Effect of Brachytherapy vs. External Beam Radiotherapy on Sexual Function in Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of brachytherapy (BT) versus external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) on sexual function in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa).Methods: Data were retrieved from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database until March 4, 2021. Analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4.1. The main clinical outcomes were the Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices (PCSI) scale and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) scale scores for sexual function. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% CI. This study has undergone PROSPERO registration (No. CDR42021245438).Results: Among the 962 studies retrieved, eight prospective cohort studies met the inclusion criteria, covering a total of 2,340 patients, including 1,138 treated with BT alone and 1,202 treated with EBRT alone. The results demonstrated that BT was to some extent advantageous over EBRT in overall sexual function scores in patients with localized PCa during the immediate post-treatment period (SMD = −0.09, 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.01, p = 0.03), but this difference was not detectable at 3 months (SMD = −0.07, 95% CI: −0.18–0.05, and p = 0.25), 12 months (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI: −0.21–0.20, and p = 0.96), and 24 months (SMD = −0.09, 95% CI: −0.20–0.01, and p = 0.09) after treatment.Conclusion: Our analysis showed that BT showed a short-term advantage over EBRT in terms of sexual function in patients with localized PCa, but this difference diminished over time, though the conclusion needs to be further verified by a longer-term follow-up study.

An α2-Adrenergic Agonist, Brimonidine, Beneficially Affects the TGF-β2-Treated Cellular Properties in an In Vitro Culture Model

“…Functionally, our data indicate that BRI cancelled the TGF-β2-induced decrease in maximal mitochondrial respiration. It is known that TGF-β2 induces cellular metabolic reprograming and redox status, which is associated with cellular properties [ 27 ]. Indeed, we recently found that TGF-β2 shifts energy reserves from the mitochondria to glycolysis in both 2D and 3D HTM cells [ 17 ].…”

Commercial and business aspects of alpha radioligand therapeutics

“…Consequently, an increasing number of novel 225 Ac-labeled compounds are currently under development. We last counted 16 Current production levels are listed for current sources, while values for potential sources list estimates of maximum possible production at sample of existing and operational facilities that have dedicated stations for large-scale medical isotope production. This list includes key facilities but is not exhaustive and does not include potential yet currently impractical methods that may be established in the future.…”

“…High-dose-rate brachytherapy temporarily introduces iridium isotopes close to the tumor site to deliver a higher dose of radiation over a shorter period of time and overcomes limitations of early brachytherapy approaches ( 14 ). Evidence-based medicine indicates that brachytherapy may be superior to EBRT in terms of efficacy and safety in several patient groups ( 15 , 16 ). Survival rates are remarkable: 17-years survival of 97% in prostate cancer ( 17 ); 79.4% 3-years survival in cervical cancer patients ( 18 ).…”

Erectile Dysfunction in Pelvic Cancer Survivors and Current Management Options

“…Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently observed neoplasia (after lung cancer) in males worldwide [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…As screening for prostate cancer has increased in the past few decades, prostate cancer has generally been detected at an earlier stage and in younger patients. As treatment has also been refined, with more patients surviving longer, quality of life concerns have become central [ 2 , 8 , 19 ].…”