Sensuke Sato, Ph.D. '91

Associate Professor, UrologyDirector of Urology Research , Urology School of Medicine
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Sensuke Sato, Ph.D.'s research initially focused on finding reliable and specific markers for prostate cancer. Dr. Sato found two potential markers (cathepsin D and glyoxalase I) and such work has been well received and published. His focus was then shifted to the therapeutic modalities for urological cancers. Due to the unsatisfactory outcomes of current therapies, he explored unconventional approaches using natural products, such as fruits, plants, flowers, vegetables, mushrooms, etc. Particularly, Dr. Sato studied on the extract of maitake mushroom against prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer cells. These studies demonstrated its anticancer effect on these cancer cells and also its combination with certain chemotherapeutic drugs led to significantly improved drug efficacy.

Dr. Sato also worked on the prevention/treatment of kidney stones or renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI) with “antioxidants” because they could be primarily triggered by oxidative stress. A significant reduction (~70%) in chemically induced crystal formation in rats was observed with potent antioxidants. Similarly, postoperative RIRI induced in rats was also significantly reduced with preoperative antioxidant intervention.


While doing research, one of his important academic duties is to give guidance to urology residents to successfully complete the mandatory 3-month research rotation. He has been doing this basic science research since 1995 and is proud of what he has accomplished in the past 25 years. Dr. Sato is a member of the three professional societies, American Urological Association (AUA), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He also serves as a peer-reviewer for several scientific/medical journals as well as a moderator at the foremost meetings.

Education

  • Ph.D. '91, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College

Honors and Awards

  • Prize Winners in AUA
  • Valentine Essay Contests

Research

  • Urology

Publications

  • Konno S. "SX-fraction: Promise for novel treatment of type 2 diabetes." World journal of diabetes, 11(12), (2020) 572-583. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v11.i12.572
  • Patel NH, Uppaluri N, Iorga M, et. al. "Device Malfunctions and Complications Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Surgery: Review of the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database." Journal of endourology, 33(6), (2019) 448-454. doi: 10.1089/end.2019.0067
  • Bloom J, Patel N, Wagmaister J, et. al. "Prophylactic effect of ethyl pyruvate on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury mediated through oxidative stress." International urology and nephrology, 51(1), (2019) 85-92. doi: 10.1007/s11255-018-2020-9
  • Patel NH, Schulman AA, Bloom JB, et. al. "Device-Related Adverse Events During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Review of the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database." Journal of endourology, 31(10), (2017) 1007-1011. doi: 10.1089/end.2017.0343
  • Schulman A, Chaimowitz M, Choudhury M, et. al. "Antioxidant and Renoprotective Effects of Mushroom Extract: Implication in Prevention of Nephrolithiasis." Journal of clinical medicine research, 8(12), (2016) 908-915.
  • Konno S, Chu K, Feuer N, et. al. "Potent Anticancer Effects of Bioactive Mushroom Extracts (Phellinus linteus) on a Variety of Human Cancer Cells." Journal of clinical medicine research, 7(2), (2015) 76-82. doi: 10.14740/jocmr1996w
  • Degen M, Alexander B, Choudhury M, et. al. "Alternative therapeutic approach to renal-cell carcinoma: induction of apoptosis with combination of vitamin K3 and D-fraction." Journal of endourology, 27(12), (2013) 1499-503. doi: 10.1089/end.2013.0207
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Recent Presentations

(At the Valentine Urology Residents' Essay Meeting)

  1. Chemosensitization of carmustine with mushroom -glucan on human bladder cancer cells. (2018) Hillelsohn, J.*, Chaimowitz, M., Choudhury, M., Phillips, J. and Konno, S.
  2. Oxidative stress-mediated anticancer effect of mushroom extract on bladder cancer cells. (2018) Fox, C.*, Yau, R., Chaimowitz, M., Choudhury, M., Phillips, J. and Konno, S. Awarder “Third” Prize.
  3. Prophylactic effect of ethyl pyruvate on renal ischemic/reperfusion injury in rats. (2018) Yau, R.*, Bloom, J., Choudhury, M, Eshghi, M. and Konno, S. Awarded “First” Prize.
  4. Prevention of calcium oxalate stone formation with Poria mushroom extract with antioxidant activity. (2019) Patel, N.*, Wagmaister, J., Gopal, N., Choudhury, M., Eshghi, M. and Konno, S. Awarded “First” Prize.
  5. Potentiation of anticancer effect by combination of mushroom extract and grapeseed extract on human bladder cancer cells. (2021) Elyaguov, J.*, Dixon, A., Gopal, N., Choudhury, M. and Konno, S. Awarded “First” prize.

* Presenter (at the meeting)

Teaching Responsibilities

  • General Concepts of Urologic Cancers and Research in Urology

Languages

  • Japanese