News and Events
UCLA Urology in the News
The UCLA Department of Urology provides cutting-edge diagnosis and treatments and supports a staff of renowned physicians, surgeons, and researchers. Demonstrating continued excellence in the field of Urology, the UCLA Department of Urology along with its varied Centers of Excellence, is often the subject of stories in newspapers, magazines, and journals. The Department also frequently issues news releases to keep the community informed on the latest developments in urology, the treatments available at UCLA, and various milestones within the Department. We include here a collection of recent stories, and an archive of older articles, for your further information.
September 25, 2024
Study helps predict how long it will take for testosterone to return to normal after prostate cancer treatment - UCLA Urology’s Drs. Robert Reiter, Sriram Eleswarapu and Matthew Rettig are authors on a study that sheds light on testosterone recovery following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer, providing key insights for optimizing patient care. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
September 18, 2024
Rare case study of ALK+ advanced RCC highlights drive for personalized medicine in kidney cancer – Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, associate professor of hematology/oncology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to OncLive.
September 17, 2024
ANKTIVA Boosts BCG for bladder cancer - Dr. Karim Chamie, associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Medical News Bulletin.
September 12, 2024
My life didn’t end after a devastating spinal cord injury – Dr. Jesse Mills, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, is highlighted in the Fall 2024 U Magazine for his help with patient, Anthony Purcell’s, fertility journey. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
September 10, 2024
The investigation of Zanzalintinib in advanced non-clear cell RCC - Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, associate professor of hematology/oncology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to OncLive.
August 30, 2024
What everyone needs to know about prostate cancer – Dr. Robert Reiter, professor of urologic oncology, chief of the division of urologic oncology, and director of UCLA's prostate cancer program, talks about prostate cancer and what people need to know. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
August 20, 2024
Dr. Tanya Stoyanova receives grant to develop new radiopharmaceuticals for cancer – Dr. Tayna Stoyanova, associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was awarded a $320,000 grant from Worldwide Cancer Research to develop an innovative molecular tool designed to detect and target prostate, breast, and potentially other carcinomas. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
August 4, 2024
Why you always need to pee when you get close to home – Dr. Victor Nitti, professor of urology and obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, and chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at UCLA Health, provides expert commentary to Huff Post.
Additional coverage: Yahoo! Life
August 1, 2024
Dr. Wayne Brisbane discusses new prostate cancer study – Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides expert commentary to KTLA 5.
Additional coverage: KTLA Video
August 1, 2024
Understanding men’s health risks: Why many avoid the doctor’s office, according to a UCLA urologist– Dr. Juan Andino, assistant clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA discusses how men are statistically more likely than women to skip a doctor’s visit. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional coverage: Health Reporter
July 25, 2024
Study identifies unique treatment preference profiles in men with prostate cancer – Dr. Christopher Saigal, professor and executive vice chair of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Dr. Jonathan Bergman, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA are authors of a study that holds promise for more personalized and effective prostate cancer care. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional coverage: Medical Xpress, ScienMag, Urology Times
July 2024
Dr. Robert Reiter, Bing professor of urologic oncology, chief of the division of urologic oncology, and director of UCLA's prostate cancer program, and Dr. Nicholas Donin, urologist and urologic oncologist at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, were included in Newsweek’s 2024 America’s Best Prostate Cancer Oncologists list. Learn more at News Week.
July 16, 2024
Dr. Tanya Stoyanova receives $1.8 million to reveal new treatment strategies for advanced prostate cancer - Dr. Tanya Stoyanova, associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was awarded a $1.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to identify new drivers and test new therapeutic strategies for advanced treatment-resistant prostate cancer. Dr. Arnold Chin, associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is a co-investigator. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
July 16, 2024
Inside Pirates utilityman Connor Joe's journey from cancer survivor to a 'grateful' father - Dr. Mark Litwin, professor and chair of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is mentioned in cancer survivor's experience. Learn more at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
July 15, 2024
UCLA Health once again top-ranked in annual assessment of hospital patient care - UCLA Health placed #1 in both California and Los Angeles* in a broad assessment of excellence in hospital-based patient care released July 15, 2024. Additionally UCLA Health Urology is ranked #4 nationally. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
July 15, 2024
Is there a ‘male menopause’? – Dr. Jesse Mills, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Live Science.
