ASCO 2026
ASCO 2026
ASCO 2026: Clinical Outcomes with ERBB2 Gene Amplification and Activating Mutations in MIBC Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a bladder cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Earle Burgess discussing clinical outcomes with ERBB2 gene amplification and activating mutations in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy has previously been a therapeutic mainstay for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Activating ERBB2 mutations have been associated with improved pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer.1 However, the prognostic value of ERBB2 gene amplifications in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not characterized. The impact of ERBB2 gene alterations (mutations + amplifications) on recurrence free survival/overall survival in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy is also not well defined. Previously, Dr. Burgess and colleagues reported at ASCO GU 2026 that high tumor mutational burden (TMB) is associated with improved clinical outcomes in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.2 Given the increased interest in ERBB2 as a therapeutic target in urothelial cancer, Dr. Burgess assessed the impact of ERBB2 gene variants on clinical outcomes in the previously reported cohort.
ASCO 2026: Impact of FGFR3 Pathway Activation in Patients with MIBC Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a bladder cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Earle Burgess discussing the impact of FGFR3 pathway activation in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Activation of FGFR3 pathway signaling drives a subset of urothelial bladder cancers and classically results from pathogenic gene mutations or fusions.1 Recently, an RNA expression signature representing activation of FGFR3 pathway independent from FGFR3 mutations or fusions has been identified.2 The prognostic value of FGFR3 pathway activation in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy has not been defined. Dr. Burgess and colleagues recently reported at ASCO GU 2026 that high tumor mutational burden (TMB) is associated with improved clinical outcomes in muscle invasive bladder cancer,3 and at ASCO 2026, they assessed the clinical outcomes associated with FGFR3 pathway activation in this cohort.
ASCO 2026: Prognostic Value of PSA Nadir and Meta-Analysis
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a prostate cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Mohammad Ganyani discussing the prognostic value of PSA nadir <= 0.2 ng/mL in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The treatment landscape for mHSPC has evolved substantially with the adoption of early treatment intensification using androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and chemotherapy in addition to ADT. PSA nadir has historically served as an important prognostic marker; existing thresholds were primarily established in ADT-only cohorts and may not accurately reflect outcomes in the contemporary combination-therapy era. Emerging evidence suggests that achieving a PSA nadir ≤0.2 ng/mL is associated with improved disease control and survival outcomes in patients with mHSPC. As such, Dr. Ganyani and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic significance of PSA nadir ≤0.2 ng/mL in patients with mHSPC.
ASCO 2026: TRIPLE-SWITCH (SWOG/CCTG-PR26): A Randomized Phase III Clinical Trial for the Addition of Docetaxel to APRIs in Patients with mCSPC and Suboptimal PSA Response
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a prostate cancer trials in progress session and a presentation by Dr. Michael Ong discussing TRIPLE-SWITCH (SWOG/CCTG-PR26), a randomized phase III clinical trial for the addition of docetaxel to androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) in patients with metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) and suboptimal PSA response.
ASCO 2026: Rethinking the Role of Tumor Size in Bladder Preservation: Comparing Survival Outcomes of Radical Cystectomy and Trimodal Therapy
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a bladder cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Dawood Hasan discussing rethinking the role of tumor size in bladder preservation by comparing survival outcomes of radical cystectomy and trimodal therapy.
ASCO 2026: Ultrasensitive ctDNA Detection and Molecular Clearance as a Prognostic and Predictive Marker in Advanced RCC
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a kidney cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Juan Ruiz Banobre discussing ultrasensitive ctDNA detection and molecular clearance as a prognostic and predictive marker in advanced RCC. RCC is characterized by exceptionally low levels of ctDNA, often falling below the limit of detection for conventional liquid biopsy assays. This low-shedding environment creates a significant unmet need for ultrasensitive strategies to detect molecular residual disease, improving patient stratification, and enabling longitudinal monitoring of disease evolution in a clinical setting.
ASCO 2026: OPTION-DDR CCTG-PR-25: A Randomized Phase III Trial Investigating Platinum and Taxane Chemotherapy in mCRPC Patients with Alterations in DDR Genes
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a prostate cancer trials in progress session and a presentation by Dr. Michael Ong discussing OPTION-DDR (CCTG-PR-25), a randomized phase III trial investigating platinum and taxane chemotherapy in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with alterations in DDR genes. Patients with mCRPC have a poor prognosis. As part of their standard treatment, patients undergo genetic testing to determine if PARP inhibitors would be appropriate for their care. The OPTION-DDR trial leverages standard of care genetic testing to identify patients with alterations in DDR genes. The trial aims to determine if adding carboplatin to standard of care docetaxel in patients with mCRPC with genetic alterations in DDR genes improves overall survival.
