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Benjamin P. Saylor is associate editor of Urology Times, an Advanstar Communications publication.

The Continuity Grant will support projects in bladder cancer and/or upper tract urothelial carcinoma that were previously scientifically reviewed, approved, and funded.

BCAN launches $1 million grant for bladder cancer research impacted by federal funding cuts

Alpha1H was granted a fast track designation in November 2023.

Meeting with FDA paves way for phase 3 trial of Alpha1H in NMIBC

The level II code A9616 will be effective starting on October 1, 2025. 

CMS issues reimbursement code for PSMA-PET imaging agent Gozellix

Mulhall offers an unfiltered, evidence-based deep dive into testosterone evaluation and treatment nuances.

Pearls & Perspectives: Testosterone and the Future of Men’s Health, with John P. Mulhall, MD

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Lu is a board-certified anatomic pathologist and medical director of GoPath Laboratories LLC and GoPath Pathology Associates S.C., Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

"Liquid biopsy analysis provides a noninvasive and facile tool for early detection, diagnosis, and recurrence surveillance of urological cancer," writes Jim Lu, MD, PhD.

Molecular diagnostic practice in prostate and bladder cancers

The FDA has accepted a new drug application (NDA) for zoliflodacin, an investigational first-in-class, single-dose, spiropyrimidinetrione oral antibiotic for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with uncomplicated gonorrhea, Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics announced in a news release.

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for the application is December 15, 2025.

Zoliflodacin is an oral antibiotic that inhibits type II topoisomerase, a bacterial enzyme that plays a key role in bacterial function and reproduction. According to the company, “If approved, zoliflodacin would be the first new antibiotic for treating gonorrhea in decades.”

The FDA has also granted a Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation to zoliflodacin, which enables the agent to benefit from priority review and market exclusivity.

“Today’s acceptance of the zoliflodacin NDA marks significant progress toward delivering health care providers with a potential new oral treatment option for uncomplicated gonorrhea, including infections caused by drug-resistant strains,” said David Altarac, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, in the news release.

 “We look forward to working closely with the FDA during its review and, if approved, we are committed to expediting the availability of zoliflodacin to patients in the U.S.”

The NDA for zoliflodacin is supported by data from several clinical trials conducted through a collaboration with the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP). This portfolio of studies includes a pivotal phase 3 trial (NCT03959527) that evaluated zoliflodacin vs a standard of care (SOC) regimen (500 mg ceftriaxone intramuscular plus 1g oral azithromycin) in patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea.

Overall, the trial met its primary end point by demonstrating that zoliflodacin was non-inferior to the SOC regimen regarding microbiological response at the urogenital site at the test of cure visit (6 +/- 2 days following treatment). Specifically, the microbiological cure rate was 90.9% in the zoliflodacin arm vs 96.2% in the ceftriaxone/azithromycin arm, representing a difference of 5.3% (95% CI, 1.4% to 8.7%) across patients in the micro-intent-to-treat (ITT) population.

The 2 cohorts also demonstrated comparable results on the trial’s secondary end point of microbiological response at extragenital (rectal or pharyngeal) sites. Specifically, at pharyngeal sites, the cure rate was 79.2% in the zoliflodacin arm vs 78.6% in the ceftriaxone/azithromycin arm (difference, -0.67%; 95% CI, -20.8 to 16.3). At rectal sites, the cure rate was 87.3% and 88.6%, respectively (difference, 1.23%; 95% CI, -14.4 to 12.6).

Zoliflodacin was generally well-tolerated in the trial. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 46.2% of patients in the zoliflodacin arm vs 46.4% of patients in the ceftriaxone/azithromycin arm. The most common TEAEs in the zoliflodacin arm included headache (9.9%), neutropenia (6.8%), and leukopenia (3.9%).

There were no deaths or serious adverse events reported in either arm.

In total, the phase 3 trial included 930 patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea, including patients living with HIV. The study enrolled participants across 16 clinical trial sites in the US, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Thailand.

