Abstract:

This article summarizes the important advances and future trends in prostate cancer research presented at the 2024 European Urological Association (EAU) Annual Meeting. Studies have indicated that molecular imaging techniques such as prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer, despite existing technical limitations and the need for standardization. The role of biomarkers in early diagnosis and treatment decision-making is becoming increasingly important, with liquid biopsy methods showing high sensitivity and specificity. There is an ongoing debate regarding the treatment strategy for PSMA-positive M_1a patients, with a need for further research to clarify best practices. Focal therapy, as a method to reduce side effects and improve quality of life, is suitable for specific patients. Nutritional support is crucial for the overall health and treatment response of patients. Technological innovations, including remote monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI), and electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs), are changing the diagnostic and treatment paradigms for prostate cancer. Future research will focus on optimizing treatment plans, innovating focal therapy techniques, evaluating the long-term effects of nutritional interventions, and further applying technological innovations to improve treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Key words: Prostate cancer, Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET), Biomarkers, Nutritional support, Artificial intelligence (AI), Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs), Electronic health (E-Health)