July 15, 2024
Cancer researchers receive grant to combat aggressive kidney cancer - Dr. Heather Christofk, director of Basic and Translational Research at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Brian Shuch, director of the Kidney Cancer Program and the Alvin & Carrie Meinhardt Endowed Chair in Kidney Cancer Research at UCLA, have received an $800,000 grant from the V Foundation to find new ways to treat and prevent a severe form of kidney cancer associated with a hereditary syndrome caused by mutations in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional coverage: Sciencenewsnet, News-Medical
July 3, 2024
Radiation oncologists awarded $1.8 million grant to advance personalized cancer therapy - Dr. Amar Kishan, executive vice chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is leading the team’s efforts in validating and leveraging biomarkers that can predict which patients will experience harmful side effects from radiation therapy. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
July 2, 2024
UCLA study challenges accuracy of U.S. News & World Report’s Urology Care Rankings – A study led by UCLA urologists, Dr. Kathy H. Huen, Dr. Mark S. Litwin, Dr. Christopher S. Saigal with the Department of Urology at UCLA Health, examined the accuracy of the USNWR mortality and discharge-to-home measures for patients admitted or treated for urologic conditions. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
July 1, 2024
Transforming prostate cancer care through personalized medicine - Dr. Adam Weiner, urologic oncology fellow at UCLA Health, is interviewed by Targeted Oncology.
June 24, 2024
Meet the founders of the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy - Dr. Arie Belldegrun, professor of urologic oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and IUO co-Director, discusses how the new institute will support scientific discoveries and groundbreaking medical treatments. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
June 12, 2024
AI model may yield better outcomes for prostate cancer - Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses using AI assistance for identifying cancerous tissue was 45 times more accurate than doctors' measurments alone. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional coverage: Scienmag, Medical Xpress, AZRobotics, Health Day, Fox News, Quartz, New York Post, HeadTopics
June 11, 2024
Scientists accurately measure cancer evolution - Dr. Paul Boutrous, professor of urology and human genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of cancer data science at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides expert commentary to Scienmag.
June 4, 2024
Male birth control gel shows promise in early-stage clinical trials – Dr. Jesse Mills, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, provides expert commentary to The Washington Post.
Additional coverage: CNN, Teen Vogue, and 11 others.
June 4, 2024
Libido loss: when men don’t want sex – Dr. Rajiv Jayadevan, assistant clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to WebMD.
June 4, 2024
Adding stem cells to a kidney transplant could get patients off anti-rejection drugs, trial finds - Dr. Jeffrey Veale, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange Program at UCLA Health, provides expert commentary to NBC News.
June 3, 2024
Using artificial intelligence to diagnose, treat, and predict cancer – Dr. Steven Raman, professor of radiology, urology and surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to KCAL-KCBS.
June 3, 2024
Dr. Carol Bennett receives leadership award from Society of Women in Urology – Dr. Carol Bennett, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, and the first Black woman in the field of urology with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Black Women Physicians. Learn more at the UCLA Newsroom.
Additional Coverage: Greater Diversity News.
May 31, 2024
Man donates 1 kidney and saves 2 lives – Dr. Jeffrey Veale, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange Program at UCLA Health, helps facilitate Caly Garcelli’s kidney donation through the UCLA Health kidney exchange program. Learn more at GMA.
May 23, 2024
ASCO: Large precision oncology study identifies differences in prostate cancer genomics among a racially and ethnically diverse cohort of U.S. veterans - Dr. Isla Garraway, professor, and director of research in urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Dr. Matthew Rettig, professor of urology and medical director of the prostate cancer program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, are members of the UCLA-VA collaborative team and authors on the abstract. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
May 21, 2024
UCLA Health research focuses on varicoceles and male fertility - Dr. Vadim Osadchiy, fourth year resident in urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, and Dr. Sriram Eleswarapu, physician scientist in the department of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, are investigators on a study about how an anatomic condition called a varicocele might further influence the microbiological environment. learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
May 14, 2024
OncLive’s April roundup of key FDA decisions in oncology – Dr. Karim Chamie, associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides expert commentary to OncLive.
May 10, 2024
Study finds unfold AI better predicts focal therapy success in prostate cancer patients - Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provide expert commentary to Applied Radiology.
