Andrew Vickers

Last updated

Andrew Julian Vickers
Born (1967-02-11) 11 February 1967 (age 57)
Alma mater University of Cambridge, University of Oxford
Scientific career
Fields Oncology, alternative medicine, biostatistics
Institutions Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Thesis Homeopathy and clinical trials  (1999)

Andrew Julian Vickers (born 11 February 1967) [1] [2] is a biostatistician and attending research methodologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Since 2013, he has also been professor of public health at Weill Cornell Medical College. [3] He is the statistical editor for the peer-reviewed journal European Urology . [4]

Contents

Education and career

Vickers received his B.A. from the University of Cambridge in 1989 and his D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in 1999. [5] He joined Memorial Sloan Kettering in 1999 as an assistant attending research methodologist, before being appointed an associate attending research methodologist there in 2006 and an attending research methodologist in 2012. [5]

Research

Vickers is known for his research into prostate cancer screening. [6] In 2011, he published a study which found that PSA velocity—the change in the blood level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)--was not a more accurate predictor of prostate cancer than comparing PSA levels to a specific threshold. [7] He was responsible for designing the algorithm [8] that is used in the commercial "4Kscore" test [9] for men with elevated PSA. With colleague Hans Lilja, Vickers published a series of studies demonstrating that a single PSA at age 45 - 60 is an extremely strong predictor of the long-term risk of prostate cancer mortality. [10] [11] [12] Vickers is separately known for his methodological research on prediction modeling - he developed the statistical method known as "decision curve analysis" [13] [14] - and empirical research into several forms of alternative medicine, particularly acupuncture. [15] Vickers was the lead author of a 2012 meta-analysis of 29 acupuncture trials published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. [16] Vickers told Reuters that this meta-analysis "provides evidence that [patients with pain] would be justified in considering acupuncture." [17] Vickers leads the "Amplio" surgical quality assurance initiative at Memorial Sloan Kettering [18] and is Director of the "Web Survey" health informatics core facility. [19]

Personal life

Vickers is a competitive runner [20] and plays ultimate frisbee. [21] He has a daughter and two sons. [22] [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostate cancer</span> Male reproductive organ cancer

Prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of prostate tissue is usually detected through screening tests, typically blood tests that check for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Those with high levels of PSA in their blood are at increased risk for developing prostate cancer. Diagnosis requires a biopsy of the prostate. If cancer is present, the pathologist assigns a Gleason score, and a higher score represents a more dangerous tumor. Medical imaging is performed to look for cancer that has spread outside the prostate. Based on the Gleason score, PSA levels, and imaging results, a cancer case is assigned a stage 1 to 4. A higher stage signifies a more advanced, more dangerous disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostate-specific antigen</span> Mammalian protein found in humans

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), also known as gamma-seminoprotein or kallikrein-3 (KLK3), P-30 antigen, is a glycoprotein enzyme encoded in humans by the KLK3 gene. PSA is a member of the kallikrein-related peptidase family and is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland in men and the paraurethral glands in women.

Samuel Ray Denmeade is a Professor of Oncology, Urology and pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Over 10 of his published papers have each been cited over 100 times.

Semenogelase is an enzyme. This enzyme catalyses the following chemical reaction

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostate biopsy</span> Medical test

Prostate biopsy is a procedure in which small hollow needle-core samples are removed from a man's prostate gland to be examined for the presence of prostate cancer. It is typically performed when the result from a PSA blood test is high. It may also be considered advisable after a digital rectal exam (DRE) finds possible abnormality. PSA screening is controversial as PSA may become elevated due to non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), by infection, or by manipulation of the prostate during surgery or catheterization. Additionally many prostate cancers detected by screening develop so slowly that they would not cause problems during a man's lifetime, making the complications due to treatment unnecessary.

