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Dr. Alexandra Sokolova: Informative Research Updates & Insight

Dr. Alexandra Sokolova Headshot

Research is a fundamental influence in advancing the narrative to ZERO Out Prostate Cancer. 

ZERO recently welcomed Dr. Alexandra Sokolova to present a webinar from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) Annual Meeting, which provided updates on prostate cancer research, treatment findings, and emerging early cancer detection technology. Dr. Sokolova is a skilled researcher who currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and the Deputy Director at Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU) Knight Cancer Institute.

Impactful and Meaningful Work in a Patient-Friendly Way

In an effort to spread awareness and promote earlier detection, it’s important to understand Prostate Cancer through various lenses. Research is one of the critical components, and Jeremy Patch, ZERO’s Director of Patient, Programs & Education did a great job moderating and introducing one of Research’s biggest advocates, Dr. Alexandria Sokolova, whose patient-friendly style throughout the course of the webinar made for consistent audience engagement. 

She began her updates and the evaluation of studies results, making use of statistics. Sokolova explained that there are two goals in research—to prolong life and improve the quality of one’s life. According to her, a part of the discussions for metastatic treatment of cancer involves inquiry, and responses to said inquiry are generally represented via statistical graphs. These graphs were easy to understand and Dr. Sokolova’s explanations were well received.

 

Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Prostate Cancer graphs

The Kind of Clarity That Doctors, Men and Caregivers Need to Make Informed Decisions

Prostate cancer’s background was addressed in great detail, and viewers were impressed with how well the stages of this disease were explained. From localized or self-contained to metastatic forms of the disease, Dr. Sokolova kept with her promise, explaining each stage as though she were speaking with a family member or a neighbor. Every study discussed, combined with the speaker’s ability to engage viewers, helped to equip attendees with characteristics to consider when making use of combination therapies such as the disease stage, time period of disease progression, and a patient’s fitness for these presented combinations of treatments.

 

When a Wealth of Information is Engaging, It Brings About Questioning

Prostate Cancer Background Localization

Perceptive questions and commentary took place closer to the end of the webinar, with questions asked from audience members, such as, “What mutations, besides BRCA1 and BRCA2 are on the list for further investigation for Prostate Cancer?”, or, “What milestone must be met to get the latest…in LU177 treatment?”. For more context, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes, meaning when they function normally their job is to keep tumors from forming; however, men who have a BRCA mutation have an increased risk of cancer of the breast, prostate, and pancreas. LU177 treatment is only used on men who suffer from cancer that began in the prostate and who have tried all other treatments. Dr. Alexandra Sokolova made sure to respond in detail to each question asked. She shared that the FDA had approved Pluvicto, a treatment for men with the most advanced stage of disease, which was approved just over a month before this Webinar and should soonbe available for patients across the country. Through partnership and collaboration amongst researchers, clinicians and other positive contributors, this research is going to transform and change lives, which has always been ZERO’s aim.

Check out the full webinar on our Facebook here.


To find out more about how to participate in research initiatives, visit our page on participation.

To learn more about the American Society of Clinical Oncology, visit their website at asco.org.

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