According to Innoviva, the phase 3 study was “the largest clinical trial ever conducted for a new treatment against gonorrhea infection.”

Those enrolled in the study were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive 3 g single-dose, oral zoliflodacin (n = 621) or to 500 mg ceftriaxone intramuscular plus 1g oral azithromycin (n = 309). The primary end point was microbiological cure by culture at urogenital sites in the micro-ITT populations, with a non-inferiority margin of 12%. The trial’s secondary end point was microbiological cure at extragenital sites.

“This important milestone demonstrates the crucial role that public-private partnerships can play in tackling the escalating global antimicrobial resistance crisis,” said Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of GARDP, in the news release.

 “If zoliflodacin is approved, this collaboration paves the way for millions of people across the world to get access to a potentially powerful new drug to treat multidrug-resistant gonorrhea.”

1. Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics receives FDA New Drug Application acceptance for zoliflodacin, a first-in-class oral antibiotic for uncomplicated gonorrhea in adults. News release. Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics. Published online and accessed June 10, 2025. https://innovivaspecialtytherapeutics.com/innoviva-specialty-therapeutics-receives-fda-new-drug-application-acceptance-for-zoliflodacin-a-first-in-class-oral-antibiotic-for-uncomplicated-gonorrhea-in-adults/

2. FDA Grants Priority Review for Zoliflodacin New Drug Application for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Gonorrhea and Assigns Target PDUFA Date of December 15, 2025. News release. Innovia Specialty Therapeutics, Inc. Published online and accessed June 12, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250612432209/en/FDA-Grants-Priority-Review-for-Zoliflodacin-New-Drug-Application-for-the-Treatment-of-Uncomplicated-Gonorrhea-and-Assigns-Target-PDUFA-Date-of-December-15-2025 

3. Luckey A, Broadhurst H, Daram P, et al. Oral zoliflodacin is non-inferior to a combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin for treatment of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea: results of a large global Phase 3 randomised controlled trial. Presented at: European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Global Congress. April 27-30, 2024. Barcelona, Spain. https://gardp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Zoli001-Topline-ECCMID2024_final_V1.0_23Apr2024_.pdf

The FDA has accepted the NDA for zoliflodacin, a novel oral antibiotic for treating uncomplicated gonorrhea in patients aged 12 and older. Zoliflodacin, which inhibits type II topoisomerase, has been granted a Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation, allowing for priority review. Clinical trials, including a pivotal phase 3 study, demonstrated that zoliflodacin is non-inferior to the standard regimen of ceftriaxone and azithromycin. The trials showed comparable microbiological cure rates at urogenital and extragenital sites, with zoliflodacin being generally well-tolerated and no serious adverse events reported.

The NDA is supported by a pivotal phase 3 trial of zoliflodacin vs ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea. 

News

FDA accepts new drug application for zoliflodacin for uncomplicated gonorrhea

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The FDA has accepted a Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking approval of nivolumab (Opdivo) co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20), or subcutaneous nivolumab, for the treatment of patients with all previously approved solid tumor indications for nivolumab as a monotherapy, monotherapy maintenance following completion of combination therapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab (Yervoy), or in combination with chemotherapy or cabozantinib (Cabometyx).

Nivolumab is currently approved under several indications, including in combination with ipilimumab for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), in combination with cabozantinib for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC, for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy, and in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

The FDA is set to have a decision regarding the subcutaneous nivolumab formulation on or by December 29, 2024.

 According to a news release from Bristol Myers Squibb,

 approval of the formulation would make it the first and only subcutaneously administered PD-1 inhibitor.

“We believe subcutaneous nivolumab has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of patients, which is reinforced by the FDA’s acceptance of our application,” said Gina Fusaro, PhD, vice president, global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb, in the news release.

