Anthony Zhang

Mr. Anthony Zhang

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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27 August 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BWBrandon Ward
Brandon Ward
AZAnthony Zhang
Anthony Zhang
MLMichael S Leapman
Michael S Leapman
JCJaime A. Cavallo
Jaime A. Cavallo
IKIsaac Kim
Isaac Kim
Background/Objectives: Early recovery of urinary continence and sexual function remains a key focus following radical prostatectomy. The transvesical single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-TV-RARP) approach is a novel technique with very limited evidence that has been suggested to preserve the Retzius space and allow extraperitoneal access through the bladder. We aimed to evaluate early functional and oncologic outcomes following SP-TV-RARP at a single academic institution. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients who underwent SP-TV-RARP by a single surgeon between September 2024 and May 2025. Continence is defined as being pad-free, and return of erectile function is defined as having erections sufficient for penetration. Functional and oncologic outcomes were assessed using clinical follow-up documentation and analyzed with Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: The median patient age was 65 years, and 52.4% had pT3 disease. Positive surgical margins were observed in 62% overall and 30% in men with organ-confined disease. No intraoperative or 30-day postoperative complications occurred. Approximately 43% of patients achieved continence within one day of urethral catheter removal, with 75% of patients being pad-free at 3 months. Median SHIM and AUA-SS scores did not significantly decline at 3 months compared to baseline. The median time to recovery of erectile function was 69 days, and 67% recovered at the last follow-up. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 2 patients (15.4%) within 6 months. Conclusions: SP-TV-RARP appears safe and may facilitate early return of urinary continence and erectile function. Although inferior oncologic outcome is a potential concern during early adoption, functional outcomes were favorable. Further prospective evaluation is warranted to confirm long-term oncologic efficacy.

25 October 2025 in European Urology Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AZAnthony Zhang
Anthony Zhang
NSNethusan Sivanesan
Nethusan Sivanesan
PSPreston C. Sprenkle
Preston C. Sprenkle

3 November 2026 in JMIR Research Protocols
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AZAnthony Zhang
Anthony Zhang
MSMark N Stein
Mark N Stein
SGSaum Ghodoussipour
Saum Ghodoussipour
IKIsaac Kim
Isaac Kim
Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is an accepted, definitive treatment for appropriately selected men with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa). However, neoadjuvant androgen receptor inhibition prior to RP is not currently the standard of care. Wide resection of the neurovascular bundles may improve local oncologic control but can adversely affect postoperative erectile function and urinary continence. Apalutamide directly inhibits the androgen receptor, while abiraterone acetate inhibits cytochrome P450 17A1–mediated androgen synthesis and is often administered with prednisone. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists further suppress testicular androgen production. Intensified androgen pathway inhibition prior to surgery may therefore downstage localized disease and facilitate bilateral nerve-sparing RP. Objective: This study was defined to evaluate whether 3 months of neoadjuvant apalutamide-based therapy before RP improves postoperative potency recovery by 12 months compared with immediate RP in men with high-risk localized PCa. Secondary objectives include evaluation of postoperative continence, pathological outcomes, biochemical recurrence, perioperative outcomes, and quality of life (QoL). Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized phase 2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02949284). Eligible patients with high-risk PCa were randomized 1:1:1 to (1) apalutamide 240 mg daily for 3 months followed by RP, (2) apalutamide 240 mg daily with abiraterone acetate 1000 mg plus prednisone 10 mg daily and a GnRH agonist for 3 months followed by RP, or (3) immediate RP without neoadjuvant therapy. The primary end point is potency recovery by 12 months postoperatively, defined as the ability to penetrate in sexual intercourse in more than half of attempts. Secondary end points include continence recovery, pathological response, positive surgical margins, biochemical recurrence, perioperative outcomes, and QoL. The primary comparisons evaluate each experimental arm against the surgery-only arm. Pairwise comparisons of the primary end point will use 1-sided Fisher exact tests with a Bonferroni adjustment. Additional continuous and categorical outcomes will be analyzed using appropriate nonparametric or categorical tests, and biochemical recurrence-free survival will be assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: As of March 2026, patient enrollment has been completed. A total of 96 patients provided consent and were screened, 88 were randomized, and 73 received the assigned treatment and were included in the final analysis cohort. Study accrual began on June 20, 2017, and enrollment was completed in June 2024. The prespecified postoperative follow-up period extended beyond 24 months, with a study data cutoff date of June 30, 2025. Data collection for the primary and secondary outcomes has been completed, with final expected results anticipated in January 2027. Conclusions: This randomized phase 2 trial was designed to assess whether short-term androgen pathway inhibition can improve postoperative functional outcomes while maintaining oncologic outcomes in men undergoing nerve-sparing RP for high-risk localized PCa.