DEPARTMENT of UROLOGY UPDATE
New Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Expanded Choices Provide Relief for a Common Condition
FALL 2008 Vol.19 | No.2 The symptoms of an enlarged prostate include a weak stream, trouble starting and gland, called benign prostatic hyper- stopping, the frequent feeling of needing to Clinical Update p. 4 plasia (BPH), are familiar to a substantial urinate, and the sense that the bladder isn’t Kidney Cancer Vaccine p. 5 proportion of men older than 50. empty after urination. About half of men in their 50s and 80-90 percent Erectile Dysfunction Research p. 5 “To some degree, BPH affects all men as they of those older than 80 have enlarged prostates, age,” says Allan Pantuck, MD, MS, associate Clinical Trials p. 6 caused by changes in hormone balance and cell professor and physician in the UCLA Integrative growth. As their prostate begins to squeeze or Profile: Oscar Rivera, LVN p. 8 Urology Program, which combines the best partially block the surrounding urethra — the of preventative approaches, medical counseling, Kudos p. 9 tube that carries the urine from the bladder out nutritional science, and complementary medical of the body — many of these men experience Donor Notes p. 9 approaches for patients interested in the bothersome urinary symptoms, which can prevention and treatment of urologic conditions. Profile: Arthur Schapiro p. 9 “The prostate forms a channel that the urine passes through as it comes out of the bladder. As the prostate enlarges, there is increased resistance to the bladder’s ability to empty. This tends to also lead to changes in the bladder, including a decreased ability to hold urine.” BPH can wreak havoc with quality of life — in addition to the discomfort, some men are forced to get up several times during the night. Pictured above: Dr. Christopher Saigal (left), Dr. Allan Pantuck (middle), and Dr. Robert Reiter (right) continued on page 2 Frank Clark Urology Center Cover Story And although BPH has nothing to do with hospitalization and catheterization for 48 hours cancer (as the “benign” in its title suggests), in the or more and it comes with risks associated most severe cases it can lead to urinary tract with anesthesia; bleeding during and after the infections, stones in the bladder or kidney, operation; and in rare cases, fluid absorption urinary retention or kidney damage. For reasons that can be life-threatening. An alternative of quality of life as well as for the potential of such has emerged in laser surgery. Like TURP, the complications, Dr. Pantuck notes, bothersome so-called GreenLight Laser Therapy offered at symptoms should not be ignored. UCLA aims to create a channel through the urethra through which men can urinate more freely — but the surgery is considerably less A Growing Number of Treatment Options invasive. Instead of cutting tissue out, the The case for seeking treatment has become even newer technique creates the channel by stronger in recent years. For those who need vaporizing the tissue using laser energy.
surgery, lower-risk, less invasive alternatives Thus far, almost every study has shown that to transurethral resection of the prostate when done by experienced urologists, the laser (TURP), the traditional surgical approach, are surgery produces results that are equal to those now offered. And for patients with moderate with TURP, but without the severe side effects symptoms who are looking for more “natural’ and risks. “This is an outpatient procedure alternatives to BPH medications — either with minimal to no bleeding, no risk of fluid because the drugs’ side effects are intolerable absorption, and catheterization only overnight, or because they simply don’t like the idea of if at all,” says Robert Reiter, MD, MBA, being on medication — options such as herbal professor of urology, who was the first to perform treatments have become more widespread. the procedure at UCLA more than six years ago.