 “Opdivo is a foundational PD-1 inhibitor approved for many different types of cancer, and our continued investment in research that puts patients first remains a priority. If approved by the FDA, the subcutaneous administration of nivolumab would provide patients and their physicians with a new option that delivers the same well-known benefits as IV Opdivo but with the improved convenience of an injection administered in 3 to 5 minutes rather than a 30-to-60-minute infusion.”

The BLA submission is supported by findings from the phase 3 CheckMate-67T trial (NCT04810078), in which subcutaneous nivolumab met the study’s co-primary end points by demonstrating noninferiority to intravenous (IV) nivolumab regarding time average nivolumab serum concentration over 28 days (C

; geometric mean ratio [GMR}, 2.098; 90% CI, 2.001-2.200) and minimum serum concentration at a steady state (C

Data from the study, which were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, California,

 also showed that subcutaneous nivolumab demonstrated noninferiority to IV nivolumab in the key powered secondary end point of objective response rate (ORR). Specifically, the subcutaneous arm demonstrated an ORR of 24.2% (95% CI, 19.0-30.0) per blinded independent central review (BICR), compared with 18.2% (95% CI, 13.6-23.6) in the IV arm.

The safety profile for subcutaneous nivolumab was consistent with that of the IV formulation. Among patients who received the subcutaneous formulation, 8.1% experienced injection-site reactions, with all being low-grade and transient. Deaths due to study drug toxicity occurred in 3 patients in the subcutaneous arm and 1 patient in the IV arm. Most deaths that occurred during the study were due to disease progression.

In total, the phase 3, open-label CheckMate-67T trial enrolled 495 patients with advanced or metastatic ccRCC who had received prior systemic therapy. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive 1200 mg subcutaneous nivolumab plus rHuPH20 every 4 weeks (n = 248) or to 3 mg/kg IV nivolumab every 2 weeks (n = 247) for up to 2 years of treatment or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal, or death.

The co-primary pharmacokinetic end points for noninferiority testing were C

 of subcutaneous nivolumab vs IV nivolumab. The key secondary end point was ORR per BICR.

Final completion of the CheckMate-67T study is expected in January 2026.

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepts Bristol Myers Squibb’s application for subcutaneous nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase). News release. Bristol Myers Squibb. May 6, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024. https://news.bms.com/news/corporate-financial/2024/U.S.-Food-and-Drug-Administration-Accepts-Bristol-Myers-Squibbs-Application-for-Subcutaneous-Nivolumab-nivolumab-and-hyaluronidase/default.aspx

2. Bristol Myers Squibb announces updated action date by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for subcutaneous nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase). News release. Published online and accessed May 21, 2024. https://investors.bms.com/iframes/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Announces-Updated-Action-Date-by-the-U.S.-Food-and-Drug-Administration-for-Subcutaneous-Nivolumab-nivolumab-and-hyaluronidase/default.aspx

3. George S, Bourlon TB, Chacon MR, et al. Subcutaneous nivolumab (NIVO SC) vs intravenous nivolumab (NIVO IV) in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, and safety results from CheckMate 67T. 

4. A study of subcutaneous nivolumab versus intravenous nivolumab in participants with previously treated clear cell renal cell carcinoma that is advanced or has spread (CheckMate-67T). ClinicalTrials.gov. Last updated March 1, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04810078

The FDA is set to have a decision regarding the subcutaneous nivolumab formulation on or by December 29, 2024. 

FDA accepts BLA for subcutaneous nivolumab in solid tumors

Today, March 20, 2025, the FDA approved Gozellix (TLX007-CDx), a proprietary cold kit for the preparation of gallium-68 (

Ga) gozetotide injection, Telix Pharmaceuticals announced in a news release.

Specifically, Gozellix—after radiolabeling with 

Ga—is indicated in patients with prostate cancer who have suspected metastases and are candidates for initial definitive therapy and patients who have suspected recurrence of prostate cancer based on an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

“Securing FDA approval for Gozellix is a major win for prostate cancer patients, who gain enhanced access to state-of-the-art 

Ga PSMA-PET imaging," said Kevin Richardson, CEO of Telix Precision Medicine, in the news release.

