Urethral Stricture

Researchers are studying men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer mCRPC to understand how different PETCT scans can predict outcomes during radioligand therapy with 177Lu-PSMA-617. This is an exploratory, prospective study conducted at a single center, focusing on imaging tumor heterogeneity to help assess therapy effects and patient response. The study is designed specifically for Veterans undergoing this treatment. Participants will receive several types of PETCT scans at different times before starting LuPSMA radioligand therapy RLT, and then after the 2nd, 4th, and 6th treatment cycles. These scans include 18F-Fluciclovine PETCT Axumin, 18F-DCFPyL PETCT, and 18F-FDG PETCT. The 18F-Fluciclovine scans will be performed within seven days of the PSMA PET scans to compare imaging results at each time point. During the study, detailed imaging measures such as lesion uptake and tumor volume will be collected and analyzed over time. Patients will be followed at the institution to correlate these imaging results with clinical outcomes. The main outcome measured is the impact of 18F-Fluciclovine PETCT on predicting outcomes of the 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy from enrollment through 34 weeks of treatment.

Researchers are investigating why some men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH, a common condition causing urinary problems due to prostate enlargement, do not respond to the typical treatment drug Finasteride. The study focuses on understanding resistance to this treatment and hopes to use noninvasive methods like MRI to detect prostate inflammation and predict which patients will not benefit from Finasteride, allowing for alternative treatments in the future. Men eligible for the study will receive Finasteride as standard care for BPH symptoms, particularly those with moderate urinary symptoms and a prostate size over 40cc. Participants will undergo prostate MRIs and biopsies, along with blood and urine tests, before starting treatment. They will be monitored every six months with symptom assessments and have follow-up MRIs at three years to track changes in prostate size and inflammation, while tissue samples will be analyzed for gene expression and hormonal levels. Throughout the study, participants will attend clinic visits to evaluate urinary symptoms and treatment response, with a key assessment at 12 months to measure the effect of Finasteride. Researchers will collect detailed data including MRI scans, prostate tissue analyses, and hormone tests to understand treatment resistance. The study aims to improve how BPH is managed by identifying patients unlikely to respond to current therapy, with monitoring continuing over several years to gather comprehensive information.

Researchers are evaluating the use of a radiotracer called 64Cu-GRIP B with PET imaging to detect granzyme B, a biomarker produced by immune cells during immunotherapy, in patients with advanced cancers that have spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. This phase III study focuses on genitourinary cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, urothelial cancer, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, aiming to assess safety and usefulness of the imaging in monitoring immune response. Participants are divided into four groups based on cancer type metastatic genitourinary malignancies, renal cell and urothelial carcinoma, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and other solid tumors. All receive the 64Cu-GRIP B injection followed by PET scans at baseline. Some groups have additional scans at 8 weeks and at disease progression. Imaging methods include PETCT or PETMRI, with safety monitoring conducted at multiple time points after tracer injection. During the study, patients undergo scans, blood sampling, and tumor biopsies when applicable. Researchers monitor adverse events, tracer distribution, and tumor uptake patterns over time. Outcomes measured include safety, tracer pharmacokinetics, changes in tumor uptake values, and correlations with clinical outcomes such as response to immunotherapy and progression-free survival. Participants are followed for up to two years to assess long-term effects and disease progression.

Researchers are investigating urethroplasty as a treatment option for urethral stricture disease across all patient groups, including native men, native women, transmen, transwomen, and children. This prospective observational study aims to gather unbiased evidence on urethroplastys outcomes compared to other treatments like direct vision internal urethrotomy or dilation, which have shown lower long-term success rates. The study is sponsored by the University Hospital, Ghent, and focuses on understanding treatment effectiveness and patient experience over time. The study observes patients undergoing urethroplasty, an open reconstructive surgery designed to restore normal urine flow by repairing urethral strictures. There are no intervention groups or comparators since it is an observational study. The study tracks patient outcomes over several years to measure the surgerys success and impact on various aspects of health and quality of life. Participants will be monitored from the time of surgery up to 10 years to assess failure-free survival, meaning the time until stricture recurrence or death. Additionally, patients will complete questionnaires before surgery and at regular intervals for up to two years afterward to track changes in erectile function, ejaculatory function, urinary function, continence, and quality of life. This long-term follow-up allows researchers to understand both the clinical and personal effects of urethroplasty.

Researchers are studying tumors in the genitourinary GU tract, including cancers of the kidney, bladder, prostate, testicles, penis, and rare types such as neuroendocrine cancers. This study aims to better understand both common and rare urinary tract cancers, especially those so rare that they are not often included in treatment studies or tissue banks. The goal is to gather detailed information about the natural history and characteristics of these cancers to improve diagnosis and treatment. Participants will be part of a long-term, multi-center observational study where their medical histories will be collected and followed over time. They may provide tissue samples, blood, and urine for scientific studies, including genetic testing. Imaging scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis may be done, sometimes with contrast agents. Optional tumor biopsies may be performed up to twice a year to collect samples. Participants will receive recommendations about cancer management and treatment and can ask questions throughout the study. During the study, participants will have physical exams, provide clinical photographs of skin lesions, and complete surveys about family cancer history. Follow-up visits will occur frequently, and if participants cannot visit the study center, their home doctors will be contacted to continue monitoring. The study will track disease progression, treatment responses, and other clinical information over the participants lifetimes. The primary outcome measure is understanding the natural history of urothelial and rare genitourinary cancers.

