Research
The Department of Urology committed to developing research that will translate into more effective treatments for patients with urologic disorders. Recent or ongoing research programs include:
Neurogenic Bladder Study
Jason Gilleran, MD
Currently seeking patients interested in participating in a research study with urinary incontinence due to a "neurogenic bladder." We are specifically requesting ilndividuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury (SC) and urinary incontinence. This is an industry-sponsored study to test the effects of botulinum toxin (BoTox) on treating this type of incontinence. Patient enrollment ended in March 2009 and data is being evaluated. Find out more about the study by contacting our office at 614-293-8155, or contacting Study Coordinator Lisa Hafer at 614-293-7877.
Interstitial Cystitis Study
Jason Gilleran, MD
Enrolling patients in an IRB-approved study on intersititial cystitis (IC), also known as "painful bladder syndrome" (PBS).This condition is characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and bladder pain. In conjunction with Dr Tony Buffington from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr Rodriguez-Saona from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, a simple test has been developed to help distinguish between individuals with IC/PBS from those without the condition ("controls") as well as those with other bladder conditions. The test has been refined to the point where one can be tested using only a few small drops of blood from a finger stick, which can be evaluated by a technique called "Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy."
The study involves completing a set of questionaires, providing blood and urine samples, and having vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature) measured. We are also seeking healthy women who do not have IC and women with other bladder problems, such as recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI's) and overactive bladder (OAB), to participate as controls. For more information, contact Dr Gilleran's administrative assistant, Jennifer Theadore, at 614-293-3648.
Renal Tumor Imaging Study
Robert Bahnson, MD
Seeking participants for renal tumor imaging study sponsored by Wilex. The study will determine whether PET/CT imaging with a "radioactive" antibody will help in the diagnosis of clear cell renal cell cancer compared to the current standard, CT scan. Patients with renal masses undergoing a surgical resection of the mass are eligible for the study. Patients participating in the study sign an informed consent form before receiving the "radioactive" antibody. The PET/CT and CT scans are done before surgery and patients return to the clinic for follow-up evaluations. Patients who qualify to participate in the study are compensated for their travel expenses.
To learn more about the clinical trial, please contact Cathy Mojzisik, RN, MS at 614-366-7937.
Imaging Prostate Cancer Biomarkers
Guang Jia, PhD, a Post-Doctoral Researcher in Biophysics and Radiology, recently received a grant from the American Urological Association Foundation (AUAF). The proposal was to examine the ability of amide-proton transfer MRI to diagnose prostate cancer in situ with a noninvasive approach. The project involves imaging a small number (30) of prostate cancer patients to assess the levels of "Mobile Proteins" in prostate tumors and their ability to serve as a biomarker of prostate cancer.
The AUAF stated that OSU's training facility was the "strength of the proposal". Dr Jia will be co-mentored by Dr Michael Knopp, a Professor of Radiology at OSU and Dr Robert Bahnson, Professor and Chair of Urology at OSU. According to the AUAF, "Both mentors are felt to be of etremely high caliber and the co-mentorship identifies a unique potential mentoring environment that could nurture the development of new imaging technologies for Urology".
Surgical Outcomes of Robotic Prostatectomies
Ronney Abaza, MD
This IRB-approved study allows continuous tracking and analysis of the pre-surgical, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes data of the hundreds of patients annually undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy at OSU. Over 600 data points are collected for every patient who participates in this clinical trial under lead investigator, Dr Ronney Abaza. This effort will provide importatant information in our quest to improve patient care, prostate cancer cure, and quality of life, as well as provide accurate data to educate patients with prostate cancer. Unlike most institutions offering robotic surgery, our dedication to cancer care makes it our mission to ensure that our patients are receiving the best in robotic cancer surgery, and our expertise in research allows us to confirm this by reviewing our robotic surgery results continuously.
CALGB PUNCH Study
Ronney Abaza, MD
This trial is currently open for patients with high-risk prostate cancer, including high PSA, Gleason Score, or high volume tumors. As a regional referral center and major academic center, high-risk cancers are commonly referred to OSU for treatment where they can benefit from expert surgeons who specialize in treating higher risk cancers and from clinical trials offering treatments not yet available elsewhere. OSU's multidisciplinary prostate cancer team is offering appropriate patients participation in this national Phase III Study of Neo-Adjuvant Docetaxel and Androgen Deprivation Prior to Radical Prostatectomy versus Immediate Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with High-Risk, Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer. Through this trial, patients with high-risk prostate cancer can benefit from robotic prostatectomy and possibly receive a treatment combination for their disease only available at few academic centers in the country.
Preoperative 3T MRI Imaging of Prostate Cancer
Ronney Abaza, MD, Department of Urology and Michael Knopp, MD Department of Radiology
This IRB-approved study is a collaboration between principal investigator Dr Michael Knopp of the Department of Radiology and Dr Ronney Abaza. This study for men with prostate cancer who are going to have robotic surgery may allow better determination of tumor locations in the prostate and allows creation of 3-dimensional imaging models of the anatomy prior to surgery.
