Topic: Advanced Disease

Recurrent T1HG Bladder cancer after BCG: More Intravesical Therapy or Radical Cystectomy

Frances M. Alba, MD, Associate Professor of Urology at the University of New Mexico, discusses the management of T1 high-grade bladder cancer, focusing on cases that recur following BCG therapy. In this 14-minute talk, Dr. Alba notes that continued BCG is seldom effective in these patients. Alba highlights the AUA guidelines, recommending cystectomy as the best chance to prevent disease progression, but shares additional treatment paths when not an option.

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Current State of the Art in Bladder-Preserving Trimodality Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Jason A. Efstathiou, MD, DPhil, FASTRO, FACRO, emphasizes the growing interest in bladder preservation therapies as an alternative to radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). While cystectomy remains an effective treatment, it is not performed in about half of eligible patients. Trimodality therapy (TMT), combining maximal transurethral resection (TUR), chemotherapy, and radiation, offers a promising bladder-sparing approach.

In this 11-minute presentation, Dr. Efstathiou compares outcomes between TMT and cystectomy, showing no significant difference in metastasis-free or cancer-specific survival. A shift toward biomarker-driven management is also highlighted, with specific markers, such as MRE11 and immune signatures, indicating better responses to chemoradiation. Immunotherapy is increasingly integrated into treatment regimens, with promising trials like SWOG 1806 exploring the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemoradiation.

TMT, now recognized by major guidelines, offers patients a viable option with preserved bladder function, improved quality of life, and less life interference. The presentation stresses the need for improved staging, expanded access to bladder-sparing options, and informed decision-making to optimize outcomes for MIBC patients.

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Innovations in Bladder Cancer: Strategies for Improving Outcomes Across the Disease Continuum

Daniel P. Petrylak, MD, discusses recent advancements in bladder cancer management, highlighting the evolving treatment landscape and the integration of novel therapies. In this 10-minute talk, Petrylak notes a paradigm shift in treating metastatic bladder cancer, moving beyond traditional platinum-based chemotherapies such as gemcitabine and cisplatin, toward immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Petrylak shares trials exploring new therapeutic strategies, such as integrating agents into neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. For patients ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy, new protocols involving EV and pembrolizumab provide promising alternatives.

The presentation emphasizes future research’s importance in optimizing treatment sequencing, improving bladder preservation, and minimizing toxicity. With survival rates for metastatic bladder cancer doubling in recent years, ongoing trials are expected to further refine therapeutic strategies and define the next era of bladder cancer care.

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Clinical Trials in MIBC and NMIBC

Daniel P. Petrylak, MD, discusses advancements in treating urothelial carcinoma, emphasizing innovative therapies for BCG-refractory, recurrent, and metastatic disease.

In this 10-minute talk, Petrylak highlights Dr. Neil Shore’s INSTIL trial, a significant phase 3 study evaluating the adenovirus interferon agent nadofaragene firadenovec. Dr. Petrylak also discusses how immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, are moving into early-stage treatment and combined with BCG for non-cystectomy patients.

The discussion transitions to innovative drug delivery systems, such as a “pretzel” device designed for intravesical drug release.
Dr. Petrylak shares new trials in treating metastatic carcinoma that focus on minimizing side effects linked to conventional drugs like enfortumab vedotin by introducing smaller, less immunogenic agents. These trials, including a DEVAL phase 1 dose-escalation study, underscore the importance of these targeted innovations in battling this challenging cancer.

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Point-Counterpoint: Erectile Dysfunction After Local Therapies: PDE5 Inhibitors and Early Penile Rehab Improves ED Recovery Following Radical Surgery – Pro

T. Mike Hsieh, MD, MBA, presents the pros of using PDE5 inhibitors and early penile rehabilitation to treat erectile dysfunction post-radical prostatectomy. In this presentation, Dr. Hsieh discusses, the role of tissue hypoxia in recovery failure, the changing ratios of collagen versus smooth muscle in the organ pre- and post-operation, and why Restoration of QoL, not Spontaneous Erection Recovery, should be the measure of success.

This lecture is part of a Point-Counterpoint debate. Its opposing lecture is “Point-Counterpoint: Erectile Dysfunction After Local Therapies: PDE5 Inhibitors and Early Penile Rehab Improves ED Recovery Following Radical Surgery–Con.”

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