This research evaluates a new imaging method combining electromagnetic tracking with laparoscope and ultrasound probe imaging to improve surgeries for patients with confirmed urologic cancers. These cancers may affect the bladder, prostate, testicle, kidney, urethra, penis, ureter, or scrotum. The study aims to enhance visualization and localization of affected areas during lymph node dissection or organ removal surgeries, potentially reducing complexity, complications, and improving outcomes. Participants will undergo surgeries using a standard laparoscope and ultrasound probe equipped with an electromagnetic sensor to track lymph nodes or organs of interest. This imaging protocol is expected to record data in under 10 minutes during the procedure. The study is a pilot trial involving 10 participants and is supported by Siemens Medical USA. Participants will be monitored through laparoscope and ultrasound images and electromagnetic tracking data over one year. Researchers will assess the accuracy of navigation retrospectively. The involvement includes scheduled surgeries with laparoscopic lymph node dissection andor organ removal, supported by imaging and tracking to evaluate this novel approach. The study is led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and runs until December 2026.

This research aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of three different endoscopic techniques for removing large prostate tissue in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH who experience severe urinary symptoms. The study focuses on men with prostate sizes over 100 mL who have not responded to medical treatments and have significant symptoms measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score IPSS and urinary flow rates. The trial is a prospective randomized controlled study conducted at Tanta University Hospital, evaluating three surgical methods used to treat large prostates causing lower urinary tract symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, each undergoing a different prostate enucleation procedure Thulium Fiber Laser Enucleation ThuFLEP using a 60W thulium fiber laser, Holmium Laser Enucleation HoLEP using a 150W holmium YAG laser, or Bipolar Transurethral Enucleation B-TUEP using bipolar electrical energy. All procedures are performed transurethrally and involve removing the prostate tissue with a morcellator. Each group will have 30 patients, and the study will run from October 2025 to October 2027. Participants will undergo thorough preoperative assessments including symptom scores, urinary flow tests, ultrasounds, blood tests, and prostate-specific antigen measurements. After surgery, follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months will evaluate symptom relief, quality of life, urinary flow rate, residual urine volume, and erectile function. Researchers will also track operative times, blood loss, catheter duration, hospital stay, and complications categorized by the Clavien-Dindo system. The study measures both patient outcomes and surgical efficiency over six months post-operation.

Researchers are studying fetuses with severe kidney failure that causes very low amniotic fluid, a condition called anhydramnios. This lack of fluid can harm lung development and lead to serious health problems or death shortly after birth. The study aims to find out if repeated amnioinfusions, which add fluid to the amniotic sac, can improve survival chances until dialysis or kidney transplant is possible. This research builds on earlier findings and seeks to improve outcomes for families facing this diagnosis. Participants will be divided into two groups one receiving serial amnioinfusions with routine care, and a control group receiving comfort care without intervention. The amnioinfusions involve injecting sterile fluid into the amniotic cavity using a thin needle guided by ultrasound. The study team will perform these procedures at a specialized fetal care center, adjusting the number of infusions as needed. The trial also includes careful safety monitoring throughout pregnancy and after delivery. During the study, participants will have regular imaging tests like ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and MRIs, along with lab tests to monitor both the fetus and mother. Researchers will track fetal survival to dialysis and transplant, maternal safety up to 30 days after birth, and other pregnancy outcomes such as timing of membrane rupture and delivery. Follow-up will continue until at least two years after birth to assess transplant eligibility and long-term survival.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH is a common condition in older men characterized by enlargement of the prostate, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms LUTS such as frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, difficulty urinating, and feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. This study investigates the levels of nerve growth factor NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF in urine samples to understand their role in bladder outlet obstruction caused by BPH and the related changes in the bladder. Researchers aim to compare these levels before and after surgical procedures to relieve obstruction, as well as with control patients without obstruction.

Researchers are investigating treatments for metastatic non-prostate genitourinary cancers, including bladder and kidney cancers. This phase I trial evaluates the safety and effects of two drugs, M7824 and PDS01ADC, with or without stereotactic body radiation therapy SBRT. These therapies aim to enhance the immune systems ability to fight cancer, especially in patients whose cancers have spread and may not respond well to current immunotherapies. Participants receive M7824 through intravenous infusion every two weeks and PDS01ADC via subcutaneous injection every four weeks in 28-day treatment cycles. Some participants may also receive SBRT radiation either sequentially or concurrently with the drugs. The trial includes three treatment groups drugs alone, drugs with sequential SBRT, and drugs with concurrent SBRT. Doses of PDS01ADC may be adjusted based on tolerance. Up to 66 participants will be enrolled. Throughout the study, participants undergo regular assessments including medical history reviews, physical exams, blood and urine tests, electrocardiograms, and imaging scans. Tumor samples and saliva are collected before and during treatment. After treatment ends, a follow-up visit occurs 30 days later, followed by ongoing monitoring through phone or email every 12 weeks. The main outcomes measured include safety, tolerability, progression-free survival, overall survival, and tumor response.