Bladder Cancer

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) for Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Staging: A Guide for Clinicians from the American College of Radiology VI-RADS Steering Committee.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 41176432

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Staging of bladder cancer (BC) remains a cornerstone of treatment planning, especially in distinguishing non-muscle-invasive BC (NMIBC) from muscle-invasive BC (MIBC). Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), together with the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) and its neoadjuvant chemotherapy version (nacVI-RADS), has emerged as a noninvasive, standardised tool for local staging and response assessment. Our aim was to provide urologists with a practical, up-to-…

Optimal Management of Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Recommendations from the International Bladder Cancer Group.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 41724648

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is evolving rapidly with the emergence of new perioperative treatments and approaches for bladder preservation. We provide guidance on clinical staging and optimal therapeutic sequencing for patients with MIBC in clinical practice and within the context of clinical trial design. METHODS: The International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) convened global experts in bladder cancer to develop recommendations for the management of MIBC and to …

Guidelines from the cancer (CCAFU) and infection disease (CI-AFU) committees of the French Association of Urology for the management of adverse events and complications of BCG.

The French journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 41997566

INTRODUCTION: Intravesical instillations of BCG are recommended for the treatment of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, their prolonged use remains limited by potentially serious adverse events (AEs) or complications. The aim of this article is to provide updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AEs or complications of intravesical BCG instillations. MATERIALS: A review of the literature was performed using Medline (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and Embase (http://www.embase.co…

Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of adverse effects of intravesical BCG.

Actas urologicas espanolas · 2026 · PMID 42413606

Intravesical Calmette-Guérin bacillus (BCG) instillation is the treatment of choice after transurethral resection of intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors (NMIBT). However, adverse effects (AEs) of BCG are common and can compromise adherence to treatment. Therefore, a group of experts in urology, hospital pharmacy and nursing reviewed the most recent literature and developed a series of practical recommendations for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of adverse events (AEs) asso…

Bladder Cancer, Version 1.2026, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2026 · PMID 42140269

The NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer provide strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer, which is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Bladder cancer can be divided into 3 categories along a clinical spectrum: (1) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer; (2) muscle-invasive bladder cancer; and (3) metastatic bladder cancer, with most patients falling into the category of non-muscle-invasive disease. Thus, the selected content featured in this issue specifically…

EAU Guidelines on Nonmuscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (TaT1 and CIS) - A Summary of the 2026 Guidelines Update.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 42457459

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This publication represents a summary of the updated 2026 European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), TaT1 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). The information presented herein is limited to urothelial carcinoma, unless specified otherwise. The aim is to provide practical recommendations on the clinical management of NMIBC, with a focus on clinical presentation. METHODS: For the 2026 guidelines on NMIBC, new and relevant evidence was identified, …

Guidelines of the Oncology Committee of the French Association of Urology (CCAFU) and the Infectious Diseases Committee of the French Association of Urology (CIAFU) for Intravesical Instillation of Mitomycin C, Epirubicin, and BCG in NMIBC.

The French journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42362158

INTRODUCTION: Intravesical instillations of mitomycin C, epirubicin, and BCG are considered as the standard of care for most patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). These guidelines aim to optimize intravesical instillations in order to improve their efficacy and decrease morbidity. MATERIAL: An analysis of good practice, available regulations, and published guidelines was conducted through an online literature search in French and English using Medline® and Embase®, up to December 2025. The follo…

Consensus-Based Development of a Surgical Checklist for Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: An Initiative of the Japanese Society of Urologic Oncology.

International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association · 2026 · PMID 42477956

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a nationwide, consensus-based surgical checklist to standardize transurethral resection of bladder tumor procedures and documentation. METHODS: In 2025, the Japanese Society of Urologic Oncology convened a working group of 20 bladder cancer specialist urologists to develop a national surgical checklist for transurethral resection of bladder tumors. A 12-member steering committee reviewed available evidence and proposed 30 candidate items. Using a modified Delphi approach, all …

Blue versus white light for transurethral resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2026 · PMID 42274003

RATIONALE: Disease recurrence and progression remain major challenges in the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Blue light-enhanced transurethral resection of bladder cancer (TURBT) is an approach to improve staging and achieve a complete resection of NMIBC. Since the first version of this review was published in 2021, new evidence on this topic has become available. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of blue light-enhanced TURBT compared to white light-based TURBT in the treatment of non-muscl…

Prognostic Role of Different T1 Substaging Systems on Recurrence and Progression in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 41241655

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different substaging methods have been proposed for risk stratification of T1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer; however, no consensus exists. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the prognostic value of various T1 substaging systems. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify reports published until January 2025, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Me…

Adiposity and cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Nature metabolism · 2026 · PMID 42297908

Obesity is a major health challenge. Here we show that body mass index is positively associated with risk of 19 cancers and inversely associated with 3, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies of 25 cancer types. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus through to 23 April 2025, identifying 226 articles comprising 1.5 million incident cancers. We identified positive associations for leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder cancer and glioma, not previously identified by major consensus re…

Update of the EORTC Health-related Quality of Life Modules for Bladder Cancer: Phase 1-2 of the Development Process.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 42191529

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the existing European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-NMIBC24 and QLQ-BLM30 modules remain fit for purpose and to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) issues relevant for patients with metastatic bladder cancer (mBC). METHODS: Following the EORTC Quality of Life Group (QLG) guidelines, phase 1 included an expert meeting, five systematic reviews, and interviews with 14 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 48 bladder cancer (BC) pati…

Aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herbal medicine and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan: a narrative review.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 35867141

PURPOSE: The high incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in Taiwan is largely due to exposure to aristolochic acid (AA), a principal component of Aristolochia-based herbal medicines. Here we systematically review the molecular epidemiology, clinical presentation and biomarkers associated with AA-induced UTUC. METHODS: This is a narrative review. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 31, 2021. Studies evaluating the association, detection, and clinical cha…

Pan-cancer multi-omics machine learning defines a lactylation-associated immune-excluded tumor state with proteomic and experimental corroboration.

Computational biology and chemistry · 2026 · PMID 42556016

BACKGROUND: Histone lactylation links lactate metabolism to chromatin regulation, but whether lactylation-program-associated transcriptional patterns delineate recurrent pan-cancer tumor states remains unclear. METHODS: We integrated mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA profiles from 9712 TCGA tumors across 33 cancer types with GTEx references, six GEO cohorts, IMvigor210, and an institutional clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cohort used for exploratory DIA-NN proteomic corroboration. Random-effects co-expression meta-an…

Unmet Treatment Need and Challenges Associated with Comparative Evidence Generation in BCG-unresponsive Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: An Expert Consensus.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 42215335

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of this modified Delphi panel study was to develop a consensus of European expert clinical opinion on unmet need, clinical evidence generation, and appropriate trial endpoints in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: A panel of European clinical experts participated (N = 12, n = 9 at consensus meeting). Consensus statements and topics were developed and tested in online surveys conducted in January-February an…

Clinical application of bladder MRI and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System.

Nature reviews. Urology · 2024 · PMID 38036666

Diagnostic work-up and risk stratification in patients with bladder cancer before and after treatment must be refined to optimize management and improve outcomes. MRI has been suggested as a non-invasive technique for bladder cancer staging and assessment of response to systemic therapy. The Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System (VI-RADS) was developed to standardize bladder MRI image acquisition, interpretation and reporting and enables accurate prediction of muscle-wall invasion of bladder cancer. MRI is avai…

Bladder Preservation After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer in the Current Era: Myth and Reality.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 41261008

Bladder preservation after neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer remains investigational. While randomized validation is awaited, growing prospective data, consensus standardization, and biomarker-driven strategies are transforming bladder-sparing strategies from an empirical alternative into a disciplined, evidence-maturing paradigm towards bladder-intact cure.

