Combined Androgen Blockade

Abstract

Combined androgen blockade (CAB), the addition of an antiandrogen to castration (medical or surgical), is becoming a well-established option for advanced prostate cancer. CAB with leuprolide and flutamide was found to improve both progression-free and overall survival, compared with leuprolide alone, particularly in patients with minimal metastatic disease. These findings have led to an intergroup study in more than 1,300 men, including 300 with minimal disease, of orchidectomy with flutamide versus orchidectomy with placebo, which will examine which patient subgroups benefit most from CAB. This intergroup study has already provided important information regarding prostate-specific antigen as a surrogate marker for response and progression. The success with CAB in lengthening survival and improving quality of life in metastatic prostate cancer has stimulated enthusiasm for broadening the base of clinical studies for the management of this disease.

Molecular Imaging with SERS‐Active Nanoparticles

“…A blood test to measure PSA is considered the most effective test currently available for the early detection of prostate cancer, and rising levels of PSA over time are associated with both localized and metastatic prostate cancer. [ 62,63 ] In 2006, the fi rst example of SERS microscopy for selective localization of a target protein in tissue specimens with SERS nanoparticlelabeled antibodies was reported, where PSA was used as the tumor marker. [ 64 ] Immuno-Raman microspectroscopy, which combines the high specifi city of antigen-antibody interactions with the high sensitivity of SERS, was successfully demonstrated as a novel methodology for immunohistochemistry.…”