Innovation and Resilience in the Genitourinary Cancer Space

Many advancements have arisen in the genitourinary cancer space.

For patients with bladder cancer, exciting innovations in treatment have arrived, as we detail in this special issue of CURE.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln) with the bacillus CalmetteGuérin (BCG) vaccine for the treatment of adult patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscleinvasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors. The agency has also granted approval to Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This issue provides more information on both of these approvals.

Additionally, antibody-drug conjugates such as Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) are making a big impression on both patients and providers by showing significant survival benefits over chemotherapy, the standard of care for decades, in a landmark trial. One expert, Dr. Bamidele Adesunloye of City of Hope Atlanta, said the treatment option has “revolutionized the way we … look at bladder cancer.”

Elsewhere, we examine the relationship between vitamin D and bone health among patients with prostate cancer, with research showing that while patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy may experience bone mineral density loss from the treatment, those who were vitamin D deficient and took supplements experienced reduced hip and femoral neck bone loss.

We also provide multiple perspectives on radiation therapy, with a look at radiotherapy as a noninvasive treatment option for patients with kidney cancer and, as part of our “Speaking Out” interview series, one physician explained how MRI-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy is a significant advance in the treatment of prostate cancer.

“In terms of radiation oncology, our field seems like it’s changing every year with advancements in technology,” said Dr. Matthew Solhjem, a radiation oncologist with Providence Cancer Institute and The Oregon Clinic. “Even in the past decade, radiation delivery has improved for patients, and this is nationwide, worldwide.”

Beyond treatment advances, we also explore the emotional aspect of a cancer journey, with an article on the potential impact of humor in testicular cancer.

This issue of CURE highlights the relentless pursuit of better therapies and the power of resilience. As always, we hope you find our stories inspirational and informative. Thank you for reading.

Mike Hennessy Jr.

President & CEO

MJH Life Sciences

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