June 2019

A novel formulation of the chemotherapy drug mitomycin demonstrated a 59% complete response rate among patients with unresectable low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer, signaling the potential for a minimally invasive alternative to kidney removal for some individuals with this malignancy,

Use of a cytokine agonist in combination with BCG was highly successful in stimulating an immune response in previously BCG-unresponsive patients with carcinoma in situ high-grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, according to early trial results presented by Sam S. Chang, MD, MBA, at the 2019 American Urological Association Annual Meeting.

Enzalutamide in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer demonstrated significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival versus placebo plus ADT, regardless of baseline prostate-specific antigen levels, according to expanded findings from the ARCHES study.

As immunotherapy has become increasingly utilized, urologists are more frequently participating in the management of patients who are receiving immunotherapy.

The FDA approved indications in urologic cancers for 6 immune checkpoint inhibitors since 2015. That is unquestionably a good thing for patients, but the rise of these agents means that the role of the urologist in cancer care is changing, and some urologists are still on the fence about these agents.

Over the past 5 years, the need for urologists to continue to be the leaders— the quarterbacks—in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer has often been discussed. History will attest to urologists' success in leading this charge.

The decision to expand a practice comes with great financial cost and administrative effort. For Urology Austin, however, the benefits for their patients have outweighed the challenges of such growth.

Over the past 5 years, medical oncologists have witnessed the revolutionary impact of immunotherapy on patients with advanced urologic malignancies. Over the next 5 years, these therapies likely will similarly transform urologic surgical care.