BASIC and CLINICAL RESEARCH

The Department's basic research activities are directed by Peter A. Jones, PhD, Director of the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and by Richard J. Cote, MD, Professor of Pathology and Urology. The laboratories of urologic cancer research include a 2,300 square foot unit located on the seventh floor of the USC/Norris Cancer Hospital and a 1,400 square foot unit located on the fifth floor of the Norman Topping Tower (adjoining the USC/Norris Hospital). The laboratory program focuses on the molecular and cellular biology of human bladder and prostate cancer.

Genito-Urinary Oncology (GU) - USC/Norris Cancer Center
Considered to be the strongest Program within the Cancer Center by an External Advisory Committee Report (4/26/02) in terms of research quality and productivity, the Committee noted a 400% increase in peer-reviewed funding from 1995 to 2001. This is a multidisciplinary, comprehensive Program that includes a number of internationally recognized, well-established clinical investigators, strong basic science and productive collaboration with members of several departments, which utilize unique databases established in, and dependent on, the Clinical Program in Urology. External Advisory Committee Report of the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center - April 2002: Urology Exerpt

Current Federally Funded Projects:

Faculty members in the Department of Urology who maintain individual laboratories include: Peter A. Jones, PhD (Biochemistry), Richard J. Cote, MD (Pathology), Chih-Lin Hsieh, PhD, and Gerhard A. Coetzee, PhD.

JONES, Peter A.
"Molecular Mechanisms of Human Bladder Carcinogenesis.” Norris researchers receive $6.8 million from NCI to study Bladder Cancer
”De Novo DNA Methylation in Bladder Cancer.”

COETZEE, Gerhard A.
“Androgen Receptor-Mediated Escape Mechanisms from Androgen Ablation Therapy." (DOD)

"Steroid-independent signaling of the AR in hormone-independent prostate cancer." (Prostate Cancer Foundation)

"Aberrant AR signaling as a function of declining testosterone." (DOD)

"AR and RUNX2 target genes in prostate cancer." (NCI)

HSIEH, Chih-Lin
“Impact and dynamics of DNA methylation.” (NIH)

“Targets and requirements of methylation in human cells.” (NIH)

“Prostate Cancer Susceptibility: The ICPCG study.” (NCI)

"Genetic Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer. " (NCI)

COTE, Richard
“Cellular and Molecular Markers of Prostate Cancer Progression.”
“COX-2 Expression and Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer.”


CLINICAL RESEARCH

The Department of Urology maintains large databases on prostate and bladder cancer and is currently developing new database in renal and testis cancer.

Current Federally Funded Projects:

“MVAC in Organ Confined Bladder Cancer Based on p53 Status.” (funded by NCI-NIH) (R. Cote and J Stein, PIs)
Interested in participating in this trial? p53 Targeted-Therapy Trial in Bladder Cancer

"Long-term quality of life in prostate cancer survivors." (NCI), D. Penson, PI

"Secondary Therapy in Localized Prostate Cancer." (NCI), D. Penson, PI

"A Prospective Study of Decision Making for Localized Prostate Cancer." (CDC), D. Penson, Co-PI

"Treatment Choice and Quality of Life for Men with Localized Prostate Cancer." (NCI), D. Penson, Co-PI

"Cohort Study of Risks for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia." (NIDDK), D. Penson, Co-PI

"Los Angeles County Germ Cell Tumor & Tissue Bank Resource at USC." (Lance Armstrong Foundation), D. Penson, Co-PI

"Primary Prevention versus Screening for Prostate Cancer." (NCI), D. Penson, Co-PI

In addition, the Department memebers particpate actively in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) national clinical trials.

Current Clinical Trials

"A Randomized Comparison of the Studer Pouch vs. the T-Pouch Orthotopic Neobladder Urinary Diversion in Bladder Cancer Patients."
(E. Skinner, PI)

“A Multi-Center Trial of Induction and 6 Courses of 3-Week Maintenance with BCG versus BCG Plus Interferon Alfa-2B (Intron-A) in Superficial Bladder Cancer.” (E. Skinner, PI)

“A Phase II Pilot Study of Estramustine, Docetaxel, and Carboplatin for Patients with Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer Progressing After Mitoxantrone-Based Chemotherapy.” (E. Skinner, PI)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate AMG 162 in the Treatment of Bone Loss in Subjects Undergoing Androgen-Deprivation Therapy for Non-Metastatic Prostate Cancer. (D. Penson, PI)

Other Urology Clinicals Trials (see under GENITOURINARY)

National Meeting

Annual Meeting of the American Urological Associations (AUA)