About

T. Tony Cai is the Daniel H. Silberberg Professor of Statistics and Data Science at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. His research interests encompass statistical machine learning, high-dimensional statistics, large-scale inference, functional data analysis, and statistical decision theory, with applications to genomics and financial econometrics. He has held his position at Wharton since 2000 and was named Dorothy Silberberg Professor in 2007. Professor Cai has received numerous professional awards and honors, including being elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2023, and serving as President-elect, President, and Past President of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics from 2023 to 2025. He has also been recognized with awards such as the Noether Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Statistical Association in 2023, the Laplace Lecturer of the Bernoulli Society in 2021, and the International Chinese Statistical Association Distinguished Achievement Award in 2019. His academic background includes a PhD from Cornell University obtained in 1996. Throughout his career, he has contributed significantly to the fields of statistics and data science through research, teaching, and leadership roles.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Intensive care medicine
• Medicine
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Dermatology
• Microbiology
• Algorithm
• General surgery
• Mathematical optimization

Selected publications

• Prostate health supporting by a novel nutraceutical compound with antioxidant property: Results from a pilot study

  Urologia Journal · 2026-01-05

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  In recent years, healthcare strategies have increasingly emphasized a holistic and comprehensive approach in patient management that extends beyond the treatment of isolated physical symptoms. In this context, the use of nutraceuticals has gained interest as a complementary approach, particularly in managing chronic conditions and age-related disorders, such as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). A new dietary supplement, contains a blend of bio-active compounds (Drolessano ® )—including lycopene, sulforaphane, silymarin, glutathione, escine, tryptophan, and green tea extract—has been introduced in Italian pharmacopeia as food supplements in urological and andrological diseases. Here, we aim to assess the effects of Drolessano ® on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and urinary symptoms in individuals with BPH. Fifty-five men presenting with elevated PSA values and mild lower urinary tract symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] < 7) were recruited in this pilot study. All enrolled patients underwent Drolessano ® one tablet daily for 6 months. PSA concentrations and IPSS scores were recorded at baseline (T0), at 3 months (T1), and at the end of the treatment period (T2). Data at the follow-up has been compared with those at baseline. Patients enrolled experienced a statistical significance average PSA declined from 4.8 to 3.7 ng/mL ( p < 0.003), as well as in improvement of quality of life, tested by patient reported outcomes. The supplement was generally well tolerated, and no serious adverse effects were reported during the study period. These preliminary data suggest that Drolessano ® may offer a supportive benefit in the management of BPH, particularly with respect to reducing PSA levels and improvement quality of life. Otherwise, controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to substantiate these findings and to better understand the underlying mechanisms of action.

  PublisherDOI

• Contrasting the roles of plastisphere and soil in shaping antibiotic resistome under flooding and co-pollution stress

  Journal of Hazardous Materials · 2026-03-21

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Letter to the Editor on “Prostate Biopsy and Malpractice: Analysis of a National Legal Database From 1995 to 2025”

  Urology · 2026-03-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• The Role of Nutraceuticals and Phytotherapy in Andrological Diseases: Tips and Tricks for Everyday Clinical Practice

  Uro · 2026-01-30

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background/Objectives: Interest in the use of nutraceuticals and phytotherapy for the management of andrological diseases has increased markedly in recent years. In particular, growing attention has been directed toward the treatment of patients affected by erectile dysfunction (ED), male infertility, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), and induratio penis plastica (IPP). However, several areas of uncertainty remain. This narrative review aims to examine the role of nutraceuticals and phytotherapeutic agents in the management of andrological disorders. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE to identify relevant studies published over the past 25 years. Only articles published in English and involving adult populations were included in the analysis. Results: Nutraceuticals and phytotherapeutic compounds have been extensively investigated in the current literature, and certain formulations—particularly specific combinations—have been evaluated in high-quality studies. Conversely, other compounds lack sufficient scientific evidence and therefore should not be recommended in routine clinical practice. In the management of ED, the following compounds, administered either alone or in combination, have demonstrated clinically significant effects: Panax ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, L-arginine, and Withania somnifera. L-carnitine, combined with micronutrients, antioxidants, and various traditional herbal supplements, appears to be an effective therapeutic option for male infertility and subfertility. Pollen extracts play an important role in the management of CP/CPPS, while carnitine, coenzyme Q10, silymarin, bromelain, and curcumin show promising potential in the treatment of IPP. Conclusions: Nutraceuticals and phytotherapeutic agents may provide favorable outcomes in the management of andrological diseases. Although current evidence is encouraging, larger prospective studies employing standardized protocols and treatment schedules are required to confirm long-term efficacy and to optimize therapeutic strategies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Liquid vs. solid: The superior choice of material in intracranial tumors preoperative embolization — A systematic review and meta-analysis