TURP surgery, in which the obstructing portion An even less invasive option, thermotherapy of the enlarged prostate tissue is removed, delivers microwave energy through a catheter is an effective procedure. But it does require inserted into the bladder in an effort to shrink
WWW.UCLAUROLOGY.COM UROLOGY APPOINTMENT LINE: (310) 794-7700 the inside of the prostate. The office-based as a result, the evidence on their efficacy is less Beta-sitosterol. Many different preparations of outpatient procedure takes an hour or less certain, and the contents of each product can this plant-based medicine have been used, with and requires only mild sedation, explains Dr. vary widely. the most common employing the extract of Pantuck, who performs both the GreenLight South African star grass. Several studies have Laser surgeries and the thermotherapy surgery. Some physicians have shied away from shown an improvement in urinary symptoms, The downside to the thermotherapy is that it recommending them, but at the UCLA but the evidence is still scant. takes 6-8 weeks for the impact of the treatment Integrative Urology Program, Drs. Saigal and to be realized, and although the risks are Pantuck take a different approach. “We meet “None of these is likely to be as effective as relatively minimal, the results are not comparable with patients, review their goals and will the FDA-approved drugs,” says Dr. Pantuck. to those of TURP or laser surgery. “There are pros discuss complementary strategies that can help “But for some men with mild symptoms, the and cons to all of the treatments; it’s a matter of them,” Dr. Saigal explains. “We will direct them improvement that they find with the alternative determining what’s appropriate for the individual toward natural products that are supported by approaches is sufficient so that they don’t need patient,” Dr. Pantuck says. some evidence, and help them find appropriate a stronger medicine, at least for that particular time in their life.”
With all of these newer therapies added to “Too many men assume that BPH is just part of getting older, what was already an effective arsenal of BPH and they let the problem slowly creep up on them without treatments, Dr. Saigal notes, men should never be content to simply live with the discomfort. doing anything about it.” – Dr. Christopher Saigal “Too many men assume that BPH is just part of getting older, and they let the problem slowly creep up on them without doing anything about The Pros and Cons of suppliers. These products can also work in it,” he says. “It’s important for them to realize Alternative Medications concert with pharmaceuticals for people who that we now have many effective options that can Overall, the medications that are available to are interested in both approaches.” eliminate or significantly reduce their symptoms.” treat BPH can be very effective. These include The most common herbal medicines for For more information on the UCLA Integrative drugs that take aim at BPH symptoms — BPH include: Urology Program or to make an appointment, see so-called alpha blockers that relax the www.uclaurology.com/integrativeurology.htm or call bladder muscle to help improve urine flow; Saw palmetto. Derived from the berry of (310) 395-4542. and those that attack the problem directly by the plant Serenoa repens, saw palmetto has shrinking the prostate and slowing its rate of been extensively studied — including a recent growth, known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors randomized placebo-control clinical trial in (finasteride, or Proscar; and dutasteride, or Shanghai, China on which Dr. Pantuck was Avodart). While some patients experience an author — and has been shown to decrease side effects, they tend to be mild, ranging from symptoms and improve urinary flow rates, dizziness and decreases in blood pressure to although some studies have failed to show decreased libido and occasional problems with a benefit. The therapy is currently being erection or ejaculation. investigated in a Phase II trial sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “These drugs improve symptoms in most people and are safe,” says Christopher Saigal, Pygeum africanum. Another commonly used MD, MPH, associate professor and UCLA herbal therapy, pygeum africanum is an extract Integrative Urology Program physician. from an African plum tree. In randomized “Although there are known side effects, they trials it has been shown to provide moderate occur right away, and are reversible once the improvement of urinary symptoms compared person stops taking the drug.” to a placebo, but most of the studies have been short — only a few months — and a year’s worth Still, Dr. Saigal notes, herbal supplements for of data is typically required to demonstrate that BPH are gaining in popularity — an estimated an agent is effective, Dr. Saigal notes. one-third of men with the condition have tried them. When used appropriately, herbal Stinging nettle. This plant-based therapy medicines tend to have few side effects. In has proved popular in Europe (where herbal Europe, they are a frontline therapy for BPH. therapies are widely prescribed as front-line However, Dr. Saigal points out, in the United treatment for BPH), and small studies have States supplements do not undergo the same shown symptom improvements. rigorous testing and regulation as medications;
