An expert summarizes that TARA-002, a novel immunotherapy derived from Streptococcus pyogenes, is showing promising results in a phase 2 trial for non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer—particularly in BCG-unresponsive patients—and may offer a much-needed alternative amid current treatment limitations and BCG shortages.
An expert summarizes that bladder cancer management is evolving from traditional radical surgery toward more personalized, less invasive approaches—highlighting promising therapies like TARA-002 that activate broad immune responses, address both BCG-unresponsive and BCG-naive patients amid shortages, and offer familiar, manageable administration—while underscoring the critical need to carefully interpret diverse clinical trial data, optimize treatment sequencing and combinations, and integrate advanced diagnostics to improve outcomes, preserve bladder function, and reduce overtreatment in this complex disease landscape.
According to Song, novel aspiration technologies are reshaping not only care delivery, but also long-term treatment outcomes.
Aleece Fosnight, MSPAS, PA-C, CSC-S, CSE, IF, MSCP, HAES, discusses the strong connection between eating disorders and urinary incontinence in women.
Panelists discuss how oral androgen deprivation therapy options like relugolix fit into current treatment strategies across multiple patient categories, offering advantages in rapid onset, quick recovery, and convenience, particularly for patients requiring short-term treatment or those with cardiovascular risk factors.
Panelists discuss how the treatment paradigm for androgen deprivation therapy is evolving from traditional injectable GnRH agonists to include oral GnRH antagonists like relugolix, which offer more rapid onset, faster recovery, and avoidance of testosterone flare.
Ultimately, the take-home message for practicing urologists is to apply TMT judiciously, taking into account the patient's clinical profile, personal values, and financial situation.
One crucial recommendation is incorporating an ergonomic training module into the curriculum.
Betty Wang, MD, said she envisions ctDNA integrating into existing surveillance protocols for patients with high-risk NMIBC.
One consideration is the setting in which the procedure is performed.
A panelist discusses how patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer receiving treatment intensification should complete an 18- to 24-month course of systemic therapy with radiation for optimal cure rates, rather than stopping early due to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response alone.
The research identified several risk factors for high burnout, including younger age, female gender, and longer working hours.
Andrea Pezzella, MD, URPS, FACOG, stressed the need for offering patients comprehensive information on all available therapies.
Howard B. Goldman, MD, who was the first to use the device in a clinical setting, shares his initial thoughts on the technology and its role in real-world practice.
Panelists discuss the critical unmet need for more personalized treatment in non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), emphasizing the role of biomarkers, emerging modalities like radiation, and optimized therapy sequencing to improve outcomes, as current approaches still leave many patients at risk of relapse despite expanding therapeutic options.
Panelists discuss how the evolving treatment landscape for high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) demands that urologists adapt to more complex delivery methods and integrate systemic therapies into care, emphasizing the need for patient education, new workflows, and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure equitable access to emerging therapies across all practice settings.
Clean intermittent catheterization emerged as the second most commonly used bladder management method over time in both sexes.
In his latest YouTube masterclass, Dr. Ash Tewari shares his groundbreaking approach to nerve sparing prostate surgery, shedding light on the anatomy, surgical techniques, and innovations that make it possible.
The course addresses "unicorn cases" in the upper tract—unique and challenging situations lacking established guidelines or literature.
Data showed that African American men faced significant delays in treatment initiation.
Vikram M. Narayan, MD, discusses Emory's recent shift to Apple products, aimed at reducing physician burnout and improving patient interactions.
Justin Dubin, MD, discussed how patients' growing trust in digital tools could be leveraged to support lifestyle changes and improve health outcomes.
A panelist discusses how different abiraterone formulations require specific steroid combinations—prednisone with traditional abiraterone and prednisolone with microformulation—and the importance of following labeling recommendations.
A panelist discusses how the choice between microformulation abiraterone and off-label low-dose regimens is often dictated by cost and insurance coverage rather than purely clinical considerations.
Wang and Bukavina outline several cases of ctDNA's utility in the space.
Pezzella said she believes Neuspera offers a "smart, integrated, sophisticated alternative" for treating overactive bladder symptoms.
Panelists discuss the growing emphasis on combination therapies for high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), highlighting their potential to overcome BCG resistance through synergistic mechanisms, while emphasizing the need for biomarker-driven personalization, careful management of adverse effects, and more robust data to guide optimal sequencing and patient selection.
Panelists discuss the complexities of treatment selection and sequencing in non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) amid pending trial data, emphasizing the potential of emerging chemotherapy backbones, biomarker-driven personalization, and patient-centered decision-making to balance efficacy, quality of life, and evolving bladder-preserving options.
Mina M. Fam, MD, discusses some of the common misconceptions that patients have when seeking testosterone replacement therapy.
“With the right use, AI can and hopefully will play a massive role in patient education,” says Justin M. Dubin, MD.
