higher than that of NE cells in group A, 1.43/mm2, and group C, 0.61/mm2 (p < 0.001). In group B, the median density of extra-adenoma NE cells was significantly higher than that of intra-adenoma. Conclusions. Many NE cells exist around small adenoma in the TZ. NE cells may influence the initial growth of BPH in a paracrine fashion. Trial Registration. This study approved by our institutional review board was retrospectively registered (#272-14).

Objectives To clarify Japanese real‐world clinical data on the use of desmopressin 25 and 50 μg orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) for male patients with nocturia and evaluate the predictive factors to improve nighttime frequency. Methods We retrospectively accumulated real‐world clinical data from 27 institutions in Japan. Male patients with two or more episodes of nocturia who received desmopressin ODT for nocturnal polyuria (NP) from 2019 through 2021 were included. The primary endpoint was the change of nighttime frequency until 3 months after desmopressin administration. The secondary endpoints were to clarify the persistence rate, adverse events, and predictive factors of decreasing nighttime frequency. Results A total of 118 patients were eligible to participate in this study. The persistence rate of desmopressin on the Kaplan‐Meier curve at week 12 was 51.3. The reason for discontinuation was mainly the occurrence of adverse events in 67 patients (56.8%), particularly hyponatremia in 7 patients (5.9%). Nighttime frequencies at baseline, ‐ 1 month and 1 ‐ 3 months after desmopressin administration were 4.1 ± 1.3, 2.9 ± 1.4 (P < .01), and 2.6 ± 1.3 (P < .01), respectively. The mean nighttime urine volume voided at baseline was significantly larger in patients whose nighttime frequency decreased by two or more times than in those with a decrease of less than two times. Conclusions Desmopressin 25 and 50 μg ODT treatments are feasible for male patients with NP in Japanese real‐world clinical practice. Patients with higher voided volumes, particularly in the nighttime, may have great benefit from desmopressin.