ASCO 2026: MRI Study: UMIN 000009823 – a Prospective Study of mpMRI-Guided Salvage Radiotherapy with Lesion-Directed Dose Escalation After Radical Prostatectomy: 10 Year Follow-up Results
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a prostate cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Kenshiro Shiraishi discussing 10 year follow-up results from a prospective study of mpMRI-guided salvage radiotherapy with lesion-directed dose escalation after radical prostatectomy. Salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy has traditionally been delivered as uniform dose distribution of the prostate bed without lesion visualization. Previously, Dr. Shiraishi and colleagues prospectively implemented an image-guided salvage strategy integrating high-resolution multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and lesion-directed dose escalation. At the ASCO 2026 annual meeting, Dr. Shiraishi reported the long-term oncologic outcomes of this pioneering approach.
ASCO 2026: Advancing Treatment of Low Grade Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma with Padeliporfin Vascular Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP): The ENLIGHTED Phase 3 Trial
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a urothelial carcinoma trials in progress session and a presentation by Dr. Vitaly Margulis discussing the ENLIGHTED phase 3 trial assessing advancing treatment of low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma with padeliporfin vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP). Padeliporfin VTP has demonstrated safety and efficacy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma treatment in a phase 1 study. Padeliporfin VTP is a combination product of a drug, padeliporfin administered IV, and an optical fiber coupled laser emitting near-infrared light endoluminally to upper tract urothelial carcinoma tumors:
ASCO 2026: TROPION-Urothelial03: A Phase 2/3 Study of Datopotamab Deruxtecan + Platinum Based Chemotherapy versus Gemcitabine + Platinum Based Chemotherapy
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a urothelial carcinoma trials in progress session and a presentation by Dr. Matthew Galsky discussing TROPION-Urothelial03, a phase 2/3 study of datopotamab deruxtecan + platinum based chemotherapy versus gemcitabine + platinum based chemotherapy in participants with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with progression on or after enfortumab vedotin + pembrolizumab. Although first line enfortumab vedotin + pembrolizumab has improved outcomes for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, most experience disease progression, highlighting an unmet need for novel therapies. While there is limited evidence to guide the optimal selection of second line therapies post disease progression on or after first line enfortumab vedotin, current guideline recommendations include platinum based chemotherapy, which has demonstrated modest efficacy in studies to date. Complete response rates range from 2.9-10%, the median duration of response is ~4 months, the median progression free survival is 3.4-4.4 months, and the median overall survival is <1 year.
ASCO 2026: Selective Bladder-Sparing Trial with Sasanlimab as Maintenance Treatment Based on Clinical Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment in Molecularly Categorized MIBC Patients: SASAN-SPARING Trial
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a urothelial carcinoma trials in progress session and a presentation by Dr. Elena Sevillano discussing the SASAN-SPARING trial assessing selective bladder-sparing with sasanlimab as maintenance treatment based on clinical response to neoadjuvant treatment in molecularly categorized muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. Muscle invasive bladder cancer is an aggressive disease with a high risk of progression, for which radical cystectomy remains the standard of care. Adaptive bladder-sparing strategies based on post-neoadjuvant clinical restaging are increasingly explored to maintain oncologic control while preserving quality of life. SASAN-SPARING evaluates sasanlimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, as maintenance therapy in patients achieving a clinical response after neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
ASCO 2026: External Validation of New Prostate Cancer Risk Groups by PSMA-PET (PPP3)
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a prostate cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Wolfgang Fendler discussing external validation of new prostate cancer risk groups by PSMA-PET. PSMA PET usage in prostate cancer is growing rapidly. Previously, Dr. Fendler and colleagues proposed novel risk group definitions for prostate cancer patients based on PSMA targeted PET. PSMA-PET pan-stage nomograms (PPP3) were then developed using the international, multicenter PROMISE registry (NCT06320223) to prognosticate 3, 5, and 7 year overall survival.1 At the ASCO 2026 annual meeting, Dr. Fendler and colleagues presented an external validation of PPP3.