 "Telix continues to invest in innovation across our portfolio, and Gozellix is a testament to this continuous improvement approach. With the launch of Gozellix, our team is excited to be bringing the new generation of prostate cancer scanning to more American men, delivered with the reliability, service and flexibility that customers have come to expect from Telix.”

According to the company, Gozellix has a longer shelf life of up to 6 hours and provides an extended distribution profile compared with previously approved gallium-68 (

Telix added, “The ability to reliably deliver the product much further from its point of production means Gozellix can reach PET cameras that are currently not served by any PSMA imaging providers, bringing the accuracy and clinical utility of gallium-based imaging to more patients across the U.S.” The company believes that this design will further expand the availability, distribution, and scheduling flexibility of PSMA-PET imaging.

“The scheduling flexibility and accessibility, along with the excellent clinical performance of 

Ga-based PSMA-PET imaging, has enabled Telix to drive rapid geographic expansion of PSMA-PET imaging with our first product Illuccix,” explained Dr Christian Behrenbruch, managing director and Group CEO of Telix, in a prior news release.

 “A core value of our company is the commitment to improving access to medicine and delivering clinical utility that will benefit patients, very much reflected in the development of this exciting new product. We believe this is particularly important as demand for PSMA-PET imaging is forecast to grow significantly over the coming decade.”

Additionally, Telix believes that Gozellix may be eligible for full reimbursement, with reduced or no patient co-insurance, which would expand access to more patients.

The approval of Gozellix builds on Telix’s exisiting imaging portfolio.

In December 2021, the company received FDA approval for Illuccix, a kit for the preparation of gallium-68 (

Ga) gozetotide injection in patients with prostate cancer with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy and for patients with suspected recurrence based on elevated serum PSA levels.

 An expanded indication of Illuccix was approved in March 2023 to include patients with metastatic prostate cancer who are indicated for PSMA-directed radioligand therapy (

Ga-PSMA-11 has also received approvals in Canada and Australia.

According to the company, Gozellix “will be available alongside the first-generation product, providing choice for customers and patients based on their individual needs.”

The safety and efficacy of gallium Ga-68 gozetotide were established in the PSMA-PreRP trial (NCT02919111 and NCT02611882) and the PSMA BCR trial (NCT02918357), in the initial definitive therapy and biochemical recurrence settings, respectively. A total of 960 patients were enrolled across both studies. Each patient received 1 dose of gallium Ga-68 gozetotide. 

According to Telix, "The average injected activity was 188.7 ± 40.7 MBq (5.1 ± 1.1 mCi). The most commonly reported adverse reactions were nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness, occurring at a rate of <1%."

Specifically, the PSMA-PreRP trial enrolled 325 patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer who were considered candidates for prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection.

 Intermediate- or high-rsik disease was defined as having at least 1 of the following: a PSA level of 10 ng/mL or higher, a T-stage of T2b or higher, or a Gleason score of 6 or higher.

In the detection of pelvic lymph node metastasis, 

Ga-PSMA-11 demonstrated a specificity of 90% (95% CI, 84%-96%) and a sensitivity of 47% (95% CI, 29-65%). The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 61% (95% CI, 41%-81%) and 84% (95% CI, 79%-91%), respectively.

The PSMA-BCR trial enrolled 635 patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following definitive therapy. Data showed high correct localization rates (CLRs; true positive among all positive PET scans) across all PSA levels assessed. Specifically, the CLR was 92% in PSA levels below 0.5 ng/mL, 83% in PSAs between 0.5 ng/mL and 1 ng/mL, 97% in PSA levels between 1 ng/mL and 2 ng/mL, and 91% in PSAs of 2 ng/mL or higher.

