Thomas J. Polascik, MD, FACS, Professor of Urology at Duke University Medical Center, discusses the effectiveness of focal therapy for prostate cancer as an alternative to radical therapy. He presents a trial that tested vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP), which resulted in a higher chance for negative biopsy and lower risk of progression at 24 months when compared with active surveillance. Patients who underwent VTP were also less likely to later require radical treatment. Dr. Polascik then highlights another promising form of localized therapy, gold nanoshell-localized photothermal ablation, in which the tumor site is infused with gold nanoshell localized particles that are then activated by a laser. Lastly, he describes the Focal Therapy Society, an international group whose mission is to advance minimally invasive treatments and image-targeted cancer treatments. In addition to promoting focal therapy, the Society creates training and education opportunities, advocates for changes to clinical guidelines, and authors white papers.