  Neurosurgical Review · 2025-10-14 · 1 citations

  reviewOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To compare the impacts of solid versus liquid​ embolization materials during preoperative embolization of intracranial tumors. METHODS: Relevant articles from January 1975 to September 2024 were included. Meta-analysis focused on average operation duration and estimated blood loss. Heterogeneity was also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 7 retrospective studies were included, in which a total of 361 patients met the criteria and were thus included. There were 220 female patients, accounting for 60.9%. The patients were divided into the liquid embolization group and the solid embolization group. We discovered that during the preoperative embolization of intracranial tumors, the selection of liquid versus solid materials did not significantly influence the estimated blood loss (MD = -98.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 290 ~ 93). Additionally, in terms of the impact on surgical operation duration, no significant statistical difference was observed between the two groups either (MD = 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 55 ~ 43). CONCLUSION: The current meta-analysis reveals that, in patients undergoing preoperative embolization of intracranial tumors, there is no significant statistical difference in operation duration and estimated blood loss in the surgical resection of intracranial tumors among different preoperative embolization materials during subsequent tumor resection procedures. ​Material selection should be individualized​ based on tumor characteristics and operator expertise.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Interventions for Suicide in Chinese Populations: A Systematic Review, Scoping Review, and Meta-analyses

  2025-09-26

  report
  PublisherDOI

• Identification of Risk Factors in Patients with Recurrent Cystitis May Improve Individualized Management

  Preprints.org · 2025-09-26

  preprintOpen access

  Background/Objectives: Management of acute episodes of lower urinary tract infections (LUTI) depends on whether they are sporadic or recurrent. We aimed to define factors that differentiate patients with acute sporadic cystitis (AC) from those with recurrent cystitis (RC) and thereby improve individualized management. Methods: We performed a post-hoc analysis of data from the prospective, multinational GPIU.COM-Study. Female patients with an acute episode of LUTI completed the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) and underwent routine clinical examination and urine testing (dipstick, culture, susceptibility). Risk factors for recurrence were evaluated using the Lower Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence Risk (LUTIRE) nomogram and the ORENUC classification. AC and RC were compared using a robust stepwise statistical approach. Significant variables were assessed by relative risk (RR), and logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR). Results: A total of 106 women were included (AC n=50; RC n=56). Patients with RC more frequently presented with constipation, multiple uropathogens, trace proteinuria, and a severe impact of symptoms on daily activities. Pyuria was inversely associated with RC. Logistic regression identified chronic constipation, severe impact of symptoms on daily activities and multiple uropathogens as independent predictors of RC. Three predictive models showed consistent discrimination, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86. Conclusions: AC and RC showed notable differences in certain symptom profiles, conditions, urinalysis and microbiological findings, with AC patients suggesting stronger innate immunity. Combining high-value predictors from LUTIRE and ORENUC into a comprehensive prognostic algorithm could improve recurrence risk assessment. A refined classification of LUTI with recurrence grading is warranted to guide decision-making and prevention strategies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Incisional Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Versus Standard Dressing for the Prevention of Surgical Site Complications Following Radical Cystectomy

