- New
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01100-z
- Mar 13, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Sara Bleve + 18 more
Reprogrammed lipid metabolism with massive upregulation of tumor cell-autonomous synthesis of saturated fatty acids is a hallmark of prostate cancer (PCa) and is driven in part by aberrations in androgen receptor (AR) signaling. While lipid alterations are well described in primary PCa, the extent to which the circulating lipidome reflects tumor-associated metabolic changes in metastatic disease, and its role in therapy response, remains to be determined. This study aims to assess whether plasma lipid profiling captures tumor metabolic rewiring, and whether this reflects response to AR-targeting therapy, in metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC). Quantitative plasma lipidomics was performed on plasma samples collected from patients with mCRPC (n = 50) and cancer-free subjects (C-FS, n = 14). Samples from patients with mCRPC were collected longitudinally at the time of progression on androgen deprivation therapy prior to initiation of first-line enzalutamide (Enza), after the start of treatment with Enza, before progression on Enza. Compared to C-FS, patients with mCRPC showed distinct lipidomic signatures, characterized by increased levels of monounsaturated lipids and altered composition of the phospholipid and sphingolipid pool, mimicking the aberrations known to occur in primary PCa tissue. Enza treatment markedly reduced total lipid levels, decreased major phospholipid classes and ceramides, while increasing sphingomyelins. Notably, quantitative differences in specific sphingolipid species occurring after Enza treatment correlated with survival outcomes. Plasma lipidomics reflects key metabolic features of PCa and is profoundly impacted by AR inhibition, with prognostic relevance in patients with mCRPC. These findings support its potential as a non-invasive tool for monitoring disease activity and treatment response, and lay the groundwork for lipid-based biomarkers in mCRPC, while indicating that the lipidomic alterations observed may help inform ongoing and forthcoming research on metabolic targeting.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01098-4
- Mar 5, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Carlo Giulioni + 12 more
The management of antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains challenging due to competing risks of thromboembolism and perioperative bleeding. This meta-analysis evaluated perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing endoscopic prostate procedures while continuing antiplatelet (APT) or anticoagulant (AC) therapy compared with patients not receiving antithrombotic treatment. Literature search was conducted on 17th September 2025 including PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus database, to identify comparative studies evaluating perioperative outcomes of endoscopic prostate procedures in patients on versus off APT/AC therapy were identified. Data were pooled using random-effects models to estimate mean differences (MD) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Fifteen studies comprising 6091 patients (1900 on APT/AC, 4191 controls) were included. Operative time, postoperative hemoglobin decrease, catheterization duration, and continuous bladder irrigation time were comparable between groups across all surgical modalities. However, bleeding-related complications were significantly more frequent among APT/AC users undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.05-3.41, p = 0.03) and enucleation (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.71-4.93, p < 0.0001), particularly in the AC subgroup (OR 4.80, p = 0.0002). Enucleation also carried higher odds of bleeding requiring surgical hemostasis (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.73-7.84, p = 0.0007) and acute urinary retention (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.04-1.77, p = 0.02) among antithrombotic users. Conversely, photoselective vaporization (PVP) demonstrated comparable rates of transfusion, hemostasis, and urinary complications regardless of APT/AC therapy. Hospital stay was marginally longer after TURP and PVP among APT/AC users (p < 0.05). Continuation of antithrombotic therapy during PVP appears safe, with perioperative outcomes comparable to those of non-antithrombotic patients. Conversely, its ongoing use-especially AC-significantly increases bleeding risks following TURP and enucleation. PVP may therefore represent the preferred modality for high-risk patients requiring uninterrupted antithrombotic therapy. Clinical decision-making should balance individual thromboembolic risk against anticipated bleeding risk, with multidisciplinary input when appropriate.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01091-x
- Mar 3, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Ellen M Cahill + 8 more
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can significantly impair a man's quality of life. While traditional surgical treatments are effective, they often pose risks to sexual function, particularly in the form of ejaculatory and/or erectile dysfunction. Minimally invasive surgical treatments (MISTs) have emerged as alternative procedures that aim to alleviate LUTS while preserving sexual function. Investigate the impact of MISTs for BPH on sexual function including erectile and ejaculatory function. In May 2025, a systematic review and meta-analysis of sexual function outcomes in MISTs was performed using the Ovid, Embase, and Medline/PubMed databases. Articles were included if they were in English, assessed a MIST, and incorporated sexual function outcomes. Articles were excluded if they included pooled analyses, were abstracts without full text, and/or were ongoing incomplete clinical trials. We included studies on water vapor thermal therapy (Rezum), prostatic urethral lift (Urolift), prostatic artery embolization (PAE), temporary implantable nitinol device (iTIND), Optilume BPH catheter system, and transperineal laser ablation (TPLA). Outcomes included erectile function using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and ejaculatory function using the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ). The initial search yielded 2646 studies. After screening and full text review, 77 studies met inclusion criteria encompassing a total of 11,477 patients. Based on the pooled analyses, IIEF scores significantly improved after Rezum and Urolift. Urolift significantly improved MSHQ-function and bother scores, while Rezum only improved MSHQ-bother scores. PAE, iTind, Optilume, and TPLA did not significantly impact erectile or ejaculatory function. MISTs are a promising option for management of BPH in patients interested in maintaining sexual function, preserving or even improving erectile and ejaculatory function.