Overdiagnosis is the diagnosis of disease that will never cause symptoms or death during a patient's ordinarily expected lifetime and thus presents no practical threat regardless of being pathologic. Overdiagnosis is a side effect of screening for early forms of disease. Although screening saves lives in some cases, in others it may turn people into patients unnecessarily and may lead to treatments that do no good and perhaps do harm. Given the tremendous variability that is normal in biology, it is inherent that the more one screens, the more incidental findings will generally be found. For a large percentage of them, the most appropriate medical response is to recognize them as something that does not require intervention; but determining which action a particular finding warrants can be very difficult, whether because the differential diagnosis is uncertain or because the risk ratio is uncertain.

Prostate cancer screening is the screening process used to detect undiagnosed prostate cancer in men without signs or symptoms. When abnormal prostate tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat and cure, but it is unclear if early detection reduces mortality rates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLK2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Kallikrein-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KLK2 gene, and is particularly associated with prostatic tissue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semenogelin I</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Semenogelin-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SEMG1 gene. The protein encoded by this gene is the predominant protein in semen. The encoded secreted protein is involved in the formation of a gel matrix that encases ejaculated spermatozoa. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protease processes this protein into smaller peptides, with each possibly having a separate function. The proteolysis process breaks down the gel matrix and allows the spermatozoa to move more freely. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEMG2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Semenogelin-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SEMG2 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLK15</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Kallikrein-15 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KLK15 gene.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) refer to a group of clinical symptoms involving the bladder, urinary sphincter, urethra and, in men, the prostate. The term is more commonly applied to men – over 40% of older men are affected – but lower urinary tract symptoms also affect women. The condition is also termed prostatism in men, but LUTS is preferred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PCA3</span> Non-coding RNA in the species Homo sapiens

Prostate cancer antigen 3 is a gene that expresses a non-coding RNA. PCA3 is only expressed in human prostate tissue, and the gene is highly overexpressed in prostate cancer. Because of its restricted expression profile, the PCA3 RNA is useful as a tumor marker.

Douglas S. Scherr is an American surgeon and specialist in Urologic Oncology. He is currently the Clinical Director of Urologic Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine. He also holds an appointment at the Rockefeller University as a Visiting Associate Physician. Scherr was the first physician at Cornell to perform a robotic prostatectomy as well as a robotic cystectomy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cancer screening</span> Method to detect cancer

The objective of cancer screening is to detect cancer before symptoms appear, involving various methods such as blood tests, urine tests, DNA tests, and medical imaging. The purpose of screening is early cancer detection, to make the cancer easier to treat and extending life expectancy. In 2019, cancer was the second leading cause of death globally; more recent data is pending due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

James L. Gulley is an American cancer researcher and the Director of the Medical Oncology Service at National Cancer Institute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Sawyers</span> American physician-scientist (born 1959)

Charles L. Sawyers is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator who holds the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Chair of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). HOPP is a program created in 2006 that comprises researchers from many disciplines to bridge clinical and laboratory discoveries.

Active surveillance is a management option for localized prostate cancer that can be offered to appropriate patients who would also be candidates for aggressive local therapies, with the intent to intervene if the disease progresses. Active surveillance should not be confused with watchful waiting, another observational strategy for men that would not be candidates for curative therapy because of a limited life expectancy.

PROSTVAC is a cancer immunotherapy candidate in clinical development by Bavarian Nordic for the treatment of all prostate cancer although clinical trials are focusing on more advanced cases of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). PROSTVAC is a vaccine designed to enable the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells by triggering a specific and targeted T cell immune response to cancer cells that express the tumor-associated antigen prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Kevin M. Slawin is an American physician and the founder of Bellicum Pharmaceuticals and the Vanguard Urologic Institute at Memorial Hermann Medical Group. He was also the Director of Urology at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Slawin specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of urologic cancers and robotic surgery. He is also possesses patents related to the advancement of prostate cancer diagnosis, staging and treatment and to the cellular immunotherapy of cancer.

