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Dr. Park shares the three biggest takeaways, in his opinion, to have come out of the ASCO GU Symposium, highlighting studies across kidney, bladder and prostate cancers.

Biomarkers, Genetic Testing and More Make Way in GU Cancers

Dr. Chandler Park helps patients with genitourinary cancers, including both prostate and bladder, understand the importance of genetic testing.

There is a Growing Need For Genetic Testing and Precision Medicine in GU Cancers

The addition of nab-paclitaxel to gemcitabine and cisplatin did not improve survival in advanced biliary tract cancer.

GAP Regimen May Not Improve Survival in Biliary Tract Cancer Subset

Although carbon ion radiation led to a decline in urinary function among patients with prostate cancer, function returned to normal after three months. 

Patients With Prostate Cancer Experience Temporary Urinary Function Decline After CIRT

Patients with HRR-deficient metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer experienced a 14-month gain in OS and a 38% lower death risk with Talzenna plus Xtandi.

Talzenna Plus Xtandi May Improve Survival in mCRPC

Dr. Guru Sonpavde emphasized the importance of better understanding how genetic mutations influence the treatment of cancer care, particularly GU cancers.

Better Understanding Genetic Mutations Influence in Cancer Care

2025 ASCO Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium

, Dr. Guru P. Sonpavde sat down for an interview with CURE® to discuss genetic testing and the importance of precision medicine in cancer care.

Sonpavde, the medical director of Genitourinary Oncology, an assistant director of the Clinical Research Unit, and the Christopher K. Glanz Chair for Bladder Cancer Research at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, located in Orlando, Florida, emphasized the importance of better understanding how genetic mutations influence the treatment of cancer care, particularly in GU cancers, and went on to discuss the potential of precision care.

Precision medicine still has a ways to go. As we know, we use biomarkers in prostate and bladder cancer; obviously genomic or germline alterations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 has had a big impact on the use of PARP inhibitors. Of course, we also know that the tumor agnostic approval of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) based on microsatellite instability does have an impact across most cancers; in prostate cancer, that does apply.

In bladder cancer, at this time, the FGFR3 mutations/fusions that allows us to give Balversa [erdafitinib]. We are also looking for HER2. With HER2 [positivity], Enhertu [fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki] is approved as a pan-tumor approval label. Therefore, we look for those biomarkers in bladder cancer.

In renal cell carcinoma, it's a little unclear at the moment. The one biomarker that's looking interesting is the KIM-1, the circulating proteomic biomarker, which could be a reasonable biomarker for minimal residual disease. It seems to correlate with the recurrence of tumor post-operation. It also seems to correlate with long-term outcomes in the immune checkpoint inhibitor setting, as shown at the ASCO GU Symposium, [with the use of] Yervoy [ipilimumab] and Opdivo [nivolumab]. [Therefore], I think that biomarkers are emerging.

To add, I will say the minimal residual disease informs circulating tumor DNA [ctDNA] to select patients for adjuvant Opdivo. [On that note], immune checkpoint inhibition is being used in the community, however, prospective validation is still ongoing. For example, the IMvigor011 trial used ctDNA data to guide adjuvant therapy, as well as [guide] therapy at the time of transforming from ctDNA-negative to ctDNA-positive… Hopefully more data will come out from the IMvigor011 trial to further guide [this treatment].

There is a trial ongoing that allows patients to be de-intensified or intensified in terms of adjuvant therapy for high-risk muscle-invasive bladder cancer based on ctDNA-positive or -negative [status]. Overall, I think that all of these studies, when they mature, will bring precision medicine based on tumor alterations as well as MRD information to guide therapy.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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Precision medicine in genitourinary (GU) cancers is advancing through the use of biomarkers and genetic testing. Key developments include the impact of BRCA1/2 mutations on PARP inhibitor use, and the tumor-agnostic approval of pembrolizumab for microsatellite instability. In bladder cancer, FGFR3 mutations and HER2 positivity guide treatment with erdafitinib and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki, respectively. Emerging biomarkers like KIM-1 in renal cell carcinoma and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are being explored for guiding adjuvant therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition, with ongoing trials expected to refine precision medicine strategies.