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Phase III Trial Launched for Prostate Cancer Drug
An experimental drug that has shown dramatic system, which is faster than the first and able to results in patients with chemotherapy-resistant provide high-definition images, will allow the advanced prostate cancer has moved to a Phase department to at least double its volume of III clinical trial at UCLA. robotic surgeries. Robotic prostatectomies offer the advantages of short hospital stays and Abiraterone, manufactured by Cougar recovery times and less blood loss and Biotechnology, takes advantage of basic scarring. UCLA has also successfully integrated research, much of which occurred in UCLA the use of pre-operative magnetic resonance Department of Urology laboratories, on the imaging to improve outcomes. role of the testosterone pathway in end-stage prostate cancer. In earlier-phase studies, the New ORs Point Toward the Future experimental drug more than doubled survival With the move earlier this year into the new in up to three-fourths of men with the deadliest Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, faculty form of the disease: cancer that no longer in the Department of Urology are using responds to hormone-deprivation therapy. operating rooms geared toward the future Hormone-deprivation therapy — which aims of surgery. to block testosterone from being produced by Designed in consultation with industry the testes or adrenal gland — can be effective partners by a team of surgeons that included for a period of time in treating advanced prostate Peter Schulam, MD, PhD, associate professor cancer. But nearly all patients eventually of urology and chief of the Division of experience a recurrence, explains Robert Reiter, Endourology and Minimally Invasive Surgery, MD, MBA, professor of urology and director of the 24 operating rooms in the new hospital An experimental drug that has shown the UCLA Prostate Cancer Program. “We have give the surgeon greater control of his or her dramatic results in patients with learned that one of the central reasons for the environment — both inside and outside the OR chemotherapy-resistant advanced recurrence is that the tumors themselves are — than ever before. With the touch of a screen prostate cancer has moved to a able to produce enough testosterone from or a voice command, for example, the surgeon Phase III clinical trial at UCLA. cholesterol and other precursors to grow,” has the ability to control the lights and sound Dr. Reiter explains. The new drug blocks an and to access patient records or pull up X-rays. enzyme that is critical to the production of testosterone from cholesterol.
The multicenter Phase III trial, headed at UCLA by Matthew Rettig, MD, is enrolling Robotic prostatectomies offer chemotherapy-resistant prostate cancer patients. the advantages of short New Robotic Surgical System hospital stays and recovery UCLA has acquired a second robotic surgical times and less blood loss system, the da Vinci S, which will enable the Department of Urology to expand the number and scarring. and scope of its robotic procedures. The new
WWW.UCLAUROLOGY.COM UROLOGY APPOINTMENT LINE: (310) 794-7700 Kidney Cancer Vaccine Showcased by NCI The new kidney cancer vaccine developed in the laboratory of Arie Belldegrun, MD, UCLA professor of urology and surgical director of the UCLA Kidney Cancer Dr. Jacob Rajfer Dr. Nestor Gonzalez-Cadavid Program, has earned Dr. Arie Belldegrun the distinction of being showcased at the annual National Cancer Institute Translational Science Researchers Continue Pioneering Work Meeting, to be held in November in Washington, DC. in Erectile Dysfunction Dr. Belldegrun and co-discoverer Allan Pantuck, MD, MS, associate professor of urology and the UCLA Kidney Cancer Program’s director of translational In 1988 Dr. Jacob Rajfer advanced the notion penis as men age and subsequently develop research, will present on GM-CA9, a vaccine for kidney that nitric oxide was the chemical released in erectile dysfunction also seemed to occur cancer that is being manufactured by the NCI’s the penis to produce an erection, and he within the arterial blood vessels throughout Rapid Access to Intervention Development program and his UCLA colleague, Dr. Louis Ignarro, the body. As a result, they proposed that these in preparation for a clinical trial. The vaccine, the demonstrated that this was the case in both aging-related changes within the vascular system culmination of research that began a decade ago animals and humans. The discovery laid the were the cause of essential hypertension, also in Dr. Belldegrun’s laboratory, is a fusion of two groundwork for the first oral drug for impotence, known as arteriosclerosis, the major cause of proteins: CA9, a tumor antigen expressed in the Viagra, and made UCLA one of the top basic high blood pressure in men. This