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Clinical Trials
Research Studies - Urology at UCLA
The Department of Urology supports a number of major research programs.
Our purpose is to contribute significantly to diagnosis, prevention and treatment of urologic diseases including, but not limited to, cancers, renal transplantation, sexual dysfunction, and spina bifida.
Our goal is to increase basic research, population-based research and rapidly translate the findings into clinical trials and community applications. Basic scientific research is conducted in research labs based in clinical departments, through the Clark Urological Center, the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Oliveview Medical Center and Bowyer Surgical Oncology Center.
The UCLA Department of Urology is an integrated research community where collaboration and interaction are fostered and prized. Scientists at the various research centers collaborate extensively with their clinical colleagues to find scientific solutions to specific urological problems.
Unique and Renowned
What sets the UCLA Department of Urology apart from others nationwide is the close collaboration and partnership of our research scientists with our faculty members—internationally renowned physician specialists in their fields—on advancing the field of urology. This unique collaboration makes UCLA a leader in new treatments and cures for urology patients nationwide.
Examples of Past and Current Projects
| Project Name | Principle Investigator |
| Genetic Predisposition To Vaginal Prolapse | |
| In collaboration with Eric Vilain, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Human Genetics and Pediatrics at UCLA, Dr. Larissa Rodriguez is exploring genetic factors that predispose certain women to vaginal prolapse. | Larissa Rodríguez, MD |
| Physiology and Function Of The Genitourinary Tract And Vaginal Prolapse | |
| In collaboration with 1998 Nobel Laureate Louis J. Ignarro, Ph.D., Dr. Larissa Rodriguez is studying normal and abnormal physiology and function of the bladder, vaginal tissues and urethra, and how these change with age. The study is aimed at determining if estrogen levels lead to smooth muscle atrophy and decreased collagen deposition, leading to a loss of support of vaginal structures and normal vaginal physiology. | Larissa Rodríguez, MD |
| Polypropylene Sling For The Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence | |
| Dr. Shlomo Raz and Dr. Larissa Rodriguez evaluated the use of a thinly woven Prolene mesh under the mid to distal urethra to treat stress urinary incontinence. In a study of 98 patients, the mesh proved to be a simple, quick and effective method to correct stress urinary incontinence in women. | Shlomo Raz, MD |
| Prostate Cancer | |
| Study of normal and malignant prostate disease to determine how malignancies evolve | Robert E. Reiter, MD |
| Study of normal and malignant prostate disease to determine how malignancies evolve | Robert E. Reiter, MD |
| Low-Fat, High-Fiber Diets And Their Role In Prostate Cancer | William Aronson, MD |
| Research Studies in Urologic Oncology - Ongoing Research Studies | |
| Immunotherapy and gene therapy approaches for treating kidney and prostate cancer. | Arie Belldegrun, MD |
| Clinical, pathologic, and molecular markers that predict prostate cancer progression in Caucasian and African American men. | Arie Belldegrun, MD |
| Research Studies into Bladder Cancer - Ongoing Bladder Cancer Projects | |
| Bladder cancer biomarkers Identify bladder cancer biomarkers that may enable researchers to develop a test similar to the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test for prostate cancer | Arie Belldegrun, MD |
| Bladder cancer in smokers - Investigating the genetic basis of bladder cancer risk in smokers | Arie Belldegrun, MD |
| SPORE in Prostate Cancer - Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Prostate Cancer | |
| The purpose of the UCLA SPORE in Prostate Cancer is to contribute significantly to progress in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer. | Robert Reiter, MD, MBA |
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| Stem Cell Research For The Treatment of Incontinence and Vaginal Prolapse | |
| Dr. Larissa Rodriguez is conducting pioneering work in stem cell and tissue engineering research. Her current study involves the use of stem cells to form specific tissues and organs. In the near future, we hope to be able to use a patient's own stem cells to reconstruct the dysfunctional urethra to correct incontinence, as well as reinforce the weakening of tissues that results in vaginal prolapse in women. | Larissa Rodríguez, MD |
| The UCLA Integrated Staging System (UISS) | |
| Using its database of over 1,500 patients, UCLA faculty assess, stage and predict possible kidney cancer patients’ probability of survival, as well assign patients into low-, intermediate- or high-risk groups. The findings will enable physicians to customize the best treatments by prognosis. | Arie Belldegrun, MD |