References

  1. ↑ "Reference Entry". Who's Who. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Andrew Vickers". Library of Congress Name Authority File. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "News and Highlights". Weill Cornell Medical College. July 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Andrew Vickers". European Urology website. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Andrew J. Vickers CV" (PDF). Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Rise in PSA protein 'not prostate cancer sign'". BBC News. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Vickers, A. J.; Till, C.; Tangen, C. M.; Lilja, H.; Thompson, I. M. (24 February 2011). "An Empirical Evaluation of Guidelines on Prostate-specific Antigen Velocity in Prostate Cancer Detection". JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 103 (6): 462–469. doi:10.1093/jnci/djr028. PMC   3057983 . PMID   21350221.
  8. ↑ Bryant, Richard J.; Sjoberg, Daniel D.; Vickers, Andrew J.; Robinson, Mary C.; Kumar, Rajeev; Marsden, Luke; Davis, Michael; Scardino, Peter T.; Donovan, Jenny; Neal, David E.; Lilja, Hans (2015). "Predicting high-grade cancer at ten-core prostate biopsy using four kallikrein markers measured in blood in the ProtecT study". Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 107 (7). doi:10.1093/jnci/djv095. ISSN   1460-2105. PMC   4554254 . PMID   25863334.
  9. ↑ "Elevated PSA? 4Kscore Test helps in prostate cancer biopsy decision making". 4Kscore Test. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  10. ↑ Vickers, Andrew J.; Cronin, Angel M.; Björk, Thomas; Manjer, Jonas; Nilsson, Peter M.; Dahlin, Anders; Bjartell, Anders; Scardino, Peter T.; Ulmert, David; Lilja, Hans (14 September 2010). "Prostate specific antigen concentration at age 60 and death or metastasis from prostate cancer: case-control study". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 341: c4521. doi:10.1136/bmj.c4521. ISSN   1756-1833. PMC   2939950 . PMID   20843935.
  11. ↑ Vickers, Andrew J.; Ulmert, David; Sjoberg, Daniel D.; Bennette, Caroline J.; Björk, Thomas; Gerdtsson, Axel; Manjer, Jonas; Nilsson, Peter M.; Dahlin, Anders; Bjartell, Anders; Scardino, Peter T. (15 April 2013). "Strategy for detection of prostate cancer based on relation between prostate specific antigen at age 40-55 and long term risk of metastasis: case-control study". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 346: f2023. doi:10.1136/bmj.f2023. ISSN   1756-1833. PMC   3933251 . PMID   23596126.
  12. ↑ Carlsson, Sigrid; Assel, Melissa; Sjoberg, Daniel; Ulmert, David; Hugosson, Jonas; Lilja, Hans; Vickers, Andrew (28 March 2014). "Influence of blood prostate specific antigen levels at age 60 on benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening: population based cohort study". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 348: g2296. doi:10.1136/bmj.g2296. ISSN   1756-1833. PMC   3968958 . PMID   24682399.
  13. ↑ Vickers, Andrew J.; Elkin, Elena B. (2006). "Decision curve analysis: a novel method for evaluating prediction models". Medical Decision Making. 26 (6): 565–574. doi:10.1177/0272989X06295361. ISSN   0272-989X. PMC   2577036 . PMID   17099194.
  14. ↑ "Decision Curve Analysis". Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  15. ↑ Press Association (15 March 2004). "Needle in a headache". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  16. ↑ Vickers, AJ; Cronin, AM; Maschino, AC; Lewith, G; MacPherson, H; Foster, NE; Sherman, KJ; Witt, CM; Linde, K; Acupuncture Trialists', Collaboration (22 October 2012). "Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis". Archives of Internal Medicine. 172 (19): 1444–53. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3654. PMC   3658605 . PMID   22965186.
  17. ↑ "Acupuncture has limited benefit for chronic pain". Chicago Tribune. Reuters. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "Should Surgeons Keep Score? – Backchannel". Medium. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "Andrew Vickers". Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  20. ↑ Aschwanden, Christie (30 October 2014). "Introducing Slate's Marathon Time Predictor". Slate. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "What is a p-value anyway? 34 Stories to Help You Actually Understand Statistics". www.pearson.com. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  22. ↑ Henning, Justine (21 April 2017). "Science is why my cancer diagnosis isn't a death sentence. Today I march for science". Vox. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  23. ↑ Somers, James (12 December 2014). "Should Surgeons Keep Score?". WIRED. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
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