Highlights From Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Think Tank 2025 by Shilpa Gupta
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Think Tank 2025 (BCANTT 2025) was held July 30 to August 1 in Washington, DC, marking the 20th year of bringing together researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and industry leaders.
The event highlighted the latest advances in bladder cancer research and treatment, including innovative clinical trial designs, new therapeutic models, insights into early‑onset disease, and the role of nutrition and the microbiome in immunotherapy. Patient perspectives were integrated throughout the discussions to help shape future research priorities.
Shilpa Gupta, Director of Genitourinary Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic, shared highlights from BCANTT25 on X:
“Honored to chair the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network TT25 with my co-chair Max Kates marking the 20th anniversary of BCAN.
Grateful to be part of a community where collaboration drives innovation—and where patients remain at the center of everything we do.
Excited about the high impact sessions lined up with all faculty.”
“Congrats Dimitra R. Bakaloudi on your Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network John Quale Travel Fellowship under the mentorship of Petros Grivas.”
“Excited to have Seth Paul Lerner and Andrea Apolo kick off the session on ‘Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials‘ at BCANTT25. Looking forward to insights from a stellar lineup of Principal Investigators behind key trials—positive, negative, and unfinished.
Every trial teaches us and helps move the field forward! As Jonathan Rosenberg put it ‘From Lemons to Lemonade’ CALGB90601.”
“Honored to co-chair our Year 2 session on ‘Young Onset Bladder Cancer’ with Ashish M. Kamat after a very well received inaugural session at TT24. Great to hear from our patient advocates Kristen Watts and Melanie Pepin
Thanks to our international speaker Mario I Fernandez who reviewed the environmental risks of Arsenic on bladderca in Chile.
Thanks Stephanie Chisolm on launching the New faces of bladder care survey.
A lot of work needed to be done and excited about the launch of International Bladder Cancer Group initiative to tackle this unmet need.”
“An excellent session chaired by Sia Daneshmand on evolving strategies after EV-pembro in bladder cancer.
BCANTT25 Excellent multidisciplinary panel sharing insights.
Great to have a patient advocate at the table!
Lot of unanswered questions re: consolidation survey, radiation approaches, managing local recurrences etc.”
“Such an amazing presentation by Ruchika Talwar breaking down the convoluted and confusing questions impacting financial toxicity.
Eye opening stats on health expenditures in USA, the country spending most on healthcare and highest amount on drugs compared to other countries.
Great session on navigating financial toxicity in bladder cancer chaired by Parminder Singh, Matthew Mossanen and Ruchika Talwar.”
“And it’s a wrap for BCANTT25! Grateful for the opportunity to chair alongside my partner-in-crime Max Kates this special 20th anniversary meeting.
From high-quality talks and science to vibrant networking and inspiring young investigators — what an incredible time absorbing and brainstorming new ideas and discussing controversial topics affecting bladder cancer patients.
The beauty of BCAN is always the patient being at the center of everything.
Thanks to everyone who made this meeting a success.”
More posts featuring BCANTT25.
-
Challenging the Status Quo in Colorectal Cancer 2024
December 6-8, 2024
-
ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
-
ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
-
Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
-
OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
-
Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023