MRI based unsuperviced clustering on MIBC reveals intratumor heterogeneity phenotypes and neoadjuvant chemotherapy efficacy.

Cancer imaging : the official publication of the International Cancer Imaging Society · 2026 · PMID 41742305

BACKGROUND: To develop and validate a non-invasive imaging-based intratumor heterogeneity (IITH) framework for risk stratification in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and to investigate its association with survival outcomes and molecular subtypes. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, 437 MIBC patients were enrolled (237 patients of discovery cohort and 102 patients of validation cohort predominantly underwent radical cystectomy (RC); 98 patients of NAC cohort received three to four cycles of gemc…

Added value of synthetic MRI in refining biparametric MRI VI-RADS for predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Abdominal radiology (New York) · 2026 · PMID 41553526

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of synthetic MRI (SyMRI)-derived T1 and T2 values in predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and assess the feasibility of integrating them into the biparametric MRI Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (bpVI-RADS). METHODS: This prospective dual-center study included 42 patients (mean age: 71.90 ± 9.70 years, 90.5% male, 23.8% MIBC) with histologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma who underwent bladder MRI. Two radiologists independently assigned bpVI-RADS…

A Long Noncoding RNA-based Classifier for Identifying More Aggressive Low-grade Ta Bladder Cancer with Elevated FGFR3 Activity.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 41763905

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Low-grade, stage Ta (TaLG) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is generally nonaggressive; yet, some patients experience recurrence or progression. We previously identified long noncoding RNA cluster 2 (LC2) as an aggressive TaLG subgroup via consensus clustering, which required a cohort-level analysis. We developed a single-sample transcriptome classifier for patient-level LC2 identification. METHODS: Using the UROMOL cohort (n = 276) for training/testing and the Hurst (Stage-strat…

Intraoperative Skills for Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: Objective Assessment and Construct Validity of the ENTRY Metrics.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 41412888

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is one of the procedures most often performed by trainee urologists. ENTRY is a cooperative partnership aimed at improving the training of urology residents. Metrics for TURBT were published after a Delphi consensus process involving experts. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity (via known-group and convergent validity) of objective metrics for characterizing the intraoperative performance of TUTBT as op…

Active surveillance in low-grade NMIBC - results of an international two-round modified Delphi consensus.

Nature reviews. Urology · 2026 · PMID 41922791

Standard management for recurrent low-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (LG-NMIBC) often involves a substantial treatment burden, which is not justified by the relatively indolent course of the disease, prompting a need for de-intensification strategies. Active surveillance (AS) is an alternative approach aimed at reducing overtreatment in selected patients. However, the broader adoption of AS is hindered by a lack of standardized protocols for patient selection, monitoring and intervention. To address this …

Clinical advances and practice updates in genitourinary cancers: a 2025 review from the multidisciplinary Spanish 'Cambados annual meeting'.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2026 · PMID 42249197

The annual 'Cambados Consensus Forum on Genitourinary Tumors', held in Pontevedra, Spain, was convened again in October 2025, maintaining its central objective of reviewing and discussing recent therapeutic advances in genitourinary cancers. This multidisciplinary, 2-day meeting, organized by the Santiago de Compostela Health Research Institute (IDIS), brought together leading Spanish experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and urology to examine the latest developments in prostate cancer, renal cell carci…

Pathological assessment of morcellated tissue after ERBT: insights from a two-round Delphi survey.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42101641

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pathological adequacy of morcellated ERBT specimens using a two-round Delphi methodology and to establish expert consensus among leading pathologists worldwide. METHODS: Core pathological parameters relevant for ERBT specimens were predefined, and representative high-quality digital slides of morcellated ERBT specimens were selected. These images were reviewed by an international panel of expert uropathologists with extensive experience in bladder cancer. A two-round Delphi survey was condu…

[Management of ocular adverse events associated with antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of solid tumors: a consensus statement from Chinese experts (2025 edition)].

Zhonghua zhong liu za zhi [Chinese journal of oncology] · 2026 · PMID 41876197

In recent years, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have achieved remarkable progress in the treatment of solid tumors and are now widely applied in malignancies such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer, demonstrating favorable clinical efficacy. However, with their expanding clinical use, safety challenges associated with ADCs have become increasingly apparent. Among these, ocular adverse events have received limited attention in the past but is now …

Artificial intelligence for predicting BCG response in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42605566

OBJECTIVES: To systematically identify, appraise and synthesise artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) models that predict treatment response and clinical outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), a setting in which current risk calculators underperform, and identifying non-responders has become urgent as alternatives to BCG enter practice. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched through April 2026 following the Preferr…

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) with or without immune checkpoint blockade in BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42556596

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 75% of bladder cancers. Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection followed by BCG instillation, 30-40% of patients relapse. We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus BCG versus BCG alone in BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data (rIPD) meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Individual patient data were re…

Utility of MRI in NMIBC and feasibility of avoiding Re-TURB in carefully selected patients: a systematic review.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 39883196

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to synthesize current research on the role of repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) and the emerging use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in discerning patient suitability for safely foregoing this procedure. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Employing a methodical literature search, we consulted several bibliographic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase. The review process adhered strictly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Syst…

Assessment of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Genomic Biomarkers Using Artificial Intelligence: a Systematic Review.

Current urology reports · 2024 · PMID 38099997

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of the systematic review is to assess AI's capabilities in the genetics of prostate cancer (PCa) and bladder cancer (BCa) to evaluate target groups for such analysis as well as to assess its prospects in daily practice. RECENT FINDINGS: In total, our analysis included 27 articles: 10 articles have reported on PCa and 17 on BCa, respectively. The AI algorithms added clinical value and demonstrated promising results in several fields, including cancer detection, assessment of cancer develop…

Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors for urothelial carcinoma: systematic review and Meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39023778

PURPOSE: To compare disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) among muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) patients receiving adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) versus placebo/observation following radical surgery. METHODS: This was a systematic review/meta-analysis of all published phase 3 randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception until April 4, 2024. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and relative risks (RR), plus confidence i…

Secondary tumours in orthotopic neobladder using isolated gut segment post radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 37733124

BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma recurrence of an orthotopic neobladder created from bowel segment is a rare occurrence. The usage of bowel segments to create neobladder following cystectomy for urinary diversion is growing yet there still remains a large gap in the literature about recurrence in neobladder. We carry out the first systematic review to outline current details of urothelial cancer recurrences in a neobladder, diagnostic approach, management and long term prognosis. METHOD: We carried out a systematic…

Time-varying prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA in urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and reconstructed patient-data meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42679916

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) increasingly guides adjuvant therapy and surveillance in urothelial carcinoma (UC), yet whether its prognostic effect is adequately summarized by a single pooled hazard ratio (HR), which assumes proportional hazards (PH), has not been formally evaluated. We searched five sources for studies reporting ctDNA prognostic associations across non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive (MIBC), upper-tract and metastatic UC. HRs for unfavorable versus favorable ctDNA were pooled by Bayesian random-e…

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes associated with renal or bladder cancer: case series and PRISMA-IPD systematic review.