observation majority of kidney cancers; and GM-CSF, which science research centers in the field of erectile led the team to suggest that what ails the penis stimulates the immune system. The strategy is not dysfunction. Twenty years later, Dr. Rajfer and very commonly afflicts the vascular system. unlike that involved in vaccines for diseases such as another member of the faculty of the Department Today, many experts are suggesting that men tuberculosis or polio: to promote the body’s ability of Urology, Dr. Nestor Gonzalez-Cadavid, are with erectile dysfunction should consider having to have an immune response against the protein continuing to unravel the processes by which their cardiovascular system evaluated for silent common in kidney tumors. men become impotent — whether it is from cardiovascular disease. “Many of the things that diabetes, following radical prostate surgery, or we have identified over the years that occur from the most common cause of impotence, in the penis are now being looked at by Correction simply the aging process. Their goal is to cardiologists,” Dr. Rajfer notes. The following chart illustrates the individual costs ultimately be able to prevent or reverse all forms associated with a variety of urological diagnoses. of erectile dysfunction by using some form of Degeneration of Nerves a Key In our previous issue, in the article “UDA Emerges medical therapy together with stem cells. Another of the most interesting observations as Vital Resource for Researchers, Policy Makers,” that the research team found was that it appears this Illustration contained formatting errors and the Insights from Peyronie’s Disease as if the actual event that precipitates the onset data were not clearly presented. We are including As part of these studies, which are being of the development of erectile dysfunction in this corrected table because we believe the conducted at the urology research laboratory the tissues of most men — whether it is due to information is important and relevant to patients within the grounds of the Los Angeles aging, diabetes, or following radical prostate and healthcare providers. Biomedical Institute on the campus of the surgery — is degeneration of the nerves that Estimated annual cost to an individual Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Drs. Rajfer innervate the penis. This neural degeneration with urologic diagnosis and Gonzalez-Cadavid are also examining the in turn leads to the degeneration of the muscle Diagnosis Individual annual cost* biochemical processes involved in Peyronie’s that these nerves innervate — in this case Kidney Cancer $12,155 disease, a fibrotic disorder that affects the tissue the spongy muscular tissue within the penile Bladder Cancer $9,585 that encases the erectile bodies of the penis. bodies — and because this spongy tissue is Prostate Cancer $7,019 This research was initiated with funding from responsible for initiation and maintenance of Testicular Cancer $6,236 a generous donor, and the work that emanated the erectile response, when this occurs the Urinary Incontinence $4,498 from these studies has made their laboratory patient experiences impotence. Urolithiasis $4,472 one of the few in the world working on Painful Bladder Syndrome $4,396 Peyronie’s disease, a relatively common but “We believe we have determined the Interstitial Cystitis $4,251 misunderstood disorder. physiological reasons men become impotent Male Urinary Tract Infection $2,829 with age,” Dr. Rajfer says. “Now we hope to Prostatitis $1,759 A number of years ago, Drs. Rajfer and come up with pharmacological treatments Female Urinary Tract Infection $1,574 Gonzalez-Cadavid recognized that the cellular that can either prevent or cure impotence if Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia $1,536 changes that occur within the tissues of the and when it occurs.” Erectile Dysfunction $1,101 *Privately insured patients 18 to 64 years of age. 5 UCLA Department of Urology Update Fall 2008 Vol.19 Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials Update Discovering New Ways to Care
The UCLA Department of Urology is committed to ongoing research in a Featured Clinical Trial: A Study Examining be eligible for the study, patients must have quest to develop new treatments and the Use of CB7630 and Prednisone in Patients received docetaxel (Taxotere) and have metastatic cures for all urologic conditions. Our with Prostate Cancer Who Have Stopped prostate cancer. team has been instrumental in making Responding to Docetaxel Based Chemotherapy. major breakthroughs in the areas of: (Pharmaceutical company: Cougar) BLADDER CANCER AND DISORDERS
