@phdthesis{Lutz2024, author = {Lutz, Jakob}, title = {Prospektive Validierung des Erlangen Index als pr{\"a}operatives geriatrisches Assessment zur Beurteilung des postoperativen Outcome großer urologischer Eingriffe}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35168}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-351686}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Die Gesellschaft altert und es erhalten vermehrt geriatrische Patienten radikale urologische Eingriffe. Alte Patienten haben im Rahmen derartiger Operationen ein erh{\"o}htes Risiko sowohl f{\"u}r Komplikation, verschlechtertes funktionelles Outcome und Mortalit{\"a}t. Da alte Patienten dennoch von den Operationen profitieren k{\"o}nnen und diese auch weitgehend sicher bei diesen durchgef{\"u}hrt werden k{\"o}nnen, gilt es das geriatrische Patientenklientel in Bezug auf ihre Konstitution pr{\"a}operativ genauer zu evaluieren. Die Erlanger Pilotstudie, an die sich vorliegende Arbeit anlehnt, hat dazu einen Index f{\"u}r Patienten ≥ 70 Jahre mit geplanter Prostatektomie, Nephrektomie und Zystektomie entwickelt, der sowohl das postoperative funktionelle Outcome nach 30 bzw. 180 Tagen, wie auch die Mortalit{\"a}t, nicht aber Komplikationen signifikant korrekt vorhersagen konnte. Ziel vorliegender Arbeit war es, die Pr{\"a}diktivit{\"a}t des Erlangen Index hinsichtlich dieser vier Endpunkte in einer prospektiv angelegten Studie mit n=46 Patienten ≥ 65 Jahre am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum W{\"u}rzburg zu validieren. Es sollte dabei im Speziellen die in der Erlanger Pilotstudie erfasste gute Pr{\"a}diktivit{\"a}t des Erlangen Index f{\"u}r das funktionelle Outcome nach 180 Tagen {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft werden. In dieser Arbeit zeigte sich der Erlangen Index pr{\"a}diktiv f{\"u}r das funktionelle Outcome nach 180 Tagen. F{\"u}r die anderen Endpunkte konnte keine Pr{\"a}diktivit{\"a}t des Erlangen Index festgestellt werden. Durch vorliegende Studie konnte die schlechte Pr{\"a}diktion der Komplikationen durch den EI best{\"a}tigt werden. Anders als in der Pilotstudie war der Erlangen Index in vorliegender Studie zur Vorhersage des funktionellen Outcome nach 30 Tagen und der Mortalit{\"a}t nicht geeignet. Bei Betrachtung der Untergruppen nach Art der Operation zeigte der EI starke Korrelationen f{\"u}r die Pr{\"a}diktion des funktionellen Outcome nach 180 Tagen in den Gruppen der Patienten nach Prostata- und Harnblasenoperation. Die Ergebnisse decken sich somit nur teilweise mit den Ergebnissen aus der Pilotstudie in Erlangen, in der der Erlangen Index bzgl. des funktionellen Outcome nach 180 Tagen die gr{\"o}ßte Korrelation in der Untergruppe der Patienten nach Nephrektomie zeigte. Der Index erwies sich als schnell durchf{\"u}hrbares Assessment, das wenig Personal erfordert. Es ist weiter zu pr{\"u}fen, ob sich durch Anwendung dieses Assessment tats{\"a}chlich {\"A}nderungen im klinischen Therapieregime ergeben bzw. ob sich die Modifizierungen der Therapie auch in einem verbesserten Outcome der Patienten auswirken.}, subject = {Operation}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Schwinger2023, author = {Schwinger, Marcel}, title = {Ein Propensity-Score basierter Vergleich bez{\"u}glich langfristiger metabolischer, funktioneller und renaler Ergebnisse von refluxiver versus nicht-refluxiver Ureterimplantation bei kontinenter kutaner Harnableitung}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30347}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303479}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Diese Dissertation hatte zum Gegenstand, einen Propensity-Score basierten Vergleich bez{\"u}glich langfristiger metabolischer, funktioneller und renaler Ergebnisse von refluxiver versus nicht-refluxiver Ureterimplantation bei kontinenter kutaner Harnableitung durchzuf{\"u}hren. Sie hatte zum Ziel, m{\"o}gliche Vor- und/oder Nachteile einer solchen refluxiven Ureterimplantation aufzuzeigen. