Podcasts about genitourinary medical oncology

In collaboration with KidneyCAN, CancerNetwork® spoke with Eric Jonasch, MD, a professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology of the Division of Cancer Medicine, and the director of the von Hippel Lindau Center at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, about the missions and goals of the Kidney Cancer Research Consortium. Jonasch is the principal investigator of an effort, supported by a Department of Defense (DoD)–funded grant, that aims to improve the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by developing a network of clinical trial centers that have expertise in both developing and executing new research efforts.  “We want to do the clinical trials that the industry wouldn't do otherwise and do the trials that are going to allow us to gain knowledge faster,” Jonasch said. “We do this by, number one, using novel agents; number 2, using more efficient and innovative clinical trial designs; and, number 3, incorporating correlative studies, including biopsies and various other circulating biomarkers analyses that allow us to get smarter faster.” Many of the ongoing and recently completed trials in the kidney cancer space focused heavily on immune therapy, utilizing checkpoint-blocking antibodies like nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or CTLA-4–blocking agents like ipilimumab (Yervoy). Of the studies moving the space forward, Jonasch highlighted an ongoing phase 1b/2 trial (NCT05501054) evaluating ipilimumab, nivolumab, and ciforadenant (CPI-444), an A2A inhibitor, in RCC along with other trials. During the discussion, Jonasch mentioned the initiative to incorporate biopsies in treatment more frequently, particularly through giving a pre- and post-biopsy to see how the results change during therapy. This approach gives investigators an opportunity to see how cancer cells interact with immune cells.  Additionally, Jonasch stated that they wish to expand their efforts to the broader kidney cancer community, as currently, work in the consortium only takes place in 7 “ivory tower” institutions that may be difficult to access for some patients. One of the ways they're combatting this barrier is through working with the Veterans Affairs hospital system. Once that effort is complete, Jonasch hopes the consortium will be able to start helping more patient groups.  KidneyCAN is a nonprofit organization with a mission to accelerate cures for kidney cancer through education, advocacy, and research funding. You can learn more about KidneyCAN's work here: https://kidneycan.org/ Reference Beckermann K, Rini B, Haas N, George D, Jonasch E. Phase 1b/2 trial of ipilimumab, nivolumab, and ciforadenant (INC) (adenosine A2a receptor antagonist) in first-line advanced renal cell carcinoma. Oncologist. 2023;28(suppl 1):S13–4. doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyad216.022.

Belzutifan was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in previously treated adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma. How should this drug best be incorporated into practice? Eric Jonasch, MD, professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Robert A. Figlin, MD, the Steven Spielberg Family Chair in Hematology-Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center in Los Angeles, discuss how the medication might be used in clinic. Dr. Jonasch also provides insight into the LITESPARK-005 study, which led to the FDA approval, as well as other ongoing trials that may further change the landscape of kidney cancer care.

In this podcast, UROONCO BCa chief editor Dr. Benjamin Pradere (FR) talks to Dr. Arlene O. Siefker-Radtke (US) from the Depart. of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. She answers questions about the recent ASCO23 presentations on metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), where new results of the phase II Norse study, and the phase III THOR study were shared.Phase II Norse study:Dr. Siefker-Radtke elaborates on the study rational and pleasing results of the phase II Norse study: Erdafitinib (erda) vs erda plus cetrelimab (erda+CET) for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) and fibroblast growth factor receptor alterations (FGFRa). Single agent erdafitinib had an objective response rate of around 45%. The combination of erdafitinib and cetrelimab had an objective response rate of around 55%.  Single agent erdafitinib had a progression-free survival (PFS) of around 5.5 months, and the combination arm had a median survival of around 11 months. The median overall survival with erdafitinib alone was around 16 months, whereas the combination had a median overall survival of around 20.8 months.Phase III THOR study: Dr. Siefker discusses the phase III results whereby erda significantly improved overall and PFS, as well as overall response rate, compared with chemotherapy, in patients with advanced or mUC and FGFR alteration who already had been treated with a PD-(L)1 inhibitor. For more details on these studies, you can read the abstracts on the UROONCO educational platform - phase II Norse, phase III THOR.

Dr. Quinn is currently the Medical Director of the Norris Cancer Hospital, the Head of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. He is a medical oncologist and an international expert in the field of clinical trials and molecular correlative studies in genitourinary cancer and early therapeutics.

