Shota Iijima

Dr. Shota Iijima


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 January 2024 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RORyo Oka
Ryo Oka
TUTakanobu Utsumi
Takanobu Utsumi
TNTakahide Noro
Takahide Noro
YSYuta Suzuki
Yuta Suzuki
SIShota Iijima
Shota Iijima
HSHiroyoshi Suzuki
Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Prostate cancer (PCa) exhibits a spectrum of heterogeneity, from indolent to highly aggressive forms, with approximately 10–20% of patients experiencing metastatic PCa. Oligometastatic PCa, characterized by a limited number of metastatic lesions in specific anatomical locations, has gained attention due to advanced imaging modalities. Although patients with metastatic PCa typically receive systemic therapy, personalized treatment approaches for oligometastatic PCa are emerging, including surgical and radiotherapeutic interventions. This comprehensive review explores the latest developments in the field of oligometastatic PCa, including its biological mechanisms, advanced imaging techniques, and relevant clinical studies. Oligometastatic PCa is distinct from widespread metastases and presents challenges in patient classification. Imaging plays a crucial role in identifying and characterizing oligometastatic lesions, with new techniques such as prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography demonstrating a remarkable efficacy. The management strategies encompass cytoreductive surgery, radiotherapy targeting the primary tumor, and metastasis-directed therapy for recurrent lesions. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the effectiveness of these approaches. Oligometastatic PCa occupies a unique position between locally advanced and high-volume metastatic diseases. While a universally accepted definition and standardized diagnostic criteria are still evolving, emerging imaging technologies and therapeutic strategies hold promise for improving the patient outcomes in this intermediate stage of PCa.

26 April 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YSYuka Sugizaki
Yuka Sugizaki
TUTakanobu Utsumi
Takanobu Utsumi
NINaoki Ishitsuka
Naoki Ishitsuka
TNTakahide Noro
Takahide Noro
YSYuta Suzuki
Yuta Suzuki
HSHiroyoshi Suzuki
Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Background/Objectives: Acute obstructive pyelonephritis caused by ureteral calculi is a severe urological emergency that can rapidly progress to life-threatening complications, including urosepsis. Early risk stratification is critical for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. Although Hu’s nomogram has been proposed as a predictive tool for urosepsis, its external validation remains limited. This study aims to validate Hu’s nomogram in an independent cohort and identify novel clinical and imaging predictors of urosepsis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 341 patients diagnosed with ureteral calculi who underwent surgical intervention at a single institution between January 2019 and October 2023. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of urosepsis. The predictive accuracy of Hu’s nomogram was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Among 341 patients, 66 (19.4%) developed urosepsis. Multivariate analysis identified female gender, corticosteroid use, lower platelet count, elevated C-reactive protein levels, positive urine white blood cell count, lower computed tomography attenuation values of calculi, and higher computed tomography attenuation values of hydronephrosis as independent predictors of urosepsis. Hu’s nomogram demonstrated a strong predictive performance (area under the curve: 0.761; 95% CI: 0.701–0.821), reaffirming its clinical utility for risk stratification. Conclusions: This study provides an external validation of Hu’s nomogram and identifies novel risk factors for urosepsis prediction, including corticosteroid use and imaging-based parameters. Incorporating these findings into clinical practice may enhance early risk stratification, facilitate timely interventions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

11 December 2025 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TSTakatoshi Somoto
Takatoshi Somoto
TUTakanobu Utsumi
Takanobu Utsumi
RIRino Ikeda
Rino Ikeda
NINaoki Ishitsuka
Naoki Ishitsuka
TNTakahide Noro
Takahide Noro
HSHiroyoshi Suzuki
Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Hereditary predisposition substantially shapes prevention and management across urologic oncology. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary, practice-oriented guidance on whom to test, what to test, how to act on results, and how to implement care equitably for hereditary forms of prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), urothelial carcinoma, pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL), and adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). We delineate between forms of indication-driven germline testing (e.g., universal testing in metastatic prostate cancer; early-onset, bilateral/multifocal, or syndromic RCC; reflex tumor mismatch repair (MMR)/microsatellite instability (MSI) screening in upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC); universal testing in PPGL; universal TP53 testing in ACC) and pair these strategies with minimum actionable gene sets and syndrome-specific surveillance frameworks. Key points include targeted prostate-specific antigen screening in BRCA2 carriers and the impact of BRCA/ATM variants on reclassification during active surveillance; major hereditary RCC syndromes with genotype-tailored surveillance and pathway-directed therapy (e.g., HIF-2α inhibition for von Hippel–Lindau disease); UTUC/bladder cancer in Lynch syndrome with tumor MMR/MSI screening, annual urinalysis (selective cytology), and immunotherapy opportunities in deficient MMR disease/MSI-H; PPGL management emphasizing universal germline testing, intensified surveillance for SDHB, cortical-sparing adrenalectomy, and emerging HIF-2α inhibition; and ACC care modified by Li–Fraumeni syndrome (minimization of radiation/genotoxic therapy with whole-body imaging surveillance). Testicular germ cell tumor remains largely polygenic, with no routine germline testing in typical presentations. Finally, we provide pre-/post-test genetic-counseling checklists and mainstreamed workflows with equity metrics to operationalize precision care and close real-world access gaps.