• Prostate cancer, prostatitis, and • Uropathogen Detection, PI: Bernard M. The purpose of this study is to test whether BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) Churchill, MD — Using DNA biosensors, a new oral drug known as abiraterone can treatments this study investigates a detection system that extend life expectancy (survival) in patients with would identify uropathogens quickly and • Kidney cancer and transplantation castration-resistant metastastic prostate cancer. enable point-of-care diagnosis and treatment Once prostate cancer spreads (metastasizes) of urinary tract infections. • Male infertility and sexual dysfunction and continues to progress despite therapies aimed at eliminating the male hormones • Pelvic medicine, incontinence and (i.e., medical castration), the cancer is termed KIDNEY CANCER reconstructive surgery castration-resistant. The only treatment that • Kidney Cancer, PI: Allan Pantuck, MD, has been shown to extend life expectancy for MS, FACS — A comparative study that tests patients with metastatic castration-resistant how well clear cell renal cancer can be seen prostate cancer is a form of chemotherapy using 124I-cG250 and a PET/CT scanner. called docetaxel (Taxotere). No effective The picture produced by this scan will be treatments have been established for after compared to a traditional diagnostic CT docetaxel has stopped working. In this study, scan of the same body area. (Pharmaceutical patients will be randomly assigned into one of company: Wilex AG) two groups: One group will get the abiraterone and one group will get a placebo. The study • Kidney Cancer, PI: Arie Belldegrun, MD — is designed so that two out of three patients will A study to collect blood specimens in order get the abiraterone, and only one out of three to establish immunotherapy to investigate patients will get the placebo. In order to whether a gene called hypoxia-inducible
WWW.UCLAUROLOGY.COM UROLOGY APPOINTMENT LINE: (310) 794-7700 For more information about eligibility requirements and participating in these or other UCLA Urology clinical trials, please contact Nazy Zomorodian, MSN, CUNP, at (310) 794-7704 or go to www.uclaurology.com and click on the “Research & Clinical Trials” link.
with temsirolimus (TORISEL), a Food and PROSTATE CANCER AND DISORDERS Drug Administration (FDA)-approved • Prostate Cancer, PI: William Aronson, MD drug that is prescribed as standard-of-care — Patients who are scheduled to undergo treatment for people with advanced kidney radical prostatectomy (localized disease), cancer that has spread to other parts of the who have more than minimal disease, are body and cannot be cured or easily controlled. being recruited for a trial in which they are (Pharmaceutical company: Aveo) randomized to a balanced Western diet or a low-fat diet with fish oil capsules, to study • Kidney Cancer, PI: Fairooz Kabbinavar, serum and tissue biomarkers. MD — A Phase II study of M200 (anti-a 5ß1 integrin monoclonal antibody) in patients with • Prostate Cancer, PI: Arie Belldegrun, MD metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study — Study of a new treatment regimen prior uses a form of immunotherapy treatment to radical prostatectomy to improve the for patients whose disease has stopped results of surgery for high-risk patients. responding to other therapy. This drug is (Pharmaceutical company: Pfizer) designed for a specific form of kidney cancer that is verified by pathology. (Pharmaceutical • Prostate Cancer, PI: Allan Pantuck, MD, company: Wyeth) MS, FACS — Effects of pomegranate juice or extract or placebo on PSA rising after primary • Kidney Cancer — Metastatic Renal Cell treatment. (Pharmaceutical company: Roll) Carcinoma, PI: Allan Pantuck, MD, MS, FACS — A trial designed to prospectively • Prostate Cancer, PI: Robert Reiter, MD, MBA validate predictive models of response to — A large, multi-institutional clinical trial high-dose IL-2 treatment in patients with examining the role of biological measures factor (HIF) can serve as a therapeutic target metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study (biomarkers) in determining the appropriate for the treatment of patients with kidney uses a form of immunotherapy treatment for treatment for prostate cancer. cancer. (National Institutes of Health) patients whose disease has spread to other sites. (Pharmaceutical company: Novartis Select) • Prostate Cancer, PI: Matthew B. Rettig, MD • Kidney Cancer, PI: Arie Belldegrun, MD — A study to test the safety and effectiveness — Compiling a database that will have the • Kidney Cancer — Metastatic Papillary Renal of an experimental drug (Aflibercept) when used ability to track patients throughout their Cell Carcinoma, PI: Matthew Rettig, MD — in combination with another approved drug disease course. (Pharmaceutical company: A Phase II study of Velcade administered as a for metastatic androgen-independent prostate Chiron Corporation) single agent in metastatic papillary renal cell cancer. (Pharmaceutical company: Sanofi) carcinoma. The study is cell alteration therapy • Kidney Cancer, PI: Fairooz Kabbinavar, MD for patients whose disease has spread to • Prostate Cancer, PI: Robert Reiter, MD, MBA — A treatment protocol for patients continuing other organs and is not responding to other — A long-term study examining the treatment from a prior SU011248 protocol. Subjects therapy. This drug is designed for a specific of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with are asked to take part in this study if they form of kidney cancer. (Pharmaceutical laser. (Pharmaceutical