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde eine Technik zur Ureterimplantation an einer solchen Harnableitung vorgestellt, die noch keinen allgemeinen Eingang in die operative Urologie gefunden hat. Zwischen 1997 und Mitte 2018 erhielten 172 Personen eine heterotrope kontinente Harnableitung im Sinne eines MAINZ-Pouch I an der Klinik und Poliklinik f{\"u}r Urologie und Kinderurologie des W{\"u}rzburger Universit{\"a}tsklinikums. Von diesen konnte bei 19 ein pouchorenaler Reflux nachgewiesen werden. Bei f{\"u}nf Personen wurde eine Ureterimplantationstechnik im Sinne eines zuf{\"u}hrenden Ileumrohrs verwendet. Dem Kontrollkollektiv wurden mittels Propensity-Score-Matchings 38 Teilnehmende zugewiesen. Die Auswertung ergab, dass beide Kollektive w{\"a}hrend des Follow-Up-Zeitraums hinsichtlich Nierenfunktion, Metabolik und Funktionalit{\"a}t des oberen Harntrakts vergleichbar waren. Das Auftreten einer neuen chronischen Nierenerkrankung wurde in beiden Gruppen gleich h{\"a}ufig beobachtet. Auch waren keinerlei Unterschiede bez{\"u}glich intra- oder postoperativer Komplikationen feststellbar. Die Laborparameter zeigten sich langfristig stabil und vergleichbar in beiden Kollektiven. Diese Arbeit kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass die refluxive Ureterimplantation an kontinenter Harnableitung sowohl f{\"u}r Prim{\"a}reingriffe als auch f{\"u}r Revisionsoperationen als sicher und zuverl{\"a}ssig einzustufen ist. Dies gilt sowohl f{\"u}r das zuf{\"u}hrende Ileumrohr als auch f{\"u}r andere refluxive Implantationstechniken. Die Vorteile des zuf{\"u}hrenden Ileumrohrs liegen vor allem in der relativ einfachen Erlern- und Durchf{\"u}hrbarkeit der Operationstechnik. Auch sind bei den so operierten Personen die Neoostien besser erreichbar, was eine einfachere bzw. bessere retrograde Manipulierbarkeit der Ureteren im Vergleich zur nicht-refluxiven Ureterimplantation erm{\"o}glicht. Diese Gegebenheiten erleichtern das Gesamtprocedere f{\"u}r den Operateur/die Operateurin und den behandelnden Arzt/die behandelnde {\"A}rztin wesentlich und f{\"u}hren damit zu mehr Sicherheit. Daraus ergibt sich ein deutlicher Nutzen f{\"u}r alle in Frage kommenden zu operierenden Personen. F{\"u}r sie steht eine weitere Implantationstechnik sowohl f{\"u}r die Prim{\"a}rsituation als auch f{\"u}r Revisionseingriffe zur Verf{\"u}gung, die eine sichere Option mit gleichwertigem Outcome hinsichtlich zentraler Parameter darstellt und die dem Gesundheitssystem keine h{\"o}heren Kosten verursacht. Jeder Mediziner und jede Medizinerin w{\"u}nschen sich, in Entscheidungssituationen den Betroffenen aus mehreren m{\"o}glichst guten Optionen die optimale Therapie f{\"u}r ihre konkrete Situation vorschlagen zu k{\"o}nnen. Die M{\"o}glichkeit daf{\"u}r hat sich f{\"u}r die Ureterimplantation bei kontinenter kutaner Harnableitung mit der als mindestens gleichwertig anzusehenden refluxiven Implantation nunmehr verbessert. Die operative urologische Praxis wird um eine weitere sichere Methode erweitert.}, subject = {Harnableitung}, language = {de} } @article{SolimandoBittrichShahinietal.2023, author = {Solimando, Antonio G. and Bittrich, Max and Shahini, Endrit and Albanese, Federica and Fritz, Georg and Krebs, Markus}, title = {Determinants of COVID-19 disease severity - lessons from primary and secondary immune disorders including cancer}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {24}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {10}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms24108746}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319412}, year = {2023}, abstract = {At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with primary and secondary immune disorders — including patients suffering from cancer — were generally regarded as a high-risk population in terms of COVID-19 disease severity and mortality. By now, scientific evidence indicates that there is substantial heterogeneity regarding the vulnerability towards COVID-19 in patients with immune disorders. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current knowledge about the effect of coexistent immune disorders on COVID-19 disease severity and vaccination response. In this context, we also regarded cancer as a secondary immune disorder. While patients with hematological malignancies displayed lower seroconversion rates after vaccination in some studies, a majority of cancer patients' risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease were either inherent (such as metastatic or progressive disease) or comparable to the general population (age, male gender and comorbidities such as kidney or liver disease). A deeper understanding is needed to better define patient subgroups at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease courses. At the same time, immune disorders as functional disease models offer further insights into the role of specific immune cells and cytokines when orchestrating the immune response towards SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longitudinal serological studies are urgently needed to determine the extent and the duration of SARS-CoV-2 immunity in the general population, as well as immune-compromised and oncological patients.}, language = {en} } @article{KotlyarKrebsSolimandoetal.2023, author = {Kotlyar, Mischa J. and Krebs, Markus and Solimando, Antonio Giovanni and Marquardt, Andr{\´e} and Burger, Maximilian and K{\"u}bler, Hubert and Bargou, Ralf and Kneitz, Susanne and Otto, Wolfgang and Breyer, Johannes and Vergho, Daniel C. and Kneitz, Burkhard and Kalogirou, Charis}, title = {Critical evaluation of a microRNA-based risk classifier predicting cancer-specific survival in renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {15}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {7}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers15071981}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311040}, year = {2023}, abstract = {(1) Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava (ccRCC\(^{IVC}\)) represents a clinical high-risk setting. However, there is substantial heterogeneity within this patient subgroup regarding survival outcomes. Previously, members of our group developed a microRNA(miR)-based risk classifier — containing miR-21-5p, miR-126-3p and miR-221-3p expression — which significantly predicted the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of ccRCC\(^{IVC}\) patients. (2) Methods: Examining a single-center cohort of tumor tissue from n = 56 patients with ccRCC\(^{IVC}\), we measured the expression levels of miR-21, miR-126, and miR-221 using qRT-PCR. The prognostic impact of clinicopathological parameters and miR expression were investigated via single-variable and multivariable Cox regression. Referring to the previously established risk classifier, we performed Kaplan-Meier analyses for single miR expression levels and the combined risk classifier. Cut-off values and weights within the risk classifier were taken from the previous study. (3) Results: miR-21 and miR-126 expression were significantly associated with lymphonodal status at the time of surgery, the development of metastasis during follow-up, and cancer-related death. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, miR-21 and miR-126 significantly impacted CSS in our cohort. Moreover, applying the miR-based risk classifier significantly stratified ccRCC\(^{IVC}\) according to CSS. (4) Conclusions: In our retrospective analysis, we successfully validated the miR-based risk classifier within an independent ccRCC\(^{IVC}\) cohort.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kotlyar2023, author = {Kotlyar, Michael}, title = {Prognostische Rolle von microRNA-21, -126 und -221 im klarzelligen Nierenzellkarzinom mit Vena cava-Thrombus}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32181}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-321817}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Im Rahmen der Progression des klarzelligen Nierenzellkarzinoms kann es zur Invasion der Vena cava durch einen Tumorthrombus (ccRCC/TT) kommen. Allerdings besteht auch in diesem fortgeschrittenen Stadium eine deutliche Heterogenit{\"a}t bez{\"u}glich des klinischen Verlaufs. W{\"a}hrend sich mit bekannten Verfahren die Prognose bislang unzureichend vorhersagen ließ, gelang es in Vorarbeiten mittels im Tumorgewebe erfasster miRNA-Expressionen, ein {\"U}berlebensklassifikationsmodell auf Basis eines Kombinierten Risikoscores (miR-21, miR-126, miR-221) zu konzipieren. Hierdurch konnte das postoperative {\"U}berleben von ccRCC/TT Patienten des W{\"u}rzburger Universit{\"a}tsklinikums retrospektiv