- New
- Research Article
1
- 10.1038/s41391-025-01023-1
- Mar 1, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Francesco Chierigo + 16 more
The introduction of novel robotic platforms has expanded surgical options for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). However, comparative outcomes with da Vinci multiport (MP) system remain unclear. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare perioperative, early oncological, and functional outcomes of RARP performed with novel robotic platforms versus the da Vinci MP system. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase (updated December 22, 2024) following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies compared RARP performed with alternative robotic platforms versus da Vinci MP, reporting perioperative, oncological, or functional outcomes. A network meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Outcomes were expressed as mean differences for continuous variables and odds ratios (OR) for dichotomous variables, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Thirty-three studies for a total of 5987 patients were included. Compared to da Vinci MP, da Vinci SP had lower odds of lymph node dissection (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.26-0.61) and nerve-sparing (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.61) but was associated with shorter catheterization (-1.18 days, 95% CI -2.05 to -0.31) and hospital stay (-0.68 days, 95% CI -1.05 to -0.31). Versius, KangDuo, and SHURUI SP had significantly longer operative times (MD 74.00, 95% CI 42.49-105.51; MD 53.96, 95% CI 18.26-89.67; MD 103.88, 95% CI 69.99-137.78, respectively). Hugo RAS had higher intraoperative malfunction rates (OR 6.53, 95% CI 2.17-19.63). Positive surgical margin rates were lower for da Vinci SP (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.92) but higher with the perineal approach (OR 6.30, 95% CI 1.53-25.94). PSA persistence, biochemical recurrence, continence and erectile function rates were comparable across platforms. This is the first network meta-analysis comparing robotic platforms for RARP. While perioperative differences exist, oncological and functional outcomes appear comparable. Future studies should address learning curve effects, cost-effectiveness, and long-term functional outcomes to optimize robotic platform selection.
- New
- Discussion
- 10.1038/s41391-025-01027-x
- Mar 1, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Yung-Chi Shih + 1 more
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01094-8
- Feb 25, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Enrico Checcucci + 12 more
The Mona Lisa 2.0 robotic platform integrates MRI/ultrasound fusion, AI-based prostate segmentation, and automated needle trajectory planning to optimize transperineal targeted biopsy (TB) precision. We report the first European experience in 10 consecutive patients undergoing robot-assisted TB, with optional systematic cores. Clinically significant prostate cancer was detected in all rTB procedures. Standard cores added limited diagnostic yield and mainly sampled perilesional "penumbra" areas. Mean biopsy duration was 12.9 min, no peri- or post-procedural complications occurred, and high-quality tissue samples were consistently obtained. These preliminary data confirm feasibility, safety, and reproducibility of Mona Lisa 2.0 robotic platform, as a new kid on the block in urologic robotic armamentarium.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01096-6
- Feb 25, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Matteo Droghetti + 28 more
The EMBARK trial demonstrated improved survival with enzalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR), although staged using conventional imaging. Given the higher sensitivity of PSMA-PET, many of these patients could harbor metastatic disease. We retrospectively analyzed 587 patients with first BCR after radical treatment who underwent PSMA-PET. Patients were stratified according to EMBARK criteria for high-risk BCR. 169 patients (29%) met EMBARK criteria. They more often showed PSMA-PET positivity for any localization (82% vs 39%; p < 0.001) and metastatic disease (46% vs 15%; p < 0.001). Median PSA was higher and PSA doubling-time (PSADT) shorter (2.23 vs 0.43 ng/mL; 4.3 vs 9 months). Most High-risk BCR patients have a positive PSMA-PET, and many of these harbor metastatic disease at molecular imaging. Given the survival benefit from intensified systemic treatment with ARPI in this cohort, how to best combine systemic therapy with PSMA-PET guided metastases-directed-treatments remains an important future area of research.
- New
- Research Article
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01092-w
- Feb 24, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Marcus Sondermann + 8 more
The management of metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has undergone revolutionary changes over the past two decades with the introduction of novel hormonal agents, chemotherapy combinations, PARP inhibitors, and radioligand therapies. This study evaluates the real-world impact of these therapeutic advances on overall survival (OS) in Germany. We analyzed data from the German national cancer registry covering 657,499 prostate cancer cases diagnosed between 1999 and 2021. After exclusions, 54,890 patients with de novo metastatic disease (M1) were included. Primary outcome was median OS. Secondary outcomes included 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates. Time series analysis assessed temporal trends using augmented Dickey-Fuller tests and joinpoint regression. Median OS for M1 patients improved from 31.0 months (95% CI: 29.8-32.2) in 1999 to 37.0 months (35.6-38.4) in 2019 (p < 0.001). This 19.4% improvement exceeded general life expectancy gains. Age-stratified analysis revealed disparate benefits: patients < 70 years experienced improvement from 34.0 to 49.0 months ( + 44.1%), while those ≥ 70 years showed minimal change (28.0 to 29.0 months, +3.6%). Three-year survival increased from 45.1% to 50.9% (p = 0.004), with younger patients achieving 61.3% versus 44.0% for older patients by 2019. Multivariate Cox regression confirmed diagnosis year as an independent predictor (HR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.96-0.97, p < 0.001). Real-world data confirm meaningful survival improvements in metastatic prostate cancer over two decades, validating the translation of clinical trial efficacy into routine practice. However, the pronounced age-related disparity suggests potential undertreatment of elderly patients and highlights the need for age-adapted treatment strategies.
- New
- Discussion
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01093-9
- Feb 24, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Zuomin Wang + 2 more
- New
- Discussion
- 10.1038/s41391-026-01087-7
- Feb 24, 2026
- Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases
- Zuomin Wang + 2 more