company: AMS) participated in another study using SU011248 company: Velcade) without having any unacceptable side effects. • Prostate Cancer, PI: Matthew Rettig, MD — (Pharmaceutical company: Pfizer) A study to evaluate the use of cancer drugs KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION and hormone therapy to reduce the prostate • Kidney Cancer, PI: Fairooz Kabbinavar, • Kidney Transplantation, PI: H. Albin Gritsch, gland prior to surgery. (Pharmaceutical MD — A study to evaluate how well an MD — A study to evaluate new methods of company: Target) experimental drug (AMG 386) works when monitoring the immune system in patients used with an approved drug (Sorafenib) for following renal transplantation. The goal is • Prostate Cancer, PI: Matthew Rettig, MD — metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the kidney. to detect rejection at an early stage before the A Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo- (Pharmaceutical company: Amgen) new kidney is severely injured. These new controlled study of Abiraterone Acetate techniques may reduce the need for biopsy of (CB7630) plus prednisone in patients with • Kidney Cancer, PI: Fairooz Kabbinavar, the kidney and may allow for less immuno- metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer MD — A study of the investigational suppression in some patients. who have failed docetaxel-based chemotherapy. drug AV-951, being given in combination (Pharmaceutical company: Cougar)
7 UCLA Department of Urology Update Fall 2008 Vol.19 People
Perseverance Pays Off for Clark Urology Nurse
Loved and appreciated by Clark Urology Center From Courier to Nurse patients, faculty and staff, licensed vocational Before long, Mr. Rivera became a certified nurse Oscar Rivera personifies love of family phlebotomist. He found that by advancing and a willingness to work harder than anyone himself professionally, he was able to help more to reach his goals. Born in El Salvador, he was people in the clinic. Mr. Rivera decided that raised by his grandmother Antonia (“Tonia”) he wanted to keep learning how to help people; until he was 8 and she contracted incurable he just needed to figure out how to do it. breast cancer. Tonia taught her grandson that nothing is free, and that perseverance would In April 2006, he began his training to become be required to get what he wanted in life. a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). “In my These teachings are something that Mr. Rivera wildest dreams, I never thought I’d be a nurse; treasured and carried with him as he grew up I had wanted to be a teacher,” he says. “But as a in Los Angeles and later moved up through the nurse you teach patients how to care for ranks at UCLA. themselves, how to change their dressings, how to keep themselves healthy. And in Education Plans Deferred pediatrics, you’re not just teaching the patient, you’re working with their families, too.” After his grandmother’s health declined, Mr. Rivera found a school where he could “I wake up in the morning Mr. Rivera joined his parents in Los Angeles, go to class evenings and weekends and still where he completed his primary and secondary and can’t wait to get to keep his full-time job at Clark Urology. Once education. He then attended Santa Monica again, he heard the voice of his grandmother work. I like to help patients Community College and received his associate saying, “You want something, you work hard degree. His plan was to continue his education who come into the clinic for it.” After 18 months of working hard seven at Cal State Northridge, where he had already days a week, with wife Claudia remaining not feeling good, and see been accepted, and eventually become a bilingual understanding and helpful along the way, teacher. But problems with his immigration them leave with a smile Mr. Rivera finished his training. He received paperwork got in the way. Instead of college, his LVN certification and licensing in July of on their face.” Mr. Rivera started working two jobs to pay this year. for the steep immigration application fees and make ends meet. Eventually he received his “I’m just doing my job, and I love to do it!” temporary residency and met and married his he says. “I wake up in the morning and can’t wife, Claudia. wait to get to work. I wonder, What am I going to do? What’s going to happen today? I like to The year they married was challenging in many help patients who come into the clinic not ways for the young couple. After losing his job, feeling good, and see them leave with a smile Mr. Rivera found work as a courier at UCLA on their face. They are the reason we are here.” Medical Center, a position that would eventually take him to places he had never dreamed of. Ultimately the UCLA Department of Urology became part of his route, and Mr. Rivera soon befriended several people who worked in the Clark Urology Center. Soon he was offered a job in Clark Urology as a hospital assistant. It was a job that he didn’t feel completely prepared for, but he told his future supervisors, “If you’re willing to train me, I’m willing to learn and I’ll learn fast.”