May 9, 2024
Dr. Tanya Stoyanova receives Department of Defense Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award - Dr. Tanya Stoyanova, associate professor of UCLA Urology and molecular and medical pharmacology, was awarded an Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award from the Department of Defense. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
April 24, 2024
UCLA Health urologists will showcase groundbreaking research at the 2024 American Urological Association Annual Meeting – The UCLA Department of Urology will deliver over 70 presentations showcasing discoveries and innovations in urologic research. UCLA urologists include - Dr. Christopher Saigal, Dr. Wayne Brisbane, Dr. Joseph Shirk, Dr. Kymora Scotland, and Dr. Sriram Eleswarapu. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
April 23, 2024
FDA approves immunotherapy drug combo for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer after UCLA-led research shows improved outcomes for patients – Dr. Karim Chamie, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, leads the clinical trial that helps the immunotherapy drug combo receive approval. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional coverage: Yahoo! News UK, Drugs.com, Medical Xpress, Healio, ConsultantLive, LA and 39 others
April 21, 2024
At what age to men lose their sex drive? – Dr. Rajiv Jayadevan, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Health Digest.
April 15, 2024
Clay Garcelli wanted to save a life by donating his kidney, he ended up saving two – Dr. Jeffrey Veale, professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, expands the pool of potential donors and increases access to patients in need of a transplant. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
April 11, 2024
Dr. Matthew Rettig recognized by VA - Dr. Matthew Rettig, professor of urology and medical director of the prostate cancer program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has received the John B. Barnwell Award from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Clinical Science Research and Development for his significant contributions to prostate cancer research and clinical practice. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
Additional Coverage: UCLA Health News
March 27, 2024
SIR 2024: Study finds ultrasound ablation to be a precise, effective treatment for prostate cancer - Coverage of study led by Dr. Steven Raman, professor of radiology, urology and surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member, UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at Health Imagine News.
Additional Coverage: Yahoo! News, Newsmax, MedicineNet, Health Day, United Press International, eCancer, Easy Health Options
March 25, 2024
AACR: Progress treating pancreatic cancer, immunotherapy for head and neck cancers, potential biomarker for aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas and more – Dr. Tanya Stoyanova, associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and a team of researchers, identified a protein called UCHL1 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas and a childhood cancer, neuroblastoma. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
March 2024
Kidney Stones - Interview with Dr. Kymora Scotland, assistant professor of urology, director of endourology research and associate director of Endourology Fellowship Program at UCLA Health, on Doctor Radio.
March 18, 2024
Attacking metastatic prostate cancer early with combination treatment approach improves outcomes in preliminary study - Dr. Robert Reiter, professor of urologic oncology, chief of the division of urologic oncology, and director of UCLA's prostate cancer program, and Matthew Rettig, professor of urology and medicine (Hematology/Oncology), medical director, UCLA's prostate cancer program of the institute of urologic oncology, are study authors on a novel treatment approach combines potent hormone therapy with metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiation therapy to treat metastatic prostate cancer. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
March 11, 2024
Sitting down to pee has an unexpected effect on men’s health – Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men’s Clinic at UCLA, provides expert commentary to HealthDigest.
March 7, 2024
Unfold AI demonstrates utility for prostate cancer treatment planning in real-world case – Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Urology Times.
March 4, 2024
Telehealth, access to health care top the agenda as UCLA Health doctors, medical students travel to D.C. – Dr. Juan Andino, assistant clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, joined medical students for the 7th Annual Urology Advocacy Summit. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
March 3, 2024
In Focus: Dr. Jeffrey Veale on performing the first retroactive stem cell transplant – Dr. Jeffrey Veale, kidney transplant surgeon and director of the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange Program at UCLA Health, is featured on CBS News and affiliates.
Additional Coverage: CBS News and Stations: In Focus
March 2024
IMPACT receives Cultural North Star Award - The Improving Access Counseling and Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer (IMPACT) program has received the Cultural North Star Award, which recognizes the collaborative teamwork that serves as the cornerstone of the environment at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA as well as the mission of the Cultural North Star initiative. Learn more about the Cultural North Star Awards.
February 28, 2024
Bike Vessel film – Dr. Stanley Frencher, associate clinical professor of urology at David Geffen School of Medicine, director of urology and chair of perioperative services departments at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, is featured in Bike Vessel, a film by Eric D. Seals that documents the health journey of Eric’s father as they engage in a father-son cycling expedition across the country and along the way they discuss health challenges that impact the Black community and what is needed to achieve better physical and mental wellness. Learn more at Bike Vessel.