ASCO 2026: Cabozantinib + Nivolumab versus Sunitinib in Patients with Advanced RCC and Liver Metastasis: Subgroup Analysis of the Phase 3 CheckMate-9ER Trial
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a kidney cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Amishi Shah discussing a subgroup analysis of the phase 3 CheckMate-9ER trial assessing cabozantinib + nivolumab versus sunitinib in patients with advanced RCC and liver metastasis. Liver metastases occur in ~18-20% of patients with advanced RCC and are associated with poor survival outcomes. In the phase 3 CheckMate 9ER trial, cabozantinib + nivolumab treatment significantly improved progression free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate versus sunitinib in patients with first line advanced RCC,1 including those with baseline liver metastasis.2 At the ASCO 2026 annual meeting, Dr. Shah and colleagues presented results of an exploratory analyses of outcomes in additional subgroups including patients with no liver metastasis and those with liver metastasis plus other metastatic sites.
ASCO 2026: Cabozantinib + Nivolumab versus Sunitinib in Patients with Advanced RCC and Bone Metastasis: Updated Subgroup Analysis of the Phase 3 CheckMate-9ER Trial
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a kidney cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Andrea Apolo discussing an updated subgroup analysis of the phase 3 CheckMate-9ER trial assessing cabozantinib + nivolumab versus sunitinib in patients with advanced RCC and bone metastasis. Bone metastases occur in ~30-35% of patients with advanced RCC and are associated with severe skeletal complications and poor survival outcomes. In first line advanced RCC, cabozantinib + nivolumab significantly improved progression free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate versus sunitinib in the phase 3 CheckMate 9ER trial.1,2 In an exploratory analysis with median 23.5-months follow-up, cabozantinib + nivolumab improved progression free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate versus sunitinib in patients with or without bone metastasis at baseline. At the 2026 ASCO annual meeting, Dr. Apolo and colleagues presented results of an updated exploratory analysis of outcomes by baseline bone metastasis status based on the 5-year update and analyzed subgroups with additional metastatic sites.
ASCO 2026: Discussant – Switching Gears: Tuning the Targeting Moiety of PSMA Directed Radioligand Therapy
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a plenary session and a discussant presentation by Dr. Karolien Goffin discussing “Safety and dosimetry of 177Lu-rosopatamab tetraxetan plus standard of care (SOC) in patients with mCRPC: Preliminary results from part 1 of phase 3 ProstACT Global study” by Dr. Pedro Barata. Dr. Goffin started her discussant presentation by reviewing the current PSMA radioligand therapy landscape, noting that small molecules remain the dominant targeting platform.
ASCO 2026: Discussant - Moving Beyond Beta-Emitters: The Next Generation Radioligand Therapies in Prostate Cancer
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a plenary session and a discussant presentation by Dr. Jeremie Calais discussing two abstracts, including “AcTION: Phase 1 study of 225Ac-PSMA-617 in men with mCRPC with or without prior 177Lu-PSMA radioligand therapy” presented by Dr. Louise Emmett, and “CONVERGE-01 Part 3: Ac-225 rosopatamab tetraxetan (CONV01-alpha) in 177Lu-PSMA pretreated mCRPC” presented by Dr. Michael Morris.
ASCO 2026: Radioligand Revolutions: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured a radioligand innovation in prostate cancer session and a presentation by Dr. Renu Eapen discussing where we are now and where we are going. Dr. Eapen began her presentation by revisiting the origins of modern PSMA radioligand therapy.
ASCO 2026: How to Better Personalize Treatment with 177Lu-PSMA-617
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured an optimizing care for patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) session and a presentation by Dr. Louise Emmett discussing how to better personalize treatment with 177Lu-PSMA-617. How stringent should patient selection criteria be?
ASCO 2026: First-Line Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: One Size Doesn't Fit All
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured an optimizing care for patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) session and a presentation by Dr. Karim Fizazi discussing that one size does not fit all for first-line treatment for mCRPC. Dr. Fizazi began by highlighting the molecular heterogeneity of mCRPC, noting that seminal genomic work has demonstrated that advanced prostate cancer encompasses multiple biologically distinct disease states. This heterogeneity mandates individualized treatment approaches rather than a “one-size-fits-all” strategy.
ASCO 2026: Optimizing Care for Patients with mCRPC: Integration of Palliative Care in Metastatic Prostate Cancer – Reflection and Advocacy
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(UroToday.com) The 2026 ASCO annual meeting featured an optimizing care for patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) session and a presentation by Dr. Biren Saraiya discussing early integration of palliative and supportive care. To frame the discussion, Dr. Saraiya first defined palliative care, which is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness and is focused on the relief of suffering.