Biofilm is complex and consists of bacterial colonies that reside in an exopolysaccharide matrix that attaches to foreign surfaces in a living organism. Biofilm frequently leads to nosocomial, chronic infections in clinical settings. Since the bacteria in the biofilm have developed antibiotic resistance, using antibiotics alone to treat infections brought on by biofilm is ineffective. This review provides a succinct summary of the theories behind the composition of, formation of, and drug-resistant infections attributed to biofilm and cutting-edge curative approaches to counteract and treat biofilm. The high frequency of medical device-induced infections due to biofilm warrants the application of innovative technologies to manage the complexities presented by biofilm.

Purpose. Prostate cancer that recurs during androgen deprivation therapy is referred to as androgen-independent. High levels of expression of androgen receptor and androgen receptor-regulated genes in recurrent prostate cancer suggest a role for androgen receptor and its ligands in prostate cancer recurrence. Experimental Design. Recurrent prostate cancer specimens from 22 men whose prostate cancer recurred locally during androgen deprivation therapy and benign prostate specimens from 48 men who had received no prior treatment were studied. Androgen receptor expression was measured using monoclonal antibody and automated digital video image analysis. Tissue androgens were measured using radioimmunoassay. Results. Epithelial nuclei androgen receptor immunostaining in recurrent prostate cancer (mean optical density, 0.284 ± SD 0.115 and percentage positive nuclei, 83.7 ± 11.6) was similar to benign prostate (mean optical density, 0.315 ± 0.044 and percentage positive nuclei, 77.3 ± 13.0). Tissue levels of testosterone were similar in recurrent prostate cancer (2.78 ± 2.34 pmol/g tissue) and benign prostate (3.26 ± 2.66 pmol/g tissue). Tissue levels of dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and androstenedione were lower (Wilcoxon, P = 0.0000068, 0.00093, and 0.0089, respectively) in recurrent prostate cancer than in benign prostate, and mean dihydrotestosterone levels, although reduced, remained 1.45 nm. Androgen receptor activation in recurrent prostate cancer was suggested by the androgen-regulated gene product, prostate-specific antigen, at 8.80 ± 10.80 nmol/g tissue. Conclusions. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone occur in recurrent prostate cancer tissue at levels sufficient to activate androgen receptor. Novel therapies for recurrent prostate cancer should target androgen receptor directly and prevent the formation of androgens within prostate cancer tissue.

Updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer include further refinements in taking a family history, new recommendations for germline and somatic testing, use of androgen receptor blockers for nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, advice regarding intermittent versus continuous androgen deprivation therapy, and consideration of whether to treat the primary tumor in men diagnosed with de novo metastatic prostate cancer.