Department of Urology Research

Overview

Mass General Brigham is nationally known leader in investigating and treating various urological diseases. While there are a variety of traditional treatment options, our physicians also explore alternative, investigational treatments, through a wide range of clinical trial options. These investigations include:

• Laboratory studies using genomic and biochemical approaches to investigate molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer development and progression. Read more about these research efforts at the Jia Lab.
• Advancing urologic cases through computation and functional genomics, such as deciphering mechanisms of response and resistance to therapy and establishing new models to define gene function and cell phenotypes. Learn more about these research efforts at the Carvalho Lab.
• Patient-reported outcome studies evaluate short-term surgical results and their ability to translate into long-term care. Utilizing questionnaires and surveys administered in clinic, physicians are able to better understand the long term results of different treatment options.
• Through a collaborative biobank with Pathology, we study genetic and molecular markers of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers to improve diagnosis, risk stratification, and outcomes. Learn more about these research efforts in the Wu Urology Research Lab.
• Clinical trials assessing existing, alternative, and investigational therapies.

Research focus areas

Our department is currently engaged in a variety of studies that further our research endeavors, provide solid academic traction, address previously unmet research niches, and most importantly provide alternative therapies for current patients. Our investigators also explore inequities in access, outcomes, and patterns of prostate cancer care and other urological diseases. Our research includes:

• Examining the effects of travel burden on receipt of prostate cancer care in historically marginalized populations
• Assessing disparities in use of high-tech imaging and genetic diagnostic tools among Black populations
• Evaluating the use of advanced diagnostic testing in rural vs. urban populations in order to inform future intervention