Journal of neurology · 2023 · PMID 36050418

BACKGROUND: The link between paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) and renal cell and bladder cancer (RCC/BC) is rare and uncertain. Our aim was to clinically evaluate, in light of the updated PNS criteria, these uncommon associations. METHODS: Retrospective nationwide cohort chart review study and systematic review of the literature. RESULTS: After excluding 5 patients due to the diagnosis of another co-occurrent malignancy, 10/18 patients with RCC and 8/18 patients with BC were identified. A total of 31 cas…

Aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herbal medicine and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan: a narrative review.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 35867141

PURPOSE: The high incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in Taiwan is largely due to exposure to aristolochic acid (AA), a principal component of Aristolochia-based herbal medicines. Here we systematically review the molecular epidemiology, clinical presentation and biomarkers associated with AA-induced UTUC. METHODS: This is a narrative review. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 31, 2021. Studies evaluating the association, detection, and clinical cha…

Urinary biomarkers for bladder cancer diagnosis and NMIBC follow-up: a systematic review.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 36592175

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer detection and follow-up is based on cystoscopy and/or cytology, but it remains imperfect and invasive. Current research focuses on diagnostic biomarkers that could improve bladder cancer detection and follow-up by discriminating patients at risk of aggressive cancer who need confirmatory TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour) from patients at no risk of aggressive cancer who could be spared from useless explorations. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of data on the clin…

Gender-specific counselling of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma and Lynch syndrome.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 36964236

PURPOSE: Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant genetic syndrome resulting in a wide spectrum of malignancies caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair genes (MMR). Gene mutations have different effects and penetrance between the two genders. The aim of this review is to offer a gender-specific evidence-based clinical guide on diagnosis, screening, surveillance, and counselling of UTUC patients with LS. METHODS: Using MEDLINE, a non-systematic review was performed including articles between 2004 and 202…

Postoperative radiotherapy after radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Patient selection, target delineation and contemporary evidence.

Cancer radiotherapie : journal de la Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique · 2026 · PMID 42933265

Following radical cystectomy, muscle-invasive bladder cancer remains associated with a substantial risk of locoregional recurrence, particularly in patients with pT3-4 disease, nodal involvement, positive surgical margins, or limited pelvic lymph node dissection. Historically, adjuvant radiotherapy reduced pelvic recurrence rates but was largely abandoned because of toxicity concerns associated with older radiation techniques. The development of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy, contempor…

Design and rationale of a single-arm phase II study of neoadjuvant Durvalumab and Gemcitabine associated with Cisplatin or Carboplatin for upper urinary tract urothelial cancer: the iNDUCT trial (NCT04617756).

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37698632

BACKGROUND: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is often locally advanced at initial diagnosis and is associated with high recurrence and mortality rates after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy has shown a recurrence-free survival benefit in a randomised phase III trial, while neoadjuvant treatment seems promising in retrospective series. On the contrary, little is known about the role of perioperative immunotherapy and its combination with chemotherapy for UTUC pati…

Clinical application of bladder MRI and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System.

Nature reviews. Urology · 2024 · PMID 38036666

Diagnostic work-up and risk stratification in patients with bladder cancer before and after treatment must be refined to optimize management and improve outcomes. MRI has been suggested as a non-invasive technique for bladder cancer staging and assessment of response to systemic therapy. The Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System (VI-RADS) was developed to standardize bladder MRI image acquisition, interpretation and reporting and enables accurate prediction of muscle-wall invasion of bladder cancer. MRI is avai…

Perioperative Immunotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Current treatment options in oncology · 2023 · PMID 37428331

There is an acute unmet need to develop novel treatment regimens in the perioperative setting since many patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) are not eligible for the current standard of care (SOC) neoadjuvant treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), both as monotherapy and in combination regimens with other ICIs, chemotherapy, or targeted drugs, may provide safe and clinically effective treatment options that could revolutionize current st…

Plasma cfDNA fragmentomics enables non-invasive detection and preoperative risk stratification of bladder cancer in a multicenter study.

Cancer letters · 2026 · PMID 42759922

Accurate non-invasive tools for bladder cancer detection and preoperative assessment of muscle invasion remain limited. We developed a plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomics assay to support two clinically related tasks: detection of bladder cancer and preoperative estimation of muscle-invasive risk. Using low-pass whole-genome sequencing, we extracted fragment size coverage, copy-number variation, and nucleosome positioning features. The multicenter cohort included 656 participants and an external extension of…

Development and validation of a preoperative biparametric MRI-based habitat model for risk stratification of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

BMC medical imaging · 2026 · PMID 42958093

BACKGROUND: Accurate preoperative risk stratification of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is essential for developing individualized treatment plans. This study developed an interpretable habitat model based on biparametric MRI to improve preoperative risk stratification in patients with NMIBC. METHODS: This two-center study enrolled a total of 206 patients. The internal dataset (n = 147) included the training set (n = 81), test set (n = 35), and time-sequential validation set (n = 31). The external datas…

Gustave Roussy Immune score as a prognostic biomarker in patients with platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab: YUSHIMA study.

International journal of clinical oncology · 2024 · PMID 38833113

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the Gustave Roussy Immune score (GRIm-score) in platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) treated with pembrolizumab. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study (YUSHIMA study) evaluated 331 patients with metastatic UC treated with pembrolizumab after platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2018 and June 2023 at 13 institutions. We collected pretreatment variables, including the GRIm-score based on serum albumin, lactate dehyd…

Impact of lymph node dissection on surgical and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a multicenter retrospective study.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 38554230

This study was performed to clarify the therapeutic and diagnostic roles of lymph node dissection (LND) by examining the impact of LND and lymph node yield (LNY) on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Between 2014 and 2021, 216 patients underwent LND during RARC at Tokushima University Hospital and affiliated hospitals. Among the 216 patients, we compared 115 patients with an LNY of ≥ 20 and 101 with an LNY of < 20 to investigate the impact of LNY on surgical and on…

Lifestyle and dietary inflammation scores and risks of recurrence and progression among patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) · 2026 · PMID 42556054

A healthy lifestyle and diet may improve outcomes of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), potentially through reducing systemic inflammation. Therefore, this study investigated the association of a post-diagnosis Lifestyle (LIS) and Dietary Inflammation Score (DIS), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with the risks of NMIBC recurrence and progression. Patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC between 2014 and 2021 were recruited for the prospective multi-center cohort UroLife. Lifestyle …

A prospective cohort study to assess the diagnostic accuracy of VI-RADS score in a tertiary center in central India.

Urologia · 2026 · PMID 42200262

PURPOSE: Accurate preoperative differentiation between non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is critical for selecting appropriate therapy. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) using the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) for predicting pathological muscle invasion in patients with suspected bladder tumors. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 102 consecutive adults with suspected bladder mass were …

Adherence to guideline recommendations in the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: an analysis of the CROES-UTUC registry.

World journal of urology · 2022 · PMID 36197507

BACKGROUND: The European Association of Urology provides Clinical Practice Guideline on upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Due to the rarity of UTUC, guidelines are necessary to help guide decision-making based on the highest quality of care evidence available. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate guideline adherence in the management of UTUC by assessing recommendations on diagnostics needed for risk classification and subsequent treatment selection; to assess predictors for the latter. PARTICIPANTS: Data from the Clinic…

Early Detection of Bladder Cancer Using Advanced Feature Engineering and Swarm Intelligence Optimization on EHRs.

IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering · 2026 · PMID 41587235

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) symptoms often overlap with benign conditions, while no routine screening exists for general population. We aim to develop a machine learning (ML)-based screening pipeline for early BC detection using electronic-health-records (EHRs) in primary care. METHODS: A multi-centred case-control cohort (1995-2018; n = 64,884) was created for model training and testing. We further validated the model prospectively on an independent cohort (2019-2020; n = 4,569). We proposed the Parsimony-driv…

Serial urinary NGAL and CK20 for dynamic cardiovascular risk stratification in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a retrospective clinical cohort study.