WWW.UCLAUROLOGY.COM UROLOGY APPOINTMENT LINE: (310) 794-7700 Donor Notes Lynda and Stewart Resnick, long-time friends and benefactors of the Department of Urology, have made a $1 million contribution to the Department of Urology through the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This gift will provide multi-year support for the Resnick Family-PCF Young Investigators, as well as postdoctoral fellows, who are launching KudosKudos transformational and preclinical research focusing Kudos on prostate cancer. Kudos Jennifer T. Anger, MD, MPH, assistant professor Larissa V. Rodríguez, MD, associate professor The donation also will help fund projects within of urology, was recently awarded a five-year of urology, recently received the 2008 Paul the department’s Specialized Program of Research career development award from the NIDDK Zimskind Award from the Society of Excellence (SPORE) in prostate cancer, a partnership for her project “Quality of Care Indicators for Urodynamics and Female Urology for her with the National Cancer Institute and one of 11 Overactive Bladder Symptoms.” The goal of the continuing excellence and leadership such programs in the country. “The Resnicks’ project is to improve the treatment for women in the field of voiding dysfunction and dedication and the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s with overactive bladder and urge incontinence pelvic medicine. The award is given to an thoughtful involvement combine to make this gift by developing measures of high-quality care. individual with the most contributions to the both a truly meaningful resource and a visionary Dr. Anger’s mentors on this project are Dr. Larissa field of pelvic medicine, reconstructions, and commitment,” says Dr. Jean B. deKernion, Rodriguez and Dr. Mark S. Litwin. voiding dysfunction within 10 years of graduating from residency. A major grant was department chair. A recent study by William Aronson, MD, recently awarded to Dr. Rodríguez as principal professor of urology, has shown that lowering investigator and Emeran Mayer, MD, professor Dr. Arthur Schapiro the intake of the type of fat common in the of medicine, as co-investigator, from the Western diet helps prevent prostate cancer in National Institutes of Health and National Retires After 38 Years mice. The study, which appeared in the April Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney on Faculty 15 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Diseases. The project, “Brain Bladder Interactions Research, focused on fat from corn oil, which is in Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome When he started training as a UCLA urology resident made up primarily of omega-6 fatty acids — the (IC/PBS),” is a multidisciplinary study of the in 1964, Arthur Schapiro had no intention of going polyunsaturated fat commonly found in the interactions between stress, the brain, and into private practice. Dr. Schapiro remembers Western diet and present in high levels in baked bladder symptoms in patients with IC/PBS. discussing his options with Dr. Willard E. Goodwin, and fried goods. Researchers fed one group Dr. Rodríguez also presented the State of the then the chairman of the UCLA Department of of mice a diet with roughly 40 percent of its Art Lecture at the 2008 annual meeting of the Urology. There were opportunities in other cities calories coming from fat, a percentage American Urologic Association (AUA) earlier to become involved in the emerging field of this year. Additional recognition from the AUA typical in men eating a Western diet. kidney transplantation, but Dr. Schapiro ultimately The other group received a diet with 12 percent Annual Meeting included the third prize in the decided to pursue a private urology practice in Los of calories from fat, considered a very low-fat Basic Science Competition ACMI Prize Essay Angeles, where much of his family lived. “It was diet. Researchers found a 27 percent reduced Contest, awarded jointly to Dr. Rodríguez and incidence of prostate cancer in the low-fat Rong Zhang, PhD, DDS, research associate. a wise decision,” he says, having recently retired diet group. “This is the first time that a