vorhergesagt werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit war es m{\"o}glich, mit Hilfe molekularbiologischer und biostatistischer Methoden das vorbeschriebene Modell erfolgreich an einem unabh{\"a}ngigen, gr{\"o}ßeren Regensburger ccRCC/TT Patientenkollektiv zu validieren. Am Tumor verstorbene Patienten konnten erneut einer klinisch relevanten High-Risk-Gruppe bzw. einer prognostisch g{\"u}nstigeren Gruppe zugeordnet werden. MiR-21 und miR-126 waren erneut statistisch signifikant mit der Fernmetastasierung und dem tumorbedingten Versterben assoziiert. MiR-21 pr{\"a}sentierte sich sowohl in der am Tumor verstorbenen als auch in der fernmetastasierten Patientengruppe deutlich {\"u}berexprimiert, w{\"a}hrend die Expression von miR-126 stark vermindert war. Die neu untersuchte miR-205 zeigte sich in der fernmetastasierten sowie nodal positiven Patientengruppe hochreguliert, ein geringer Zusammengang mit dem tumorbedingten Versterben konnte hergestellt werden. Im zweiten Ansatz gelang es relevante miRNA-Expressionsunterschiede zwischen Seren W{\"u}rzburger ccRCC-Patienten mit und ohne Invasion des Gef{\"a}ßsystems sowie tumorfreien Kontrollen zu identifizieren. Die langfristige Herausforderung besteht darin, das validierte {\"U}berlebensklassifikationsmodell derart weiterzuentwickeln, dass es supportive klinische Anwendung in der Therapieplanung finden kann.}, subject = {Hypernephrom}, language = {de} } @article{MarquardtHartrampfKollmannsbergeretal.2023, author = {Marquardt, Andr{\´e} and Hartrampf, Philipp and Kollmannsberger, Philip and Solimando, Antonio G. and Meierjohann, Svenja and K{\"u}bler, Hubert and Bargou, Ralf and Schilling, Bastian and Serfling, Sebastian E. and Buck, Andreas and Werner, Rudolf A. and Lapa, Constantin and Krebs, Markus}, title = {Predicting microenvironment in CXCR4- and FAP-positive solid tumors — a pan-cancer machine learning workflow for theranostic target structures}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {15}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {2}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers15020392}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-305036}, year = {2023}, abstract = {(1) Background: C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) and Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha (FAP) are promising theranostic targets. However, it is unclear whether CXCR4 and FAP positivity mark distinct microenvironments, especially in solid tumors. (2) Methods: Using Random Forest (RF) analysis, we searched for entity-independent mRNA and microRNA signatures related to CXCR4 and FAP overexpression in our pan-cancer cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database — representing n = 9242 specimens from 29 tumor entities. CXCR4- and FAP-positive samples were assessed via StringDB cluster analysis, EnrichR, Metascape, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Findings were validated via correlation analyses in n = 1541 tumor samples. TIMER2.0 analyzed the association of CXCR4 / FAP expression and infiltration levels of immune-related cells. (3) Results: We identified entity-independent CXCR4 and FAP gene signatures representative for the majority of solid cancers. While CXCR4 positivity marked an immune-related microenvironment, FAP overexpression highlighted an angiogenesis-associated niche. TIMER2.0 analysis confirmed characteristic infiltration levels of CD8+ cells for CXCR4-positive tumors and endothelial cells for FAP-positive tumors. (4) Conclusions: CXCR4- and FAP-directed PET imaging could provide a non-invasive decision aid for entity-agnostic treatment of microenvironment in solid malignancies. Moreover, this machine learning workflow can easily be transferred towards other theranostic targets.}, language = {en} } @article{HartrampfWeinzierlSeitzetal.2022, author = {Hartrampf, Philipp E. and Weinzierl, Franz-Xaver and Seitz, Anna Katharina and K{\"u}bler, Hubert and Essler, Markus and Buck, Andreas K. and Werner, Rudolf A. and Bundschuh, Ralph A.