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2026 · PMID 42964030

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is commonly managed with intravesical BCG, whereas pembrolizumab is reserved for selected BCG-unresponsive high-risk disease. Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) may occur during cancer therapy, but BCG-related systemic inflammatory effects and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-mediated cardiovascular immune-related adverse events have distinct pathophysiology and clinical kinetics. We evaluated serial urinary NGAL and CK20 as non-invasive candidate biomarker…

High Ubiquitin-like Protein 3 Expression Is Associated With Prolonged Recurrence-free Survival in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

Anticancer research · 2026 · PMID 42946445

BACKGROUND/AIM: Current clinicopathological factors inadequately capture the biological heterogeneity of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This study investigated the prognostic significance of ubiquitin-like protein 3 (UBL3), a molecule involved in extracellular vesicle sorting and immune regulation, in NMIBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following an exploratory analysis of public RNA-sequencing databases, we evaluated tissue samples from patients who underwent transurethral resection for primary NMIBC. A dis…

Artificial intelligence for predicting BCG response in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42605566

OBJECTIVES: To systematically identify, appraise and synthesise artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) models that predict treatment response and clinical outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), a setting in which current risk calculators underperform, and identifying non-responders has become urgent as alternatives to BCG enter practice. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched through April 2026 following the Preferr…

Novel Imaging Techniques Prior to Surgical Management of Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Current urology reports · 2026 · PMID 42911355

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of novel imaging modalities in working up invasive bladder cancer prior to surgical management and their potential role in guiding treatment decisions. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple new imaging modalities, including VI-RADS and Biparametric MRI have been developed to better guide management of invasive bladder cancer. There lacks a comprehensive review of these modalities and their diagnostic performance. We performed a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. …

Enfortumab vedotin monotherapy, enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab, and immune checkpoint inhibitor-based neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42436099

Comparative efficacy among neoadjuvant enfortumab vedotin (EV) monotherapy, EV plus pembrolizumab (EV+P), and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is unclear, and we aimed to compare pathological and survival outcomes among these strategies. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov (January 2015-October 2025) for prospective Phase II or higher trials of ICI- or EV-containing neoadjuvant therapy reporting pathological c…

Consensus-Based Development of a Surgical Checklist for Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: An Initiative of the Japanese Society of Urologic Oncology.

International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association · 2026 · PMID 42477956

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a nationwide, consensus-based surgical checklist to standardize transurethral resection of bladder tumor procedures and documentation. METHODS: In 2025, the Japanese Society of Urologic Oncology convened a working group of 20 bladder cancer specialist urologists to develop a national surgical checklist for transurethral resection of bladder tumors. A 12-member steering committee reviewed available evidence and proposed 30 candidate items. Using a modified Delphi approach, all …

Guidelines of the Oncology Committee of the French Association of Urology (CCAFU) and the Infectious Diseases Committee of the French Association of Urology (CIAFU) for Intravesical Instillation of Mitomycin C, Epirubicin, and BCG in NMIBC.

The French journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42362158

INTRODUCTION: Intravesical instillations of mitomycin C, epirubicin, and BCG are considered as the standard of care for most patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). These guidelines aim to optimize intravesical instillations in order to improve their efficacy and decrease morbidity. MATERIAL: An analysis of good practice, available regulations, and published guidelines was conducted through an online literature search in French and English using Medline® and Embase®, up to December 2025. The follo…

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2024 · PMID 38530620

BACKGROUND: The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cancer. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to July 15, 2023, to identify eligible randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that lasted at least ≥24 weeks. The primary outcome was the overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidences of…

EAU Guidelines on Nonmuscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (TaT1 and CIS) - A Summary of the 2026 Guidelines Update.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 42457459

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This publication represents a summary of the updated 2026 European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), TaT1 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). The information presented herein is limited to urothelial carcinoma, unless specified otherwise. The aim is to provide practical recommendations on the clinical management of NMIBC, with a focus on clinical presentation. METHODS: For the 2026 guidelines on NMIBC, new and relevant evidence was identified, …

Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of adverse effects of intravesical BCG.

Actas urologicas espanolas · 2026 · PMID 42413606

Intravesical Calmette-Guérin bacillus (BCG) instillation is the treatment of choice after transurethral resection of intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors (NMIBT). However, adverse effects (AEs) of BCG are common and can compromise adherence to treatment. Therefore, a group of experts in urology, hospital pharmacy and nursing reviewed the most recent literature and developed a series of practical recommendations for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of adverse events (AEs) asso…

Intra-corporeal robot-assisted versus open radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42525253

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness between robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion (iRARC) and open radical cystectomy (ORC). METHODS: We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest according to the PRISMA and AMSTAR Guidelines. Five databases were systematically searched, including Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search timeframe was set from database creation to February 2026. RESULTS: The…

Diagnostic performance of urinary tumor DNA in urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42184714

Accurate, non-invasive detection of urothelial carcinoma (UC) remains an unmet clinical need. Urinary tumor DNA (utDNA) assays have recently emerged as promising tools, but their comparative diagnostic performance across assay types remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trials.gov were searche…

Perioperative Immunotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Strategies.

Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) · 2026 · PMID 42520756

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the perioperative immunotherapy-based regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed from January 2000 to October 2025, with an updated search through June 2026. Eligible studies included randomized trials and prospective clinical studies evaluating neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or combined perioperative immunotherapy-based strategies in patients with MIBC. Outcomes inc…

Extended Versus Non-Extended Lymphadenectomy in Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42655992

Pelvic lymph node dissection is an essential component of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC), but the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare oncologic and perioperative outcomes between extended and non-extended lymphadenectomy during RC for BC. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials. gov were searched up to October 2025 following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observati…

The Influence of Urinary Diversion Type on Body Image and Decision Regret Following Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 41390278

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The choice between different urinary diversion types carries distinct implications for physical appearance and psychosocial outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on how different urinary diversion types influence patients' body image and decision regret. METHODS: In this prospectively registered systematic review (CRD420251079300), we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in June 2025 for studies reporting body image and decision regret outcomes in pat…

Interpreting International Real-World Survival Outcomes After Avelumab First-Line Maintenance in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma: An RMST Analysis of Reconstructed Individual Patient Data.

International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association · 2026 · PMID 42924551

OBJECTIVES: Avelumab first-line maintenance is an established treatment strategy for patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma without progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. Overall survival outcomes reported in international real-world cohorts are difficult to compare because of differences in patient background, follow-up duration, and later-line treatment. We summarized these outcomes within a common time horizon. METHODS: Overall survival data were reconstructed from published Kaplan-Mei…

Evaluating the Surrogacy of Pathological Complete Response at Radical Cystectomy in Neoadjuvant-based Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Trials.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 42342498

Overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard end point in neoadjuvant trials for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), yet its assessment requires prolonged follow-up. Whether pathological complete response (pCR) at radical cystectomy (RC) can serve as a valid trial-level surrogate remains unclear. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analytic surrogacy analysis (PROSPERO CRD420251050357) of prospective nonrandomized trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating neoadju…

Stage-specific associations of HER2 overexpression with clinical and pathological features in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 41876828

BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is an established oncogenic driver and therapeutic target in several malignancies, but its clinical significance in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder remains controversial due to disease heterogeneity and lack of standardized assessment. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence on the stage-specific associations of HER2 overexpression with clinicopathological features in bladder UC through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We c…

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) with or without immune checkpoint blockade in BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42556596

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 75% of bladder cancers. Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection followed by BCG instillation, 30-40% of patients relapse. We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus BCG versus BCG alone in BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data (rIPD) meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Individual patient data were re…

Safety profile of BCG with or without immunotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42777327

BACKGROUND: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard of care for BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Recent phase III trials showed reduced disease recurrence with the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to BCG induction plus maintenance but with increased toxicity. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of this treatment intensification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomized phase II-III trials comparing BCG plus anti-programm…

Comparative evaluation of reproductive organ-preserving versus standard radical cystectomy in female: a meta-analysis and systematic review of perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.

Surgical endoscopy · 2024 · PMID 39009729

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) compared to standard radical cystectomy (SRC) in the treatment of female bladder cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in November 2023 across several scientific databases. We executed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest, adhering to the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420245015…

Simultaneous surgery for NMIBC and BOO: evaluating surgical safety to oncological benefit.