Dr. Park sat down for an interview with CURE® to discuss the key takeaways from the 2025 Annual ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

An Expert Highlights His Key Takeaways From The 2025 ASCO GU Symposium 

2025 Annual ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

, Dr. Chandler Park sat down for an interview with 

® to discuss the key takeaways from the meeting. One of the key messages that he highlighted was the importance of genetic testing.

In the interview he stated: “I would highly encourage that whenever you see an oncologist… ask for genetic testing — not just germline testing, but somatic.”

In the interview, he went on to highlight the importance of precision medicine, as well as discuss key trials in genitourinary cancers to come out of the ASCO GU Symposium. Read here for more of our interview with Park, a medical oncologist of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, at the Norton Healthcare Institute, in Louisville, Kentucky.

One key [takeaway from the ASCO GU Symposium] is for patients that have prostate cancer [or those with] family and loved ones [with prostate cancer]. It is important to [speak with] your oncologist. I help out at the medical schools, and I can sense that certain people go into oncology because they love people, and [these people] are open to feedback. Therefore, I would highly encourage that whenever you see an oncologist, if you have a history of prostate cancer in the family, ask for genetic testing — not just germline testing, but somatic.

[Speaking to] bladder cancer, there was another study that was updated, and this is something that all patients and their family members should know about, and that's called the phase 3 NIAGARA study. This is something that's applicable today. So, what's the NIAGRA study? The NIAGRA study evaluated patients in which we want to get a high cure rate. Previously, for patients that had cystectomy, the standard of care was chemotherapy, surgery and then afterwards was to watch followed by consideration of immunotherapy, but there was no overall survival.

However, based on the ASCO GU update, if a patient received chemotherapy with an immunotherapy called Imfinzi (durvalumab), they had a much higher chance, that after surgery, they would remain cured. Everybody today that has stage 2 bladder cancer and received treatment before the surgery should ask their medical oncologist for chemotherapy and an immunotherapy. Then, after surgery, maybe even consider immunotherapy afterwards. That's something I would encourage.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education,

don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

An Expert Highlights His Key Takeaways From The 2025 ASCO GU Symposium

Dr. Chandler Park discusses the importance of genetic testing and personalized care in patients with genitourinary cancers.

Personalized Medicine Makes Strides Across the GU Oncology Treatment Space

Patients with genitourinary cancers such as kidney, bladder or prostate cancer should ask their doctor about precision medicine, which tailors treatment based on genetic testing, according to Dr. Chandler Park.

For example, some patients with kidney cancer with specific gene mutations may benefit from targeted therapy, while those with stage 4 bladder cancer should check for FGFR3 or HER2 mutations to see if they qualify for more effective treatments. In prostate cancer, genetic testing for BRCA and other mutations can help guide treatment choices. In an interview with CURE®, Park discusses the importance of genetic testing and personalized medicine, as this approach ensures patients receive the most effective and personalized care.

Park is a medical oncologist of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, at the Norton Healthcare Institute, in Louisville, Kentucky.

One of the things about genitourinary cancers is every patient — whether you have kidney cancer, bladder cancer or prostate cancer — needs to be evaluated for precision medicine. This is something I would share with my patients and their family members: ask for precision medicine. For example, let's say a patient has kidney cancer and they have specific gene mutations, such as von Hippel Lindell (VHL) germline mutations. If they do, I would consider them for evaluation by a genetic counselor to see if they have a condition called von Hippel Lindell disease, and in the future, I would consider them for treatment with a medication called Welireg [belzutifan]; that's a precision medicine now.

In bladder cancer… there has been an explosion of precision medicine. There are three highlights that I would talk about with somebody with bladder cancer to chat with their oncologist about. First — specifically in stage 4 disease — do I have a gene mutation? Do I have a gene mutation called FGFR3, because if you do, you can receive a medication called Balversa [erdafitinib]. [This agent] has a strong 40% to 45% response rate and is better than chemotherapy. The second thing that's emerged in the last six months is asking your oncologist, if you have a gene mutation called HER2. HER2 is something that oncologists know in terms of the breast cancer world, but if a patient has stage 4 bladder cancer and they have a HER2 gene mutation, there's a 60% to 65% chance that if they receive a medication called Enhertu [fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki], that it would work. I would ask if they have a HER2 gene mutation.