}, title = {Any decline in prostate-specific antigen levels identifies survivors scheduled for prostate-specific membrane antigen-directed radioligand therapy}, series = {The Prostate}, volume = {82}, journal = {The Prostate}, number = {14}, doi = {10.1002/pros.24414}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318766}, pages = {1406 -- 1412}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) is increasingly incorporated in the therapeutic algorithm of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We aimed to elucidate the predictive performance of early biochemical response for overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods In this bicentric analysis, we included 184 mCRPC patients treated with \(^{177}\)Lu-PSMA RLT. Response to treatment was defined as decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels 8 weeks after the first cycle of RLT (any decline or >50\% according to Prostate Cancer Working Group 3). OS of responders and nonresponders was then compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank comparison. Results A total of 114/184 patients (62.0\%) showed any PSA decline (PSA response >50\%, 55/184 [29.9\%]). For individuals exhibiting a PSA decline >50\%, OS of 19 months was significantly longer relative to nonresponders (13 months; hazard ratio of death [HR] = 0.64, 95\% confidence interval [95\% CI] = 0.44-0.93; p = 0.02). However, the difference was even more pronounced for any PSA decline, with an OS of 19 months in responders, but only 8 months in nonresponders (HR = 0.39, 95\% CI = 0.25-0.60; p < 0.001). Conclusions In mCRPC patients scheduled for RLT, early biochemical response was tightly linked to prolonged survival, irrespective of the magnitude of PSA decline. As such, even in patients with PSA decrease of less than 50\%, RLT should be continued.}, language = {en} } @article{JordanBroeerFischeretal.2022, author = {Jordan, Martin C. and Br{\"o}er, David and Fischer, Christian and Heilig, Philipp and Gilbert, Fabian and H{\"o}lscher-Doht, Stefanie and Kalogirou, Charis and Popp, Kevin and Grunz, Jan-Peter and Huflage, Henner and Jakubietz, Rafael G. and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Meffert, Rainer H.}, title = {Development and preclinical evaluation of a cable-clamp fixation device for a disrupted pubic symphysis}, series = {Communications Medicine}, volume = {2}, journal = {Communications Medicine}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s43856-022-00227-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299800}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Traumatic separation of the pubic symphysis can destabilize the pelvis and require surgical fixation to reduce symphyseal gapping. The traditional approach involves open reduction and the implantation of a steel symphyseal plate (SP) on the pubic bone to hold the reposition. Despite its widespread use, SP-fixation is often associated with implant failure caused by screw loosening or breakage. Methods To address the need for a more reliable surgical intervention, we developed and tested two titanium cable-clamp implants. The cable served as tensioning device while the clamp secured the cable to the bone. The first implant design included a steel cable anterior to the pubic symphysis to simplify its placement outside the pelvis, and the second design included a cable encircling the pubic symphysis to stabilize the anterior pelvic ring. Using highly reproducible synthetic bone models and a limited number of cadaver specimens, we performed a comprehensive biomechanical study of implant stability and evaluated surgical feasibility. Results We were able to demonstrate that the cable-clamp implants provide stability equivalent to that of a traditional SP-fixation but without the same risks of implant failure. We also provide detailed ex vivo evaluations of the safety and feasibility of a trans-obturator surgical approach required for those kind of fixation. Conclusion We propose that the developed cable-clamp fixation devices may be of clinical value in treating pubic symphysis separation.