February 16, 2024
Think organ donation makes you weaker? Donors climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to prove otherwise - Dr. Albin Gritsch, kidney transplant specialist, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with a group of living organ donors to demonstrate that you can still be active and adventurous after donating an organ. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
February 14, 2024
Semen has its own microbiome – and it might influence fertility - Continued coverage of study led by Dr. Vasim Osadchiy, resident in the Department of Urology at UCLA Health, on Scientific American.
February 12, 2024
Novel drug boosts responses to BCG bladder cancer treatment - Dr. Karim Chamie, urologist at UCLA Health and associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Cure.
February 8, 2024
Experts develop guidelines for prostate cancer screening in Black men – Dr. Isla P. Garraway, Professor and Director of Research in Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, provides expert commentary to the Urology Times.
Additional Coverage: Healio, UCLA Health Newsroom
February 4, 2024
How AI is quietly changing everyday life – Dr. Wayne Brisbane, assistant professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to Politico.
February 1, 2024
Terpenes and CBD may reduce inflammation and fight viruses such as COVID-19 and the flu – Dr. Richard Boxer, clinical professor of UCLA urology, in collaboration with scientists in Israel, has found that the combination of terpenes, an organic compound found in cannabis and other plants, and cannabidiol (CBD) acted as an effective barrier in preventing cells from infection from both the coronavirus and influenza A virus in cells. Learn more on the UCLA Health Newsroom.
February 1, 2024
Potential biomarker found for neuroendocrine tumors, neuroblastoma – Dr. Tanya Stoyanova, associate professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, provides expert commentary to the Cure.
Additional Coverage: ASCO Post, eCancer, Medical Xpress, UCLA Health Newsroom
January 30, 2024
Leaders of Influence: Top LA Doctors 2024 - Features Dr. Mark S. Litwin, professor and chair of the department of urology at UCLA Health; and Dr. Amy Weimer, pediatrician, internal medicine physician, and founder of the UCLA Gender Health Program at UCLA Health.
Reference Articles: Dr. Mark Litwin's Article & Dr. Amy Weimer's Article
January 26, 2024
A glistening example of hope - Story about Kelly Seidenkranz, who received care for spontaneous coronary artery dissection from Dr. James Lee, interventional cardiologist and associate clinical professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine, and Dr. Jeffrey Veale, kidney transplant surgeon, clinical professor of urology and director of the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange Program at UCLA Health. Learn more at The Signal.
Jan 22, 2024
Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends PSA screening as early as age 40 for black men – Dr. Isla Garraway, associate professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and member of the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, provides expert commentary to ASCO Daily News.
Jan 20, 2024
How I rebuilt my family after a devastating spinal cord injury – Anthony Purcell, a patient of Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, speaks on his recovery and treatment from a spinal cord injury to Your Tango.
Jan 19, 2024
PSMA PET and RLT 2024: clinical impact of PSMA PET prior to prostatectomy - Dr. Robert Reiter, professor of urologic oncology, chief of the division of urologic oncology, and director of UCLA's prostate cancer program, provides expert commentary to URO Today.
January 19, 2024
Male fertility potentially affected by semen microbiome health – Dr. Vadim Osadchiy, resident in the department of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has led a study on the influence of semen microbiome. Coverage of the study is available at Mirage News.
Additional coverage: Jaun News, News-Medical, Tech & Science Post, Scienmag, United Press International, UCLA Health Newsroom
January 12, 2024
UCLA researchers receive $3 million grant from NCI to develop AI-based tools to detect aggressive prostate cancer – Dr. Paul Boutros, professor of human genetics and urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Dr. Leonard Marks, professor and deKernion Endowed Chair in Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology and Theranostics Program, are a part of a team of researchers working with AI to detect and predict aggressive prostate cancer. Learn more at Applied Radiology.
Additional Coverage: UCLA Health Newsroom, News-Medical
January 4, 2024
Study analyzes hospital system capacity burden amid the COVID-19 pandemic – Dr. Richard Boxer, clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has led a new study that analyzes hospital system capacity burden amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at the UCLA Health Newsroom.
January 2, 2024
How being a member of the President's National Cancer Advisory Board is contributing to high-quality oncology care - Dr. Richard Boxer, clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, provides expert commentary to The ASCO Post.