Host Rick Bangs interviews Dr. Elizabeth Plimack of Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she is the Chief, Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology.  Dr. Plimack is also the Chair of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network's (BCAN's) Scientific Advisory Board. Rick and Dr. Plimack talk about: The importance of supporting bladder cancer research The role of BCAN's Scientific Advisory Board What the Bladder Cancer Think Tank is Resources that BCAN has for bladder cancer patients, caregivers, researchers and doctors. Today's episode is sponored by Merck and we are grateful for their support.

The treatment paradigm for metastatic urothelial carcinoma has shifted significantly over the last decade with immunotherapy and precision medicine.   In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Plimack, chief of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, and Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal, from City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, about metastatic urothelial.    The experts discussed the treatment landscape for this disease, how patients can learn more about their options and what they have to look forward to on the horizon.

In this ANZUP conference highlight, Andrew Weickhardt chats with Betsy Plimack, Chief of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Centre in the US. She talks about the future potential role of genetic mutations in urothelial cancer: can they predict response to treatments or even decide which treatments you should use? They also discuss the use of the new immuno-oncology agents in metastatic kidney cancer: what are the second line options, and how do we measure success of treatments- keep a close ear out for the emerging concept of treatment free survival as the yard stick for the immune-oncology agents.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features an interview with Glenn Bubley, MD, director of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Beth Israel Medical Center  and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the 2009 recipient of the Jack Colbert Memorial Award. On this podcast he discusses the good news about new treatments for metastatic and non-metastatic prostate cancer. Important clinical trials have been performed that have shown that earlier treatment of metastatic disease with combinations of existing agents have provided a major improvement in overall and cancer specific survival. This includes combinations of hormonal agents like Lupron with Abiraterone or Lupron with the chemotherapeutic agent Docetaxel. At the May 10 Prostate Cancer Symposium his session is “Newer Therapeutic Strategies for Advanced Prostate Cancer.” Go here for more information and to register.

The Prostate Cancer Moon Shot at MD Anderson Cancer Center focuses on: reducing overtreatment; combining therapies used in more advanced cases to treat the disease earlier; and developing new, targeted therapies (including immunotherapy) for patients who see little to no benefit from traditional treatment methods. Timothy Thompson, Ph.D., professor in Genitourinary Medical Oncology, discusses the Prostate Cancer Moon Shot progress over the last year.

Cancer immunotherapy treats the immune system rather than the tumor. Jim Allison, Ph.D., professor in Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, has developed an innovative approach that will open doors for treating all types of cancer. Padmanee Sharma, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology, is lead scientist on immunotherapy clinical trials. Listen to Allison and Sharma discuss their collaboration on MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program to develop therapies that unleash patient’s immune systems to attack their cancers.

Cynthia Abarado, DNP, MSN, RN, GNP-BC, Advanced Practice Nurse, Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Cynthia Abarado, DNP, MSN, RN, GNP-BC, Advanced Practice Nurse, Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Cynthia Abarado, DNP, MSN, RN, GNP-BC, Advanced Practice Nurse, Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Cynthia Abarado, DNP, MSN, RN, GNP-BC, Advanced Practice Nurse, Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Christopher Logothetis, M.D., chair and professor, Genitourinary Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, details progress made in the first year of the Prostate Cancer Moon Shot.

Christopher Logothetis, M.D., chair and professor, Genitourinary Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, details progress made in the first year of the Prostate Cancer Moon Shot.

Penile cancer is rare with less than 2,000 men being diagnosed in the US each year and around 26,000 worldwide. If caught early, penile cancer is curable but men tend to ignore symptoms until the disease has advanced. Lance Pagliaro, M.D., professor in Genitourinary Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the basics, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of penile cancer.

Testicular cancer is the most common malignant cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 34, but it could strike at any age. Symptoms are not always obvious and self-examination is not a recommended way to screen for testicular cancer. Lance Pagliaro, M.D., professor in Genitourinary Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the basics, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer.

Of the 50,000 people in the United States who are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year, 90% have renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Standard cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation generally are ineffective when treating kidney tumors. MD Anderson Cancer Center is conducting new research to determine the best drug sequence for fighting this disease. Nizar Tannir, M.D., associate professor in the Genitourinary Medical Oncology department, discusses his kidney cancer clinical trial, Sequential Two-agent Assessment in Renal Cell Carcinoma Therapy (the START trial), as well as provides facts about the disease.