}, language = {en} } @article{SolimandoKalogirouKrebs2022, author = {Solimando, Antonio Giovanni and Kalogirou, Charis and Krebs, Markus}, title = {Angiogenesis as therapeutic target in metastatic prostate cancer - narrowing the gap between bench and bedside}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2022.842038}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-263061}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Angiogenesis in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has been extensively investigated as a promising druggable biological process. Nonetheless, targeting angiogenesis has failed to impact overall survival (OS) in patients with mCRPC despite promising preclinical and early clinical data. This discrepancy prompted a literature review highlighting the tumor heterogeneity and biological context of Prostate Cancer (PCa). Narrowing the gap between the bench and bedside appears critical for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Searching clinicaltrials.gov for studies examining angiogenesis inhibition in patients with PCa resulted in n=20 trials with specific angiogenesis inhibitors currently recruiting (as of September 2021). Moreover, several other compounds with known anti-angiogenic properties - such as Metformin or Curcumin - are currently investigated. In general, angiogenesis-targeting strategies in PCa include biomarker-guided treatment stratification - as well as combinatorial approaches. Beyond established angiogenesis inhibitors, PCa therapies aiming at PSMA (Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen) hold the promise to have a substantial anti-angiogenic effect - due to PSMA´s abundant expression in tumor vasculature.}, language = {en} } @article{EckhardtSbieraKrebsetal.2022, author = {Eckhardt, Carolin and Sbiera, Iuliu and Krebs, Markus and Sbiera, Silviu and Spahn, Martin and Kneitz, Burkhard and Joniau, Steven and Fassnacht, Martin and K{\"u}bler, Hubert and Weigand, Isabel and Kroiss, Matthias}, title = {High expression of Sterol-O-Acyl transferase 1 (SOAT1), an enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism, is associated with earlier biochemical recurrence in high risk prostate cancer}, series = {Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases}, volume = {25}, journal = {Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases}, number = {3}, issn = {1476-5608}, doi = {10.1038/s41391-021-00431-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-271819}, pages = {484-490}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent cancer in men. The prognosis of PCa is heterogeneous with many clinically indolent tumors and rare highly aggressive cases. Reliable tissue markers of prognosis are lacking. Active cholesteryl ester synthesis has been associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness. Sterol-O-Acyl transferases (SOAT) 1 and 2 catalyze cholesterol esterification in humans. Objective To investigate the value of SOAT1 and SOAT2 tissue expression as prognostic markers in high risk PCa. Patients and Methods Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 305 high risk PCa cases treated with radical prostatectomy were analyzed for SOAT1 and SOAT2 protein expression by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to compare outcome. Main Outcome Measure Biochemical recurrence (BCR) free survival. Results SOAT1 expression was high in 73 (25\%) and low in 219 (75\%; not evaluable: 13) tumors. SOAT2 was highly expressed in 40 (14\%) and at low levels in 249 (86\%) samples (not evaluable: 16). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, we found significantly shorter median BCR free survival of 93 months (95\% confidence interval 23.6-123.1) in patients with high SOAT1 vs. 134 months (112.6-220.2, Log-rank p < 0.001) with low SOAT1. SOAT2 expression was not significantly associated with BCR. After adjustment for age, preoperative PSA, tumor stage, Gleason score, resection status, lymph node involvement and year of surgery, high SOAT1 but not SOAT2 expression was associated with shorter BCR free survival with a hazard ratio of 2.40 (95\% CI 1.57-3.68, p < 0.001). Time to clinical recurrence and overall survival were not significantly associated with SOAT1 and SOAT2 expression CONCLUSIONS: SOAT1 expression is strongly associated with BCR free survival alone and after multivariable adjustment in high risk PCa. SOAT1 may serve as a histologic marker of prognosis and holds promise as a future treatment target.}, language = {en} }