18 October 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TSTakatoshi Somoto
Takatoshi Somoto
TUTakanobu Utsumi
Takanobu Utsumi
RIRino Ikeda
Rino Ikeda
NINaoki Ishitsuka
Naoki Ishitsuka
TNTakahide Noro
Takahide Noro
HSHiroyoshi Suzuki
Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Background/Objectives: The therapeutic landscape of advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) has shifted from platinum chemotherapy to precision immuno-oncology. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and avelumab—show efficacy across platinum-refractory, maintenance, and adjuvant settings, yet benefit is limited to subsets, underscoring the need for biomarkers. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), notably enfortumab vedotin(EV), and targeted agents such as FGFR inhibitors further expand options. This review synthesizes current evidence and emerging paradigms to guide combinations and sequencing. Methods: We performed a narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed trials (emphasizing pivotal phase III studies), key translational investigations, and contemporary guidelines on ICIs, ADCs, HER2-directed therapies, FGFR inhibitors, molecular subtyping, and genomic profiling in UC, integrating efficacy signals, biomarker associations, and practical implications for sequencing. Results: ICIs now occupy multiple settings, but heterogeneous benefit highlights the importance of molecularly informed selection. EV alone and with pembrolizumab has produced unprecedented first-line activity, prompting a strategic shift. Molecular subtyping and genomic profiling delineate phenotypes with variable immune responsiveness and targetable vulnerabilities, enabling rational combinations and refined sequencing. Ongoing trials are evaluating next-generation ADCs, HER2-directed approaches, and dual checkpoint blockade to achieve durable, personalized disease control. Conclusions: Management of locally advanced or metastatic UC is converging on precision immuno-oncology, wherein biomarker-driven selection, molecular subtyping, and thoughtful sequencing of ICIs, ADCs, and targeted agents are central to optimizing outcomes. Active trials and translational advances are expected to refine personalized strategies and embed molecular guidance into routine care.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YSYuka Sugizaki
Yuka Sugizaki
TUTakanobu Utsumi
Takanobu Utsumi
RIRino Ikeda
Rino Ikeda
NINaoki Ishitsuka
Naoki Ishitsuka
TNTakahide Noro
Takahide Noro
HSHiroyoshi Suzuki
Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Background/Objectives: The attainment of a stone-free (SF) condition is a fundamental indicator of successful outcomes after flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) for urinary stone disease. External confirmations of preoperative scores remain limited. We externally validated the T.O.HO. and S.T.O.N.E. scores in an independent Japanese cohort and examined calibration, decision curve utility, and threshold-guided use to support personalized planning. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 361 consecutive patients treated with fURS from March 2018 to August 2023. Postoperative SF status was defined as the absence of residual calculi greater than 2 mm on non-contrast computed tomography performed within three months of surgery. Independent determinants of SF were identified using multivariable logistic regression, predictive performance was quantified by receiver operating characteristic analyses with DeLong’s test, and model calibration and decision curve analysis were additionally assessed. Results: Among the 361 patients, 255 (70.6%) achieved an SF state. A larger stone diameter, the presence of lower-pole calculi, and preoperative pyuria (positive urine WBC) were significant independent predictors of residual fragments. T.O.HO. demonstrated superior discrimination (AUC 0.86) compared with S.T.O.N.E. (AUC 0.77; p < 0.01) and surpassed individual predictors. Both scores showed acceptable calibration. Decision curve analysis demonstrated higher net benefit for T.O.HO. across clinically relevant thresholds. We provide clinically useful cut-offs (e.g., T.O.HO. ≤5: high SF probability; 6: trade-off discussion; ≥7: higher residual risk) to align actions with patient priorities. Conclusions: Beyond discrimination, a calibrated, threshold-aware use of T.O.HO. enables personalized preoperative counseling and shared decision-making, potentially reducing unnecessary staging and enhancing routine fURS planning.

17 February 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TNTakahide Noro
Takahide Noro
TUTakanobu Utsumi
Takanobu Utsumi
RIRino Ikeda
Rino Ikeda
NINaoki Ishitsuka
Naoki Ishitsuka
YSYuta Suzuki
Yuta Suzuki
HSHiroyoshi Suzuki
Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Taxane chemotherapy remains a durable backbone in advanced prostate cancer, but its clinical value is increasingly determined by timing, sequencing, and deliverability. We synthesize pivotal randomized trials and contemporary guidance to provide a chemotherapy-forward framework spanning metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). In mCSPC, early docetaxel added to androgen deprivation therapy—often as part of triplet intensification with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI)—offers the greatest absolute benefit in fit patients with high disease burden or aggressive clinical tempo. In mCRPC, docetaxel remains foundational, while cabazitaxel is preferred over ARPI switching after prior docetaxel and one ARPI, supporting mechanism-based sequencing. Practical implementation requires proactive toxicity prevention (especially neutropenia), dose and schedule individualization, and preservation of functional status to maintain eligibility for subsequent life-prolonging therapies. Immunotherapy has a limited but important niche: sipuleucel-T may benefit selected patients with low symptom burden, whereas immune checkpoint inhibitors are best reserved for biomarker-defined subsets such as microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient tumors; tumor mutational burden should be interpreted cautiously in prostate cancer. Ongoing trials and emerging antigen-directed platforms will clarify whether chemotherapy can act as an immune-enabling partner in defined settings.