Mailing address:
9444 Medical Center Drive, MC 7897
La Jolla, CA 92037
Business/Practice address:
9400 Campus Point Drive, MC 7897
La Jolla, CA 92037
RESEARCH
Research
Research is a focal point of academic medicine. We have the opportunity, privilege, and responsibility to question the status quo, push the field forward, and provide the best possible outcomes. I am most passionate about offering options to my patients, and my research team shares this passion. You may see them during your visit regarding the various clinical trials we have to share with you. Dr. Liss has been recognized with several awards but attributes much of his success to the fantastic research coordinators, collaborators, financial supporters, and patients.
Awards
Dr. Liss Wins Cancer Center Clinical Investigator of the Year
This award is only given to one researcher every year by the Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio. A significant honor and largely attributed to over 300 patients enrolled in clinical studies through our team at that time. Dr. Liss plans to continue to offer cutting edge clinical research in San Diego.
Dr. Liss is awarded National Cancer Center Team Leadership Award
This award is presented to researchers at National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. Dr. Liss if involved in new prostate cancer treatments but also leads our SWOG (formerly Southwest Research Oncology Group) efforts at the cancer center.
The UT Health San Antonio Presidential Junior Research Scholar Award is presented to a junior researcher that has accomplished significant clinical and/or basic science research within 5 years of being at the institutions. The award is prestigious and validates the work the our team has been performing here in San Antonio.
Dr. Liss is awarded European Urology Clinical Manuscript of the Year
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This award is presented for the best clinical research paper in European Urology. European Urology is the #1 research journal in urology (Impact factor >17). The award was accepted in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2019 at the European Association of Urology Meeting. The manuscript is entitled Metabolic Biosynthesis Pathways Identified from Fecal Microbiome Associated with Prostate Cancer.
Dr. Liss is featured in FUTURE magazine
Current Research Studies
Microbiome and Prostate Cancer
Microbiome refers to the bacteria that live within us and may influence who will get cancer and how you respond to treatment. Our laboratory is focusing on several different microbiome research projects that focus on prostate cancer risk and treatment. I will display some of our research below, but all this science comes at a cost. Our team works tirelessly not only to provide the best experience for our patients but to collect samples and follow up with you regarding our protocols. In order to pay for regulatory approval, sample collection, processing, statistical review all costs money. We actively write grants to help but usually a large part of the getting projects started come from generous people who wish to provide support for our efforts.
We show that there are different types of bacteria that are more common in men who are diagnosed with cancer.
Then we look at what types of functions or processes the bacteria participate in making. We found that those bacteria associated with making natural B vitamins are helpful. This does not mean that taking more B vitamins will work. The B vitamins need to be naturally produced by the bacteria inside the gut. This research sets the stage for using diet and probiotics to alter your bacteria to potentially reduce risk of diseases.
Here we show that our microbiome score performed better than PSA in men undergoing a prostate biopsy. This is only the first step in the research to utilize this information to alter disease.
IMAGINED Trial
The IMAGINED trial seeks to answer the question: Can we create an accurate imaging biomarker that can predict cancer and its aggressiveness? Our goal is to determine, before a biopsy, who needs the procedure and which location would be the most accurate for diagnosis. We will use Restriction Spectrum Imaging (RSI) combined with standard MRI to enhance cancer detection.
GUIDE Study
Prostate Cancer IMAGing IN Early Detection
Guided Surveillance Using Imaging and Dynamic Evaluation (GUIDE)
We are currently seeking funding to test our algorithm that can determine when an active surveillance biopsy is needed. Currently, men are required to undergo a biopsy in the first year and typically every 2-3 years thereafter. However, if we had an algorithm that could predict when progression would occur and then used biomarkers to indicate when to perform the biopsy, we could make active safe, practical, and individualized.
National Cancer Institute - Early Detection Research Network
Prostate MRI study - Reference Set
If you are scheduled for a biopsy and want to help with research but do not have the time to return for research visits, you can participate by providing your imaging and samples. We use the images and samples to improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer as part of a national team supported by the National Cancer Institute.
LOS PADRES
LOngitudinal Study of Prostate cAncer Determinants of RESistance
In this research, we are identifying biomarkers to predict how men will respond to androgen deprivation therapy. When prostate cancer recurs, physicians typically start a testosterone-lowering agent. We would like to obtain blood samples from men at various times before and after their treatment. We are looking for something called circulating tumor cells that could survive and settle in the bones, lymph nodes, or other organs. If we can understand how these cells live (or die) in the, we can begin to target these cells specifically for each patient. The initial funding was provided by the Los Padres Foundation, supported by Dr. Jonny and Joni Reyna in San Antonio, Texas, whose fathers were affected by prostate cancer. We seek to continue this mission in San Diego, so if you or a loved one has metastatic prostate cancer, please help us continue this research with a monetary donation.
FoLATe Trial
FoLate, Androgen Deprivation, and Trimethoprim Trial
In this pilot window of opportunity trial, we will randomize men initiating hormone therapy to receive a low-dose antibiotic known asethoprim. This antibiotic inhibits folate, which appears to increase following the commencement of androgen deprivation therapy While folate is essential for normal cellular function, it also enables cancer cells to evade treatment; therefore, careful monitoring of this balance is crucial in a controlled experiment. One half of the participants will receive the drug, while the other half will not, allowing us to assess safety. The efficacy of this approach remains uncertain, which is why it is being investigated in a clinical trial.
Microbiome Studies
Microbiome and Prostate cancer
We are enrollment men at every state of prostate cancer from PSA elevation, prior to surgery, through advanced treatement. We have discovered that certain microbes may improve or hinder the immune system or affect DNA damage and repair. Our preliminary research could be used to developme new biomarkers and treatement for prostate cancer. You may be asked to provide a rectal swab or stool sample for us to analyze the bacteria that live in the gut. We do this for the urine and sputum as well.
Meet The Clinical Research Team
Dr. Liss has moved to UC San Diego and looking for amazing research coordinators.
Now Hiring
Research Coordinator
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Now Hiring
Research Coordinator
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Now Hiring
Research Coordinator
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