Dr. Massard emphasised the change in clinical trials networks/units, and the addition of a network for rare and common cancers (i.e. in particular, rare molecular alterations). He added that bolstering education and fellowship involves training and empowering young fellows.

Penile preservation

In the following presentation “Strategies for penile preservation in early penile cancer”, urologist Dr. Arie Parnham (GB) stated that glans resurfacing is a good option for low-risk T1 tumours and glansectomy is a favourable option for T1-T2 tumours.

According to Dr. Parnham, brachytherapy is an alternative treatment but with a caveat. He advised, “One needs to gain enough experience to administer it.” Furthermore, organ-sparing is not always the optimal choice. He underscored that discussion of the oncological implications of recurrence is imperative, especially in a high-risk disease. “The data has shown, for example with grade-3 disease or if there’s a chance of a high recurrence rate, a radical treatment option may be the way to go.”

Dr. Parnham has stated that at present, data on how treatment affects functional and quality-of-life outcomes is scarce.

New interventions

On behalf of medical oncologist Dr. Yohann Loriot (FR), Dr. Massard presented the lecture “Novel immune approaches in GU”.

New immune biotechnologies
Several new technologies have been developed such as chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T cells and bispecific T cell engagers. He listed the five main challenges with CAR-T cells: Cytokine release syndrome; immune effector cell-associated syndrome; manufacturing of drugs; necessitation of chemotherapy preconditioning; and costs.

T cell engagers (TCE) were also discussed and defined as therapeutic proteins that can connect a T cell with a tumour cell. Most TCE have three domains: a domain that binds to a component of the T-cell receptor; a domain that binds to a tumour-associated antigen; and a domain that provides additional functionality such as half-life-extension.

Personalised mRNA vaccines were mentioned as well which involved a resection; the processing and transport of tissues; and the definition of the tumour and normal DNA sequence. Afterward, the neoantigens are predicted and selected. Finally, an autogene cevumeran (individualised neoantigen-encoding mRNA-lipoplex) is custom-manufactured.

New combinations

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are used for targeted chemotherapy. ADCs have high effective Intratumoural drug concentration, efficiency in cancer-cell killing, and lower systemic distribution and off-target effects.

In addition, new combinations are currently being tested (PD1 + LAG3 inhibitors).

New strategies
Immunotherapy (IO) might be more active in the early stages, and biomarkers might be helpful in developing IO.

Medical oncologist Dr. Elena Castro (ES), radiotherapist Prof. Valerie Fonteyne (BE), and urologist Prof. Morgan Rouprêt (FR) moderated the session.

Watch the full presentations and view the session recap from the EMUC23 Resource Centre.

The post New opportunities in GU cancers appeared first on EMUC25.

In this article Prof. Arnulf Stenzl (DE), who is one of EMUC22’s esteemed Steering Committee members and the EAU Adjunct Secretary General – Executive Member Science, offers a preview of the most relevant topics at the congress, as well as, his personal EMUC22 highlights.

What are the most relevant topics at EMUC22 and why?

Prof. Stenzl: As a large part of our practice is early detection of prostate cancer, Plenary Session 1: New tools for meaningful questions in early-stage prostate cancer will provide crucial insights into clinically meaningful methods. The session will deliver varying perspectives on whether MRI-targeted and systematic biopsies are still the roadmap for therapy. The delegates will learn how the teamwork among radiologist, a urologist, radiation oncologist and a focal therapist can be the best way in treating patients. In addition, there will be a deliberation on whether or not PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) with MRI is the treatment guide algorithm in high-risk prostate cancer.

The same goes for early detection and monitoring of bladder cancer. Urinary markers will be a topic favourite. During Plenary Session 3: New strategies in bladder cancer, experts will discuss the role of urinary markers in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; transurethral tumour removal for bladder preservation strategies; molecular subtyping and gene profiling.

Other important topics that EMUC22 will cover are testicular and penile cancers. These rare cancers affect young and usually otherwise healthy men. Fortunately, in most cases, testicular cancer is curable but we must be aware of the long-term physiological and psychological effects of the treatment.  Penile cancer is an orphan tumour with mostly unsuccessful treatment options. Plenary Session 8: Interdisciplinary challenges in penile and testicular cancer will comprise of multidisciplinary case discussions with potentially promising options.

What are your top 3 personal highlights of the EMUC22 programme and why?

Prof. Stenzl: My personal highlights include the:

1. Interactive case-based debates because these show the real-life challenges faced and strategies undertaken in the clinical practice
2. Presentation about artificial intelligence (AI) and on how AI can be used for better and faster exploitation of literature such as “Sense-mining the Literature: How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Us Master the Evidence”
3. Presentation on what can uro-oncologists learn with regards to motivation during the most extreme situations in surgery and oncology by a renowned free climber.

To know more about EMUC22, please explore the congress’ scientific programme now.

EMUC22 will take place from 10 to 13 November 2022 in Budapest, Hungary in conjunction with the 10th Meeting on the EAU Section on Urological Imaging (ESUI22).

Interested in presenting at the congress? Submit your abstract(s) before 1 August 2022 (23:59 CEST) for the opportunity for your research to be part of the EMUC22 stellar scientific programme. Click here for more information.

The post EMUC22: Relevant topics and Prof. Stenzl’s personal highlights appeared first on EMUC25.