following 38 years on the Department of Urology’s clinical faculty. “I was very happy with the nature low-fat diet was evaluated using a genetic Ariana L. Smith, MD, a fellow in Pelvic of the work I did, the people I worked with, and mouse model for prostate cancer that closely Reconstruction, was recently awarded a research mimics human prostate cancer,” says Dr. Aronson. fellowship from the California Institute the communities I worked in.” “We think this is an important finding.” for Regenerative Medicine for her project, During the nearly four decades he spent as a “Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Repair of general urologist on the department’s clinical Mark S. Litwin, MD, MPH, professor of urology, Bladder Smooth Muscle.” The project explores faculty, Dr. Schapiro was often called on to assist received the Franklin D. Murphy Award from cell-based therapies using adipose- (or fat-) in teaching residents and medical students. the Stein-Oppenheimer Endowment for Medical derived stem cells that are used to construct In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Schapiro was Research at UCLA. This award honors the new tissue to repair bladder smooth muscle accomplishments of a past Stein-Oppenheimer deterioration after obstruction. involved in efforts to ensure utilization effectiveness Endowment grantee whose research best and total quality improvement as vice president demonstrates innovation and leadership in the Special kudos to those who received awards of medical affairs at Daniel Freeman Hospital. pursuit of knowledge. When presenting the at the Department of Urology’s reception In retirement, Dr. Schapiro is continuing to serve award, Mr. Oppenheimer noted that Dr. Litwin commemorating the end of the 2007-2008 as a consultant to the Medicare program on “has been a wonderful citizen of the UCLA academic year. Vesna Ivančić, MD, chief urology quality and billing issues, as well as spending community, serving on and chairing numerous resident for 2007-2008, received the Willard E. more time with his family, which now includes departmental and university committees, Goodwin Resident Teaching Award; Arnold four grandchildren. Once a week, he spends an presenting a multitude of invited lectures, and Chin, MD, urology resident 2007-2008, the hour with third-year medical students at UCLA, representing the university at the national and Guy Dalla Riva Award; and Christopher Ng, international level with distinction.” MD, the Clinical Faculty of the Year honor. discussing urology.
WWW.UCLAUROLOGY.COM UROLOGY APPOINTMENT LINE: (310) 794-7700 9 UCLA Department of Urology Update Fall 2008 Vol.19 Did You Know?
An Opportunity to Make Tax-Free Department of Urology Gifts from Your IRA! Update
The IRA Charitable Rollover created under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 has been Fall 2008 | Vol. 19 | NO. 2 extended through the end of 2009. Donors who are 70½ years of age or older may make a charitable gift from a traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) of up DEPARTMENT CHAIR to $100,000 per year tax free. To qualify for IRA rollover treatment, the donor must direct Jean B. deKernion, md the IRA manager to transfer funds directly to The UCLA Foundation. The deadline for CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER gifts in the 2008 tax year is December 31, 2008. For more information about ways to take Glenda Hale advantage of this important giving opportunity, please call the UCLA Office of Gift Planning editors at (800) 737-8252. Dan Gordon Jenny Shepard Design Give Now. Here’s How. Sargent & Berman Contributions to the Department of Urology support our research programs and help our Copyright © 2008 by UCLA Department of Urology faculty make the cutting-edge discoveries that can save lives. You can learn more about All rights reserved. how to support the Department of Urology by logging on to www.uclaurology.com/gifts. Please feel free to call (310) 825-5056 if you have any questions about making a gift to Urology Appointment Line: (310) 794-7700 UCLA Department of Urology Website: UCLA Urology. www.uclaurology.com
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