In terms of prostate cancer and precision medicine, we have to check for BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CDK12, [and others]. I would ask, in terms of, when you see the oncologist, whether you have prostate, kidney or bladder cancer, ask that oncologist about the role of precision medicine and the role of next-generation sequencing. This way, you are or your family member is receiving, precision medicine, which is the best treatment for their specific cancer.

Dr. Guru P Sonpavde discusses updated data from studies like EV-302 and CheckMate 274 for patients with urothelial cancer at the 2025 ASCO GU meeting.

An Expert Explains Updated Data For Patients With GU Cancers

Updated data from studies like EV-302 and CheckMate 274 were presented at the 

2025 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

, reinforcing the role of their respective therapies among patients with urothelial carcinoma, according to Dr. Guru P Sonpavde.

Sonpavde sat down for an interview with CURE at the 2025 meeting to discuss the key takeaways from the meeting for patients with genitourinary cancers. He currently serves as the medical director of Genitourinary Oncology, is an assistant director of the Clinical Research Unit, and the Christopher K. Glanz Chair for Bladder Cancer Research at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, located in Orlando, FL.

I will say that the [data to come out of this meeting] is practice impacting, but not practice changing. This is because [we had confirming data]. For example, we had further follow-up on the EV 302 trial

 confirming the data for Padcev and Keytruda [enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab] as a first-line therapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma. One thing we saw in this study is the survival improvement holds up, with a complete response rate of about 30% and [it was reported] that the median duration of response is around 23 months, or close to two years, which was impressive. The duration of complete responses has still not been reached, which is also impressive, and hopefully it's more than [what we have seen, previously]. I believe that Padcev and Keytruda position’s itself as the preferred first-line therapy based on this longer follow up data.

Additionally, there was data [shared] on the treatment of adjuvant Opdivo [nivolumab] in the CheckMate 274 trial, which is already a positive trial for disease-free survival, and is FDA-approved in patients regardless of PD-1 status. This is approved as an adjuvant therapy for high-risk muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma. There was survival follow-up and it showed, of course, a significant trend for it's a secondary end point, but again, it [confirms] the position of adjuvant nivolumab in this adjuvant setting.

Conference

At the 2024 ESMO Congress, CURE® spoke with an expert about Fotivda and certain challenges patients may experience, such as side effects. 

Challenges to Consider While Receiving Fotivda for Kidney Cancer

It’s important for patients with renal clear cell (RCC) carcinoma — a common type of kidney cancer — to consider the challenges associated with receiving Fotivda (tivozanib).

Fotivda is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to treat patients with renal clear cell carcinoma. Eligible patients experienced cancer relapse (returned) and had not improved after at least two previous lines of systemic therapy, according to the National Cancer Institute.

approved Fotivda for this patient population

Common side effects associated with the treatment of Fotivda alone include hypertension (high blood pressure) and diarrhea. However, because the drug has been around for several years, care teams are more equipped to help patients manage VEGF TKI-related side effects, Dr. Toni K. Choueiri explained to CURE® at the 

Choueiri is a medical oncologist and director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and co-leader of the Kidney Cancer Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Cancer Center, both in Boston.

Navigating Nutrition, Frailty During Kidney or Bladder Cancer Is Key

At ESMO, Choueiri sat down with CURE® to discuss Fotivda and what patients should expect regarding side effects.

[Fotivda (tivozanib)] is a very clean VEGF TKI, actually, the side effect profile having been compared in a randomized phase 3 [trial], to cabozantinib, [Lenvima (lenvatinib)], mostly to [Nexavar (sorafenib)] in the TIVO-3 study.