Overall, 91% (95% CI, 85%-95%) of evaluable patients were found to be a true positive in 1 or more regions compared with the composite reference standard. Additionally, 74% of patients had at least 1 positive region detected on 

1. FDA approves new prostate cancer imaging agent Gozellix. News release. Telix Pharmaceuticals. Published online and accessed March 20, 2025. https://telixpharma.com/news-views/fda-approves-new-prostate-cancer-imaging-agent-gozellix/

2. Telix submits NDA for new prostate cancer imaging agent. News release. Telix Pharmaceuticals. May 27, 2024. Accessed March 20, 2025. https://telixpharma.com/news-views/telix-submits-nda-for-new-prostate-cancer-imaging-agent/

3. FDA approves Telix’s prostate cancer imaging product, Illuccix. News release. December 20, 2021. Accessed March 20, 2025. https://telixpharma.com/news-views/fda-approves-telixs-prostate-cancer-imaging-product-illuccix/

4. FDA approves expanded indication for Telix’s Illuccix to include patient selection for PSMA-directed radioligand therapy. News release. March 16, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2025. https://telixpharma.com/news-views/fda-approves-expanded-indication-for-telixs-illuccix-to-include-patient-selection-for-psma-directed-radioligand-therapy/

5. Indications and usage. Accessed March 20, 2025. https://illuccixhcp.com/efficacy/

The FDA has approved Gozellix, a gallium-68 gozetotide injection kit, for prostate cancer patients with suspected metastases or recurrence. This approval enhances access to advanced PSMA-PET imaging, offering a longer shelf life and broader distribution than previous agents. Gozellix is expected to improve scheduling flexibility and accessibility, potentially qualifying for full reimbursement. Clinical trials demonstrated its efficacy and safety, with high localization rates in detecting prostate cancer recurrence. Gozellix complements Telix's existing imaging portfolio, including the previously approved Illuccix.

Gozellix – after radiolabeling with 68Ga – is indicated for PET imaging of PSMA positive lesions in men with prostate cancer who have suspected metastases and are candidates for initial definitive therapy and those who have suspected recurrence based on an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen level.

FDA approves PET imaging product Gozellix for prostate cancer

 suggest that the use of combination therapy in veterans with de novo metastatic-hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has increased over time and is associated with significantly longer overall survival (OS) vs androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy.

"Frequently new drugs work [well] in clinical trials and have little effect in the real world. In most clinical trials patients are younger (age 65-70) and predominantly White (<4% Black men) who can travel to high-end academic medical centers and are more physically fit," explained lead author Martin W. Schoen, MD, MPH, of Saint Louis University and St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in correspondence with 

. "Our data comes from the entire VA, which includes ~25% Black men and men who are age 70-75 with heart disease, diabetes, etc. We show that in a real world population, the new therapies are effective. This study shows that the benefits of therapies in clinical trials is translating to benefits in the real world in a large group of patients."

In total, the retrospective cross-sectional study assessed 6216 veterans who received a diagnosis of de novo mHSPC from January 2013 to December 2022. The mean age of patients was 73.9 years (SD, 9.7). Among the 6216 patients included in the analysis, 3839 (61.8%) received ADT monotherapy, 1719 (27.7%) received an ARPI combination, and 658 (10.6%) received a docetaxel combination.

Overall, data showed an increase in the use of combination therapy over time, with combination treatment with either an ARPI or docetaxel becoming the majority of treatment in 2020. In 2020, combination therapy was used in 54% of patients (344 of 637), which rose to 63.1% of patients (465 of 737) in 2022.

Combination therapy was also associated with a significantly longer OS vs ADT monotherapy. Specifically, the mean OS was 40.3 months with combination therapy compared with 33 months with ADT monotherapy (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.87).

There was no difference in OS between ARPI-based and docetaxel-based combination regimens. The mean OS was 40.4 months with ARPI combination therapy vs 40.2 months with docetaxel combination therapy (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.22).