Minerva urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 42823863

BACKGROUND: Current evidence demonstrates that simultaneous surgical management of bladder cancer (BCa) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is oncologically safe, despite well-known concerns. This systematic review and meta-analysis primarily evaluates oncological outcomes of concurrent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and BOO surgery compared to TURBT alone or staged treatments; perioperative safety is descriptively summarized. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochra…

Comparison between robot-assisted versus open nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: outcomes from a pooled analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2023 · PMID 36884204

The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) and open nephroureterectomy (ONU) for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We systematically searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to locate pertinent studies published in English up to January 2023. The primary outcomes evaluated included perioperative results, complications, and oncologic outcomes. Statistical analyses and calculations…

Device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy versus bacillus Calmette-Guerin for intermediate or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic reviewer and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 37659995

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy compared to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of patients with intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: In February 2023, a systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest were performed. The review was prospectively registered on…

Clinical complete response as a surrogate for pathological response in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 41839747

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concordance between clinical complete response (cCR) and pathological complete response (pCR) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) to assess the surrogacy and prognostic value of cCR for guiding bladder-sparing strategies. METHODS: In this prospectively registered systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD420251066540), we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science in June 2025 for studies reporting clinical and pathological complete response rates in patients with MIBC undergoing neo…

Shared Genetics of Kidney Function Traits and Bladder Cancer: A Genome-Wide Cross-Trait Analysis.

Cancer medicine · 2026 · PMID 42470241

BACKGROUND: Clinical and epidemiological evidence has suggested a potential association between kidney dysfunction and bladder cancer (BC). One hypothesis for this comorbidity is the presence of a common genetic etiology. However, little is known about the shared genetics and causality of this association. Thus, we aimed to investigate shared genetic architecture and the causal link between kidney dysfunction and bladder cancer. METHODS: Leveraging summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies…

Robotic assisted vs open radical cystectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 38961035

Several randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published comparing open (ORC) with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). However, uncertainty persists regarding this issue, as evidences and recommendations on RARC are still lacking. In this systematic review and metaanalysis, we summarized evidence in this context. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria, using PubMed/Medline, Web Of Science and Embase, up to March 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. The prim…

French AFU Cancer Committee Guidelines - Update 2024-2026: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

The French journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39581664

OBJECTIVE: To update the CCAFU recommendations for the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: A systematic review (Medline) of the literature from 2022 to 2024 was carried out, taking into account the elements of the diagnosis, the treatment options and the monitoring of NMIBC and MIBC, evaluating the references with their level of evidence. RESULTS: MIBC is diagosed after the must complete tumor resection possible . CT-Urography coupled with chest CT scans are used to assess the extent of MI…

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2024 · PMID 38530620

BACKGROUND: The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cancer. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to July 15, 2023, to identify eligible randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that lasted at least ≥24 weeks. The primary outcome was the overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidences of…

Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JAMA network open · 2026 · PMID 42223943

IMPORTANCE: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), including enfortumab vedotin, disitamab vedotin, and sacituzumab govitecan, are altering the therapeutic landscape for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC). Comprehensive comparative evidence evaluating their translation in the clinical setting and modifying clinical covariates is required. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize multidimensional evidence from interventional and observational settings to evaluate clinical outcomes, define the evolving therapeuti…

Active surveillance for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and pooled-analysis.

Cancer treatment and research communications · 2021 · PMID 33838570

INTRODUCTION: One of the Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) treatment options recently recommended by International Guidelines is represented by Active Surveillance (AS),. Herein we carried out a systematic review and pooled-analysis of currently available evidences in order to provide recommendations for daily urological practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Coch rane Library databases were searched with the terms "Non-Muscle Invasive" or "pTa/pT1" and "Bladder Cancer" or "Bladder Tumor".…

French AFU Cancer Committee Guidelines - Update 2022-2024: Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC).

Progres en urologie : journal de l'Association francaise d'urologie et de la Societe francaise d'urologie · 2022 · PMID 36400480

OBJECTIVE: To update the CCAFU recommendations for the management of muscle invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC). METHODS: A systematic review (Medline) of the literature from 2020 to 2022 was performed taking account of the diagnosis, treatment options and surveillance of NMIBC and MIBC, while evaluating the references with their levels of evidence. RESULTS: MIBC is diagnosed after the most complete tumour resection possible. MIBC grading is based on CTU along with chest CT. Multiparametric pelvic MRI could be an alt…

Enfortumab vedotin-related skin toxicities in patients with urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Urologic oncology · 2025 · PMID 40592676

BACKGROUND: Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is an antibody-drug conjugate that binds nectin-4, a cell-adhesion molecule highly expressed in urothelial carcinoma (UC) and epidermal keratinocytes. Dermatologic events have become important EV-related toxicities in clinical trials and observational studies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on dermatological toxicity in UC patients treated with EV. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase for clinical trials (CT) and observational studi…

Comparative evaluation of reproductive organ-preserving versus standard radical cystectomy in female: a meta-analysis and systematic review of perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.

Surgical endoscopy · 2024 · PMID 39009729

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) compared to standard radical cystectomy (SRC) in the treatment of female bladder cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in November 2023 across several scientific databases. We executed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest, adhering to the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420245015…

Prognostic significance of circulating tumor DNA in urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2024 · PMID 38573063

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a noninvasive technique that provides valuable insights into molecular profiles and tumor disease management. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in urothelial carcinoma (UC) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from the inception to December 2023. Studies investigating the prognostic value of ctDNA in UC w…

Surveillance of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer with blue-light cystoscopy: a meta-analysis.

BJU international · 2024 · PMID 38658172

OBJECTIVE: To compare the value of flexible blue-light cystoscopy (BLC) vs flexible white-light cystoscopy (WLC) in the surveillance setting of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: All major databases were searched for articles published before May 2023 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The primary outcome was the accuracy of flexible BLC vs WLC in detecting bladder cancer recurrence among suspicious bladder lesions. RESULTS: A to…

Comparison between robot-assisted versus open nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: outcomes from a pooled analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2023 · PMID 36884204

The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) and open nephroureterectomy (ONU) for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We systematically searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to locate pertinent studies published in English up to January 2023. The primary outcomes evaluated included perioperative results, complications, and oncologic outcomes. Statistical analyses and calculations…

Device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy versus bacillus Calmette-Guerin for intermediate or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic reviewer and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 37659995

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy compared to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of patients with intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: In February 2023, a systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest were performed. The review was prospectively registered on…

Robotic assisted vs open radical cystectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 38961035

Several randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published comparing open (ORC) with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). However, uncertainty persists regarding this issue, as evidences and recommendations on RARC are still lacking. In this systematic review and metaanalysis, we summarized evidence in this context. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria, using PubMed/Medline, Web Of Science and Embase, up to March 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. The prim…

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of Urinary DNA Methylation-based Biomarkers for the Detection of Primary and Recurrent Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

European urology focus · 2024 · PMID 38897871

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis of primary and relapsed bladder carcinomas is accomplished by urethrocystoscopy, an invasive procedure, combined with urinary cytology, with limited sensitivity, resulting in a substantial burden. Thus, noninvasive biomarkers have been investigated, among which DNA methylation has shown promise. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DNA methylation biomarkers reported in the literature for bladder cancer detection, pinpointing the mo…

Utility of MRI in NMIBC and feasibility of avoiding Re-TURB in carefully selected patients: a systematic review.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 39883196

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to synthesize current research on the role of repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) and the emerging use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in discerning patient suitability for safely foregoing this procedure. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Employing a methodical literature search, we consulted several bibliographic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase. The review process adhered strictly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Syst…

