Intratumoral Injection of Large Surface Area Microparticle Taxanes in Carcinomas Increases Immune Effector Cell Concentrations, Checkpoint Expression, and Synergy with Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

This review summarizes development of large surface area microparticle paclitaxel (LSAM-PTX) and docetaxel (LSAM-DTX) for local treatment of primary carcinomas with emphasis on immunomodulation. Intratumoral (IT) delivery of LSAM-PTX and LSAM-DTX provides continuous, therapeutic drug levels for several weeks. Preclinical studies and clinical trials reported a reduction in tumor volume (TV) and immunomodulation in primary tumor and peripheral blood with increases in innate and adaptive immune cells and decreases in suppressor cells. Increased levels of checkpoint expression of immune cells occurred in clinical trials of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (LSAM-DTX) and unresectable localized pancreatic cancer (LSAM-PTX). TV reduction and increases in immune effector cells occurred following IT LSAM-DTX and IT LSAM-PTX together with anti-mCTLA-4 and anti-mPD-1, respectively. Synergistic benefits from combinatorial therapy in a 4T1-Luc breast cancer model included reduction of metastasis with IT LSAM-DTX + anti-mCTLA-4. IT LSAM-PTX and LSAM-DTX are tumoricidal, immune enhancing, and may improve solid tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors without additional systemic toxicity.

[Novel minimally invasive treatment options for male lower urinary tract symptom]

Novel minimally invasive treatment options strive for innovative approaches that are equally efficient to standard procedures with a superior safety profile. A true minimally invasive technique can be performed in an ambulatory setting under local anaesthesia and no need for postinterventional catheterization so that quick and problem-free return to everyday life is possible. Sexual dysfunction is a great concern of sexually active patients facing surgery. The novel techniques clearly demonstrate that relief of bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is possible without compromising erectile and ejaculatory function. Urolift® is an attractive treatment option for carefully selected patients without a middle lobe who have special interest in the rapid and smooth return to daily activity and the complete preservation of sexual function. Rezũm® and AquaBeam® are promising novel techniques that can be also performed in the presence of certain prostatic features like a middle lobe. iTIND® is still in its infancy of clinical evaluation and therefore, its true value still needs to be determined. According to current data the role of intraprostatic injectables for the treatment of male LUTS is still unclear.