  Journal of Personalized Medicine · 2025-11-30

  articleOpen access

  Background/Objectives: Radical cystectomy (RC) is a complex urologic procedure that, when performed using an open surgical approach, carries a high risk of surgical site complications (SSCs), which can lead to prolonged recovery, increased healthcare costs, and higher morbidity. Incisional negative-pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) has demonstrated benefits in enhancing wound healing in various surgical settings, but its effectiveness in the context of RC remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of iNPWT on the incidence of SSCs following RC compared to standard surgical dressings using the PICO® system. Methods: A cohort of 146 patients who underwent RC between 2015 and 2021 was divided into two groups: those treated with standard dressings (Group 1, n = 80) and those who received iNPWT (Group 2, n = 66). Patient-related, surgical, and pathological variables were compared between the groups. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, while continuous variables were assessed using Student’s t-test. Univariate logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the association between iNPWT use and 90-day SSCs, as well as to identify risk factors for complications. Results: Group 2 (iNPWT) had a higher prevalence of chronic comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease, but fewer active smokers compared to Group 1. Higher body mass index, prolonged operative time, and uncontrolled diabetes were significantly associated with the development of SSCs. The incidence of SSCs within 90 days was significantly lower in the iNPWT group (7.6%) compared to the standard dressing group (22.5%) (p = 0.03). iNPWT use was associated with a substantially reduced risk of SSCs (OR: 0.282), demonstrating a protective effect. Conclusions: Prophylactic application of iNPWT following RC significantly reduced the incidence of surgical site complications compared to standard dressing. These findings support the potential of iNPWT as a valuable adjunct in perioperative wound management. While encouraging, these results warrant validation in prospective, randomized studies. Tailored postoperative strategies and identification of patient-specific risk factors remain essential components in SSC prevention and reflect the growing importance of precision medicine in surgical oncology.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Synthesis of a thiazole N-oxide-based π-conjugated polymer via direct arylation polycondensation under mild conditions

  Polymer · 2025-09-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Identification of Risk Factors in Patients with Recurrent Cystitis May Improve Individualized Management

  Diagnostics · 2025-11-14

  articleOpen access

  Background/Objectives: Management of acute episodes of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) depends on whether they are sporadic or recurrent. We aimed to define factors that differentiate patients with acute sporadic cystitis (AC) from those with recurrent cystitis (RC) and thereby improve individualized care. Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data from the multinational GPIU.COM study. Female patients with an acute LUTI episode completed the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) and underwent a routine clinical and laboratory evaluation, including a physical examination, ultrasonography, urinalysis, and urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Risk factors for recurrence were evaluated using the Lower Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence Risk (LUTIRE) nomogram and the ORENUC classification. Statistical analysis followed a robust stepwise approach. Significant variables were assessed by relative risk (RR), and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs). Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), the Hosmer–Lemeshow test, variance inflation factor (VIF), and bootstrap sampling. Results: A total of 106 women were included (AC n = 50; RC n = 56). Patients with RC more frequently presented with a history of constipation, a severe impact of symptoms on daily activities, multiple uropathogens, and trace proteinuria. Pyuria was inversely associated with RC. Logistic regression identified chronic constipation, severe impact of symptoms on daily activities, and multiple uropathogens as independent predictors of RC. Three predictive models showed consistent discrimination between AC and RC (AUC = 0.80, 0.82, and 0.84). Conclusions: AC and RC showed notable differences in certain symptom profiles, quality of life, urinalysis, and microbiological findings. Combining high-value predictors from LUTIRE and ORENUC into a comprehensive prognostic algorithm could improve assessment of recurrence risk. A refined classification of LUTIs with recurrence grading is warranted to guide decision-making and prevention strategies.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• FRG: Collaborative Research: Statistical Inference for High-Dimensional Data: Theory, Methodology and Applications

  NSF · $851k · 2009–2013

• Theory and Methods for Estimation of Nonsmooth Functionals and Detection of Simultaneous Signals

  NSF · $486k · 2014–2017

• FRG: Collaborative Research: Statistical Inference for High-Dimensional Data: Theory, Methodology and Applications

  NSF · $143k · 2009–2013

• Random Matrix Theory and High Dimensional Statistics

  NSF · $255k · 2012–2016

• Theory And Methodology For Sparse Inference

  NSF · $353k · 2006–2009

Frequent coauthors

• Truls E. Bjerklund Johansen

  231 shared

• Riccardo Bartoletti

  University of Pisa

  170 shared

• Paolo Verze

  University of Salerno

  110 shared

• Kurt G. Naber

  Technical University of Munich

  99 shared

• Giovanni Liguori

  University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"

  97 shared

• Alessandro Palmieri

  University of Naples Federico II

  89 shared

• Michele Rizzo

  University of Trieste

  88 shared

• Zhikuan Jia

  Northwest A&F University

  87 shared

Education

• Urologist, Department of Urology

  University of Florence

  2007

• MD, Department of urology

  University of Florence

  2002

Awards & honors

• President-elect, President, and Past President, Institute of…
• Elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Adva…
• Noether Distinguished Scholar Award, American Statistical As…
• Laplace Lecturer of the Bernoulli Society, 10th World Congre…
• International Chinese Statistical Association Distinguished…