Sophia Kamran, MD, discusses emerging trends shaping the future of bladder cancer management

At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, California, Sophia C. Kamran, MD, discussed emerging trends that may reshape the management of bladder cancer over the next several years. Kamran is a radiation oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

Kamran emphasized that organ preservation will likely become an increasingly central goal in bladder cancer care. She noted that advances in bladder-sparing approaches may allow clinicians to avoid radical cystectomy in a greater proportion of patients. In particular, she highlighted growing interest in multimodal strategies that combine radiation therapy with novel systemic agents. Ongoing and future studies are exploring the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors and antibody–drug conjugates—such as enfortumab vedotin with pembrolizumab—alongside radiation. Other investigational approaches, including vaccine-based strategies and stereotactic body radiation therapy paired with immunotherapy, may further expand the range of bladder-preserving options.

She also pointed to continued progress in radiation technology as a key driver of improved outcomes. According to Kamran, advances in imaging and treatment targeting are helping make radiation therapy more precise, potentially reducing toxicity and long-term adverse effects. These improvements may enable clinicians to deliver effective bladder-directed therapy while minimizing treatment-related morbidity, ultimately enhancing the therapeutic ratio for patients receiving radiation-based bladder-sparing regimens.

Beyond treatment innovation, Kamran underscored the growing emphasis on quality of life and the need to better study populations that have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. Sessions at the meeting highlighted research on bladder cancer outcomes in women, including functional and sexual health considerations, as well as treatment strategies for elderly and frail patients who are often excluded from major trials. She noted that expanding research in these areas is critical for informing clinical decision-making and ensuring that emerging therapies are applicable to the broader population of patients seen in routine practice.