Efficacy and Safety of Checkpoint Inhibitors Combined with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in BCG-naïve High-risk Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Synthesis of Evidence from the ALBAN, CREST, and POTOMAC Trials.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 41478774

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy remains the cornerstone for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but up to 40% of patients experience disease recurrence or progression within 2 yr. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of three phase 3 randomized trials POTOMAC, CREST, and ALBAN; n = 2590) in BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC disease treated with a combination of BCG and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Overall risk of bias was low for all studies. Combination therapy …

Diagnostic Accuracy of Novel Urinary Biomarker Tests in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

European urology oncology · 2021 · PMID 34753702

CONTEXT: During the past decade, several urinary biomarker tests (UBTs) for bladder cancer have been developed and made commercially available. However, none of these is recommended by international guidelines so far. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic estimates of novel commercially available UBTs for diagnosis and surveillance of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) using diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) and network meta-analysis (NMA). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched u…

Perioperative and functional outcomes of single-port versus multi-port robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: evidence-based on controlled studies.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 39312042

To compare perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) using a single-port (SP) or multi-port (MP) robotic platform. We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases until June 2024. For a combined analysis of the data using random effects, Review Manager 5.4 was employed. To compare continuous and categorical variables, the weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) were employed, respectively. Three original studies were include…

ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline interim update on first-line therapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2024 · PMID 38490358

Association of viral infection with bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pathology, research and practice · 2024 · PMID 39504615

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) is the tenth most common cancer with the highest mortality rate. Since the etiological role of viral infection in the development of BC is less known, the aim of the present study was to examine the pooled prevalence and possible relationship between viral infection and BC. METHODS: A systematic search of major online databases was conducted to investigate relevant studies. We estimated the pooled odds ratio (OR), 95 % confidence interval (CI), and heterogeneity for all studies by us…

The prognosis and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation in patients after transurethral resection of bladder tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative study.

Updates in surgery · 2023 · PMID 37188906

The prognosis and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation (CSBI) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) as an alternative method needs to be explored. A literature review and meta-analysis were performed by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and original references of the included articles. PRISMA checklists were followed. We used the GRADEpro GDT to assess the certainty of evidence from the results of our meta-analysis. A total of eight articles including 1600 patients were …

Immuno-oncology therapy in metastatic bladder cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2022 · PMID 34823022

CONTEXT: Three first line and three second-line clinical trials tested the effect of immunotherapy (IO) relative to standard chemotherapy (CT) on overall survival. However, network meta-analysis-based comparisons have not yet been presented. We addressed this void. OBJECTIVE: To provide comparisons of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), objective response rates (ORR), disease control rates (DCR) and adverse events (AEs) associat…

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chemoablation for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

European urology focus · 2023 · PMID 36517409

CONTEXT: The ablative effect of intravesical therapy is known for decades. However, the clinical feasibility and efficacy of chemoablation for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have not become accepted. OBJECTIVE: To assess the treatment outcomes of chemoablation for NMIBC and to compare its safety with that of the standard treatment, transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) followed by intravesical therapy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Multiple databases were queried in July 2022 for studies investigati…

Palliative radiotherapy for bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) · 2021 · PMID 33591843

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The optimal dose fractionation for palliative radiotherapy (RT) in patients with symptomatic advanced bladder cancer is unclear. This study aimed to determine if a higher dose of RT was associated with improved symptoms response rates. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Central and Embase for eligible studies published from 1990 to 2019. The primary outcomes were symptoms response rates for hematuria, dysuria and frequency. Secondary outcomes included treatment-related adverse events and quality of li…

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data from Randomised Controlled Trials.

European urology · 2022 · PMID 34802798

CONTEXT: Our prior systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) suggesting a benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer was limited by the number and size of included randomised trials. We have updated results to include additional trials, providing the most up-to-date and reliable evidence of the effects of this treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. EVIDENCE ACQU…

Pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cancer medicine · 2018 · PMID 29476615

Current evidence about the association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk remains conflict. We aimed to assess the risk of bladder cancer associated with the use of pioglitazone and identify modifiers that affect the results. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 25 August 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that evaluated the association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk. Conventional a…

Artificial intelligence for predicting BCG response in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42605566

OBJECTIVES: To systematically identify, appraise and synthesise artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) models that predict treatment response and clinical outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), a setting in which current risk calculators underperform, and identifying non-responders has become urgent as alternatives to BCG enter practice. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched through April 2026 following the Preferr…

Novel Imaging Techniques Prior to Surgical Management of Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Current urology reports · 2026 · PMID 42911355

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of novel imaging modalities in working up invasive bladder cancer prior to surgical management and their potential role in guiding treatment decisions. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple new imaging modalities, including VI-RADS and Biparametric MRI have been developed to better guide management of invasive bladder cancer. There lacks a comprehensive review of these modalities and their diagnostic performance. We performed a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. …

Guidelines of the Oncology Committee of the French Association of Urology (CCAFU) and the Infectious Diseases Committee of the French Association of Urology (CIAFU) for Intravesical Instillation of Mitomycin C, Epirubicin, and BCG in NMIBC.

The French journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42362158

INTRODUCTION: Intravesical instillations of mitomycin C, epirubicin, and BCG are considered as the standard of care for most patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). These guidelines aim to optimize intravesical instillations in order to improve their efficacy and decrease morbidity. MATERIAL: An analysis of good practice, available regulations, and published guidelines was conducted through an online literature search in French and English using Medline® and Embase®, up to December 2025. The follo…

Enfortumab vedotin monotherapy, enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab, and immune checkpoint inhibitor-based neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42436099

Comparative efficacy among neoadjuvant enfortumab vedotin (EV) monotherapy, EV plus pembrolizumab (EV+P), and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is unclear, and we aimed to compare pathological and survival outcomes among these strategies. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov (January 2015-October 2025) for prospective Phase II or higher trials of ICI- or EV-containing neoadjuvant therapy reporting pathological c…

EAU Guidelines on Nonmuscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (TaT1 and CIS) - A Summary of the 2026 Guidelines Update.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 42457459

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This publication represents a summary of the updated 2026 European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), TaT1 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). The information presented herein is limited to urothelial carcinoma, unless specified otherwise. The aim is to provide practical recommendations on the clinical management of NMIBC, with a focus on clinical presentation. METHODS: For the 2026 guidelines on NMIBC, new and relevant evidence was identified, …

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2024 · PMID 38530620

BACKGROUND: The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cancer. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to July 15, 2023, to identify eligible randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that lasted at least ≥24 weeks. The primary outcome was the overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidences of…

Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of adverse effects of intravesical BCG.

Actas urologicas espanolas · 2026 · PMID 42413606

Intravesical Calmette-Guérin bacillus (BCG) instillation is the treatment of choice after transurethral resection of intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors (NMIBT). However, adverse effects (AEs) of BCG are common and can compromise adherence to treatment. Therefore, a group of experts in urology, hospital pharmacy and nursing reviewed the most recent literature and developed a series of practical recommendations for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of adverse events (AEs) asso…

Perioperative Immunotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Strategies.

Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) · 2026 · PMID 42520756

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the perioperative immunotherapy-based regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed from January 2000 to October 2025, with an updated search through June 2026. Eligible studies included randomized trials and prospective clinical studies evaluating neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or combined perioperative immunotherapy-based strategies in patients with MIBC. Outcomes inc…

Extended Versus Non-Extended Lymphadenectomy in Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42655992

Pelvic lymph node dissection is an essential component of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC), but the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare oncologic and perioperative outcomes between extended and non-extended lymphadenectomy during RC for BC. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials. gov were searched up to October 2025 following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observati…

The Influence of Urinary Diversion Type on Body Image and Decision Regret Following Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 41390278

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The choice between different urinary diversion types carries distinct implications for physical appearance and psychosocial outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on how different urinary diversion types influence patients' body image and decision regret. METHODS: In this prospectively registered systematic review (CRD420251079300), we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in June 2025 for studies reporting body image and decision regret outcomes in pat…

Evaluating the Surrogacy of Pathological Complete Response at Radical Cystectomy in Neoadjuvant-based Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Trials.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 42342498

Overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard end point in neoadjuvant trials for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), yet its assessment requires prolonged follow-up. Whether pathological complete response (pCR) at radical cystectomy (RC) can serve as a valid trial-level surrogate remains unclear. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analytic surrogacy analysis (PROSPERO CRD420251050357) of prospective nonrandomized trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating neoadju…

Stage-specific associations of HER2 overexpression with clinical and pathological features in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 41876828

BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is an established oncogenic driver and therapeutic target in several malignancies, but its clinical significance in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder remains controversial due to disease heterogeneity and lack of standardized assessment. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence on the stage-specific associations of HER2 overexpression with clinicopathological features in bladder UC through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We c…

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) with or without immune checkpoint blockade in BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42556596

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 75% of bladder cancers. Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection followed by BCG instillation, 30-40% of patients relapse. We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus BCG versus BCG alone in BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data (rIPD) meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Individual patient data were re…

Safety profile of BCG with or without immunotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42777327

BACKGROUND: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard of care for BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Recent phase III trials showed reduced disease recurrence with the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to BCG induction plus maintenance but with increased toxicity. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of this treatment intensification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomized phase II-III trials comparing BCG plus anti-programm…

Comparative evaluation of reproductive organ-preserving versus standard radical cystectomy in female: a meta-analysis and systematic review of perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.

Surgical endoscopy · 2024 · PMID 39009729

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) compared to standard radical cystectomy (SRC) in the treatment of female bladder cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in November 2023 across several scientific databases. We executed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest, adhering to the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420245015…

Simultaneous surgery for NMIBC and BOO: evaluating surgical safety to oncological benefit.

Minerva urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 42823863

BACKGROUND: Current evidence demonstrates that simultaneous surgical management of bladder cancer (BCa) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is oncologically safe, despite well-known concerns. This systematic review and meta-analysis primarily evaluates oncological outcomes of concurrent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and BOO surgery compared to TURBT alone or staged treatments; perioperative safety is descriptively summarized. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochra…

Comparison between robot-assisted versus open nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: outcomes from a pooled analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2023 · PMID 36884204

The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) and open nephroureterectomy (ONU) for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We systematically searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to locate pertinent studies published in English up to January 2023. The primary outcomes evaluated included perioperative results, complications, and oncologic outcomes. Statistical analyses and calculations…

Device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy versus bacillus Calmette-Guerin for intermediate or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic reviewer and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 37659995

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy compared to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of patients with intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: In February 2023, a systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest were performed. The review was prospectively registered on…

Robotic assisted vs open radical cystectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 38961035

Several randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published comparing open (ORC) with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). However, uncertainty persists regarding this issue, as evidences and recommendations on RARC are still lacking. In this systematic review and metaanalysis, we summarized evidence in this context. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria, using PubMed/Medline, Web Of Science and Embase, up to March 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. The prim…

Utility of MRI in NMIBC and feasibility of avoiding Re-TURB in carefully selected patients: a systematic review.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 39883196

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to synthesize current research on the role of repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) and the emerging use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in discerning patient suitability for safely foregoing this procedure. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Employing a methodical literature search, we consulted several bibliographic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase. The review process adhered strictly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Syst…

ctDNA-guided or ctDNA-stratified adjuvant immunotherapy compared with observation or placebo after radical surgery for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42661024

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant immunotherapy after radical surgery for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma has produced heterogeneous trial-level results, partly because clinicopathological risk factors do not completely identify patients with molecular residual disease (MRD). Circulating tumor DNA may refine postoperative treatment selection by distinguishing patients who are most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition from those who may experience unnecessary toxicity. METHODS: This systematic review and meta…

Sexual life and intimate relationship experience among bladder cancer patients: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.

Frontiers in public health · 2026 · PMID 42688463

OBJECTIVES: The global incidence of bladder cancer continues to rise. Treatments for this disease, particularly radical cystectomy and urinary diversion, can profoundly disrupt sexual function and intimate relationships, leading to physiological, psychological, relational, and existential changes. However, qualitative evidence syntheses that integrate these experiences remain limited. This review aimed to synthesize qualitative research on bladder cancer patients' sexual life and intimate relationship experiences i…

Perioperative and functional outcomes of single-port versus multi-port robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: evidence-based on controlled studies.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 39312042

To compare perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) using a single-port (SP) or multi-port (MP) robotic platform. We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases until June 2024. For a combined analysis of the data using random effects, Review Manager 5.4 was employed. To compare continuous and categorical variables, the weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) were employed, respectively. Three original studies were include…

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis, myositis, and myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome: a single-center case series and systematic review.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42878911

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis, myositis, and myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome (IM3OS). METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective case series of seven patients with IM3OS treated at Hospital del Mar between 2020 and 2025, together with a systematic review and descriptive patient-level synthesis of the published literature. PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase were searched for reports pu…

The prognosis and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation in patients after transurethral resection of bladder tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative study.

Updates in surgery · 2023 · PMID 37188906

The prognosis and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation (CSBI) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) as an alternative method needs to be explored. A literature review and meta-analysis were performed by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and original references of the included articles. PRISMA checklists were followed. We used the GRADEpro GDT to assess the certainty of evidence from the results of our meta-analysis. A total of eight articles including 1600 patients were …

Utility of MRI in NMIBC and feasibility of avoiding Re-TURB in carefully selected patients: a systematic review.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 39883196

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to synthesize current research on the role of repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) and the emerging use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in discerning patient suitability for safely foregoing this procedure. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Employing a methodical literature search, we consulted several bibliographic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase. The review process adhered strictly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Syst…

Overexpression of small nucleolar RNA host gene family members predicts poor bladder cancer prognosis: based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC cancer · 2026 · PMID 42958110

BACKGROUND: Increasing long non-coding RNA SNHG members are aberrantly expressed in bladder cancer (BC) and substantially linked to its prognosis. This investigation aims to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the connection between SNHG expression levels and BC prognosis. METHODS: Six relevant electronic databases were queried to identify eligible original studies per the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. HRs and 95%CIs were obtained directly or indirectly, case numbers and totals for each clinical patho…

Adjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma: An Updated Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Network Meta-analysis.

Targeted oncology · 2025 · PMID 39535690

CONTEXT: Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently emerged as guideline-recommended treatments of high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). However, there is limited evidence regarding the optimal candidates and the differential efficacy of adjuvant ICI regimens. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize and compare the efficacy and safety of adjuvant ICIs for high-risk MIUC using updated data from phase III randomized controlled trials. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In April 2024, three databases were searche…

Best evidence summary on gastrointestinal function recovery after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2026 · PMID 41541189

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the best available evidence on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted following the Evidence-Based Health care Pyramid 5.0, covering major academic databases, professional society websites, and clinical decision support tools. Literature published up to March 31, 2025, was included. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of included studies and extracted relevant evidence. RESULTS: N…

Dna aneuploidy and urothelial carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental · 2026 · PMID 42740904

BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is regarded as the third most common cancer in adults, with a high incidence and mortality rate, and lacks specific tumor markers. With the advancement of technology, DNA ploidy analysis technology has become more convenient and efficient. Through meta-analysis of the correlation between DNA aneuploidy rate and UC prognosis, a more efficient UC prognosis indicator was discovered. METHODS: Through searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library database, we were ab…

Pan-cancer multi-omics machine learning defines a lactylation-associated immune-excluded tumor state with proteomic and experimental corroboration.