The study also assessed outcomes among 1540 patients who received combination therapy and had imaging reports for volume of disease. Those with high-volume disease demonstrated a significantly shorter survival; the mean OS was 33.3 months among those with high-volume disease compared with 62.5 months among those with low-volume disease (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.60; 

Patients with high-volume disease were also more likely to receive combination therapy with docetaxel. Overall, 33.8% of patients with high-volume disease received docetaxel combination therapy vs 22.1% of patients with low-volume disease (

In patients with high-volume disease, data showed no difference in OS between those who received an ARPI combination vs those who received a docetaxel combination. Specifically, OS was 32.2 months among those who received an ARPI combination vs 34.7 months among those who received a docetaxel combination (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.23).

However, in those with high-volume disease, combination therapy with an ARPI was associated with a longer progression-free survival (PFS) vs combination therapy with docetaxel. The mean PFS was 18.7 months with an ARPI combination vs 16.0 months with a docetaxel combination (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.91).

Trends were similar in patients with low-volume disease. Data showed no difference in OS between those who received an ARPI vs docetaxel regimen (68.4 months vs 55.3 months; HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.13), but PFS was significantly longer among those who received an ARPI regimen. Specifically, the mean PFS was 39.7 months in those who received an ARPI combination vs 24.0 months in those who received a docetaxel regimen (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.76).

"This research shows that these drugs have a dramatic effect on average patients in the VA, a group that is hard to treat," Schoen added. "This is the first large study that I am aware of that has compared chemotherapy vs hormonal therapies in matched patients in routine clinical practice."

The authors also concluded, “The data presented here suggest that an ARPI doublet combination treatment that avoids chemotherapy is a standard of care, and there is little evidence of benefit associated with a docetaxel doublet compared with an ARPI doublet."

“Future research into the role of docetaxel in triple combination is needed to elucidate the benefit of chemotherapy in mHSPC," they added.

1. Schoen MW, Doherty J, Eaton D, et al. Treatment patterns and survival among veterans with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. 

. 2025;8(5):e259433. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9433

2. Treatment patterns, survival among veterans with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. News release. Saint Louis University. May 7, 2025. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://www.newswise.com/articles/treatment-patterns-survival-among-veterans-with-de-novo-metastatic-hormone-sensitive-prostate-cancer

Combination therapy for veterans with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has increased over time, leading to significantly longer overall survival (OS) compared to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy. The study analyzed 6216 veterans, revealing that combination therapy became predominant by 2020. No OS difference was found between androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI) and docetaxel combinations, but ARPI showed longer progression-free survival (PFS). High-volume disease patients had shorter OS, with docetaxel more frequently used. Future research is needed to explore docetaxel's role in triple combination therapies.

However, the data did not show any benefit of a docetaxel doublet vs an ARPI doublet.

Combination therapy linked to longer OS vs ADT in veterans with mHSPC

Sequential intravesical valrubicin and docetaxel (val/doce) demonstrated safety and efficacy as salvage therapy for patients with recurrent high-risk non–muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), according to data from a retrospective study published in 

“We found that sequential intravesical valrubicin and docetaxel (or Val/Doce) was safe, well-tolerated, and provided meaningful bladder-preservation outcomes for a particularly high-risk population, the majority failing at least 2 prior therapies,” said lead author Ian M. McElree, MD, in correspondence with 

Sequential intravesical valrubicin and docetaxel (val/doce) has shown promise as a salvage therapy for recurrent high-risk non–muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), demonstrating safety and efficacy. In a retrospective study, nearly half of the patients remained disease-free at two years, with high-grade recurrence-free survival rates of 58% at one year and 45% at two years. The treatment was well-tolerated, with adverse events leading to discontinuation in only two patients. The study emphasizes the potential of combination intravesical chemotherapy, even after prior treatment failures.

“This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting combination intravesical chemotherapy as a feasible option even after prior treatment failure," says Ian M. McElree, MD. 

Jim Lu, MD, PhD

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