Maria Natalia Gandur Quiroga: Immuno-Oncology Advances in Genitourinary Cancers

Maria Natalia Gandur Quiroga shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Immuno-Oncology Advances in Genitourinary Cancers:

Introduction: The last decade has witnessed groundbreaking advances in the field of immuno-oncology (IO), reshaping the treatment landscape of genitourinary cancers. This article delves into the significant strides made in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), urothelial carcinoma (UC), and prostate cancer, emphasizing the pivotal clinical trials and emerging therapies.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): A New Standard in Frontline Therapy RCC has been transformed with IO becoming the standard frontline therapy in metastatic settings. Key trials like CheckMate-214 and KEYNOTE-426 have shown remarkable improvements in response rates and overall survival, marking a transition from the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) era to the immunotherapy era. The combination of IO with TKIs has also shown promise, leading to FDA approval for use in various patient groups.

Urothelial Carcinoma (UC): The Rise of Immunotherapy In UC, the shift towards IO is evident, particularly in the neoadjuvant setting. Trials such as PURE-01 and ABACUS demonstrate impressive pathologic complete response rates with immunotherapy. A significant milestone was achieved with the EV-302 trial, wherein the combination of Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab outperformed traditional platinum-based chemotherapy, setting a new standard in the treatment of metastatic UC.

Prostate Cancer: Overcoming Challenges Prostate cancer presents unique challenges for IO therapies. Despite limited success with checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), new trials like KEYLYNK-010 are exploring combinations of CPIs with PARP inhibitors and radioligands to enhance treatment efficacy.

Germ Cell Tumors and Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Road Ahead These areas still face significant challenges in adopting effective IO therapies. However, ongoing research and clinical trials continue to explore potential treatments, aiming to address these unmet needs.

The Future of IO: Beyond Checkpoints The future of IO lies in exploring beyond traditional checkpoint inhibition. The role of the gut microbiome and T-cell redirecting therapies are areas of exciting development. Personalized treatment strategies based on biomarker-driven approaches are being actively pursued, aiming to optimize patient outcomes.

The advancements in IO have ushered in a new era in the treatment of genitourinary cancers. As we continue to build on these innovations, the future holds promise for more personalized and effective cancer therapies.”

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Source: Maria Natalia Gandur Quiroga/LinkedIn

Maria Natalia Gandur Quiroga is a Medical Oncologist and Chief of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Instituto de Oncología Ángel H. Roffo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires at the Oncologists Post Graduates Studies. Her research focuses on clinical trials with aims to improve the treatment of patients with urologic tumors.  She is an active member of the European Association for Cancer Research, Argentinian Medical Association and American Society of Clinical Oncology.