But I can tell you, it's on target [with] VEGF toxicity. You see hypertension, you see diarrhea. The half-life (amount of time for the body to process the drug’s dose in half) is short, and it's been on in our hands for some time. So, we know how to reduce doses [and] increase again [or] hold the drug. It needs constant care for hypertension, diarrhea, etc. But our team here, including our providers [and] nursing staff, have been quite familiar for some time with managing VEGF TKI side effects.

This transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Walking up and down the street a few times a day can help prevent patients with kidney or bladder cancers from becoming deconditioned.

Being Active Can Help Frailty After Cancer Treatment

When considering health-related quality of life, it’s important to think about the “small changes” patients with kidney or bladder cancers can make at home, an expert told CURE®.

Health-related quality of life refers to the “ability to live a fulfilling life” based on the impacts of a person’s health, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. This also plays a role in functioning, whether it’s physical, psychological or social.

health-related quality of life factors, such as frailty

, patients should remain active because they can become “deconditioned very quickly,” Dr. Eric A. Singer, a urologic oncologist and chief, Division of Urologic Oncology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, said during an interview with CURE®.

“We can make some changes,” he said. “Even small changes add up over time.”

Singer sat down with CURE® to discuss the steps patients with kidney or bladder cancers can take to help manage their health-related quality of life.

[Be] attentive to their comorbidities. Cancer is a scary, scary thing, but we can't just focus on that and ignore diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), or other things that are going on. Being active — so getting up and moving, even if it's not much, just to begin that process. People can become deconditioned very quickly, even [after] a couple days of resting on the couch or the recliner. You can begin to see a decline in what they're able to do, so really thinking about it, so we can get an assessment [and] we can see how people are doing. Then we can make some changes, and even small changes add up over time.

Even just walking, starting small, [by] walking up and down your street doesn't require any weights, doesn't require any special equipment, just to be doing that. Of course, if somebody has issues with [their] knees, or hips or arthritis or other things, there are other things we can get them doing to be active. But again, just trying to avoid being sedentary, and sitting in the same place or sitting for most of the day. Then again, not easy, even if we're just doing a few walks a day that builds up over time, and you're gonna see that stamina improve. And that can be a real benefit.

Side Effect Management

Dana Frost, a cancer survivor and grief advocate, said writing about survivors’ guilt and connecting with others feeling the same way was therapeutic. 

Connection May Help With Survivors’ Guilt

Survivors’ guilt is a common feeling when someone loses a loved one to cancer, but sharing stories and letting others know that they are not alone in that feeling could be therapeutic, according to Dana Frost.

Frost is a Hodgkin lymphoma survivor and founded the Forced Joy Project after her husband, Bradford Frost, was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. After her spouse’s death, Frost said that she struggled with survivor’s guilt, but found solace in writing about it and connecting with others.

 Grief Advocate Explains the Difference Between Forced Joy and Toxic Positivity

“I think that the more that we can talk about and normalize these difficult things, we’re just paving the path and the way for other people [who] are coming later, for them to give themselves permission to feel all the feelings that are coming up,” Frost said in an interview with CURE®.

I don't know why we feel guilty. I wish we didn't. If I could remove any feeling, it would be the guilt. But I think survivor's guilt is a big one [when] continuing to live after you've lost a loved one. There's so much guilt associated with that. How can I possibly find anything joyful when this person has died or, I've survived and they didn't?

So, I think there's a lot of guilt of just living after diagnosis after a death.

Brad died over seven years ago, and it's still something that I struggle with. I'm able to quiet it and I handle it very differently [than I used to]. But it was really prevalent for the first couple of years. I wrote about it, I think I was very open about those feelings, which, again, we don't talk about all of the hard things that we're experiencing in a diagnosis after the death of a loved one. So that felt like therapy of being like, “This is what's going through my head, my heart, my body right now,” and to find other people that felt the same way to be like, “Oh, this is not uncommon. This is not abnormal to feel these feelings.” I think the more that we can talk about and normalize these difficult things, we’re just paving the path and the way for other people [who] are coming later for them to give themselves permission to feel all the feelings that are coming up.

Dana Frost, a cancer survivor and grief advocate, said writing about survivors’ guilt and connecting with others feeling the same way was therapeutic.

Genitourinary Cancers

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