Computational biology and chemistry · 2026 · PMID 42556016

BACKGROUND: Histone lactylation links lactate metabolism to chromatin regulation, but whether lactylation-program-associated transcriptional patterns delineate recurrent pan-cancer tumor states remains unclear. METHODS: We integrated mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA profiles from 9712 TCGA tumors across 33 cancer types with GTEx references, six GEO cohorts, IMvigor210, and an institutional clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cohort used for exploratory DIA-NN proteomic corroboration. Random-effects co-expression meta-an…

Robotic-assisted intracorporeal radical cystectomy with modified ileal conduit reduces ureteroileal anastomotic stenosis risk: a comparative study with laparoscopic surgery.

Annals of medicine · 2026 · PMID 42525819

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an innovative robot-assisted totally intracorporeal antecolic modified ileal conduit procedure (robotic group) versus laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic group) in bladder cancer patients, providing evidence for optimizing urinary diversion strategies and reducing associated complications. METHODS: From Jan 2023 to Oct 2025, 69 patients undergoing total cystectomy by one surgeon were enrolled; 23 received robotic surgery (KangDuo SR2000) and 46 laparos…

Analysis of Genitourinary Rhabdomyosarcoma in Phase 3 clinical trials.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39621093

PURPOSE: Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a morbid and often lethal condition characterized by a paucity of clinical data. Beyond a detailed risk categorization system, it is unclear if genitourinary (GU) sites (bladder/prostate, paratesticular, female organs) have outcomes distinct from non-GU sites. This study pools primary data from phase-3 clinical trials involving pediatric RMS to evaluate this question. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We obtained primary data from three Children's Oncology Group pediatric RMS trial…

Identifying optimal candidates for active surveillance in low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39739061

OBJECTIVE: The intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (IR-NMIBC) prognostic group is heterogeneous. Growing evidence supports the role of active surveillance (AS) for patients with low-risk NMIBC, however, no clear data exists considering IR-NMIBC. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of recurrence of patients eligible for AS based on the International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) stratification. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 174 LG IR-NMIBC patients who underwent transurethral resection…

Development and validation of a preoperative biparametric MRI-based habitat model for risk stratification of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

BMC medical imaging · 2026 · PMID 42958093

BACKGROUND: Accurate preoperative risk stratification of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is essential for developing individualized treatment plans. This study developed an interpretable habitat model based on biparametric MRI to improve preoperative risk stratification in patients with NMIBC. METHODS: This two-center study enrolled a total of 206 patients. The internal dataset (n = 147) included the training set (n = 81), test set (n = 35), and time-sequential validation set (n = 31). The external datas…

The role of re-transurethral resection of bladder tumor in patients with TaHG non muscle invasive bladder cancer.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39503747

PURPOSE: There is lack of evidence regarding the indication for re-transurethral resection of bladder tumor (reTURBT) for Ta high grade (HG) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This study aims to evaluate the oncological outcomes of patients with TaHG NMIBC to determine the benefit from performing reTURBT. METHODS: We relied on a multicenter cohort of 317 TaHG NMIBC from 12 centers who underwent TURBT and a subsequent complete Bacillus Calmette-Guérin induction from 2009 to 2021. Kaplan Meier analyses estim…

Long-term follow-up of a phase 1/2 trial of anti-GDF-15 antibody visugromab plus anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in anti-PD-1/-L1 relapsed/refractory solid tumors.

Journal of hematology & oncology · 2026 · PMID 42426863

BACKGROUND: Resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy is a major unmet need. Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) has been identified as a key resistance factor for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Visugromab, a neutralizing anti-GDF-15 antibody, plus the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab (V+N) was evaluated in the first-in-human phase 1/2a GDFATHER-01 trial in heavily pretreated participants with locally advanced/metastatic non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsq NSCLC), urothelial carcinoma (UC), or hepatocellular…

Perioperative outcomes of intracorporeal versus extracorporeal urinary diversion following robot-assisted radical cystectomy in multicenter KORARC database.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42944928

PURPOSE: To compare perioperative outcomes of intracorporeal (ICUD) versus extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) following robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in localized bladder cancer, using the Korean RARC (KORARC) Study Group database. METHODS: Patient characteristics, intraoperative details, and perioperative outcomes were compared between ICUD and ECUD groups. The primary outcome was postoperative complications; secondary outcomes were operative time, hospital stay, estimated blood loss (EBL), and tra…

Prophylactic intravenous dexamethasone is associated with reduced cutaneous toxicity during first-line enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

International journal of clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42687064

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous toxicity is common during enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab, but evidence for prophylaxis is limited. We evaluated whether institutional prophylactic intravenous dexamethasone before enfortumab vedotin was associated with reduced cutaneous toxicity in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort enrolled 172 patients at 11 Japanese institutions. Before enrollment, three institutions adopted fixed dexamethasone (6.6 mg) premedication and …

A multicenter study of perioperative and functional outcomes of open vs. robot assisted uretero-enteric reimplantation after radical cystectomy.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 39820547

INTRODUCTION: Open ureteroenteric reimplantation (OUER) of ureteroenteric strictures (UESs) is related to important morbidity. Robot-assisted ureteroenteric reimplantation (RUER) has been proposed to provide similar outcomes with lower morbidity. We aimed to compare perioperative and functional outcomes between RUER and OUER. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study of 80 patients, who underwent 82 ureteroenteric reimplantations (17 OUER vs 65 RUER) at 8 institutions between 2009-2021 for benign UESs after radica…

Clinical utility of a comprehensive genomic profiling test for patient with advanced biliary tract cancer.

International journal of clinical oncology · 2024 · PMID 39297909

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract cancer (BTC) comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies with poor prognosis because of the limited treatment options. With the recent advances of next generation sequencing technologies, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) tests have been widely introduced into daily clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicenter, observation cohort study. The genomic and clinical data of 85 BTC patients, who underwent CGP testing from August 2021 to September 202…

Phase I first-in-human dose-escalation trial of a bladder cancer-specific nanoparticle in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Nanomedicine (London, England) · 2026 · PMID 42415671

OBJECTIVES: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) refractory to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment recurs frequently, even with recent approved therapies. We developed a novel, solvent-free, cancer-specific nanoparticle, PLZ4-coated paclitaxel-loaded micelles (PPM), designed for targeted drug delivery and enhanced efficacy. PLZ4 is a bladder cancer-specific peptide that is decorated on the micelle surface of PPM for cancer-specific drug delivery, while paclitaxel is encapsulated for cytotoxic activity. T…

Serial urinary NGAL and CK20 for dynamic cardiovascular risk stratification in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a retrospective clinical cohort study.

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2026 · PMID 42964030

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is commonly managed with intravesical BCG, whereas pembrolizumab is reserved for selected BCG-unresponsive high-risk disease. Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) may occur during cancer therapy, but BCG-related systemic inflammatory effects and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-mediated cardiovascular immune-related adverse events have distinct pathophysiology and clinical kinetics. We evaluated serial urinary NGAL and CK20 as non-invasive candidate biomarker…

Deep learning-based lymph node metastasis status predicts prognosis from muscle-invasive bladder cancer histopathology.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 39792275

PURPOSE: To develop a deep learning (DL) model based on primary tumor tissue to predict the lymph node metastasis (LNM) status of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), while validating the prognostic value of the predicted aiN score in MIBC patients. METHODS: A total of 323 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used as the training and internal validation set, with image features extracted using a visual encoder called UNI. We investigated the ability to predict LNM status while assessing the prognosti…

Survival Outcomes of Segmental Resection Versus Local Tumor Excision in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42966839

BACKGROUND: Local tumor excision (LTE) and segmental resection (SR) represent the two principal kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) modalities for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), yet the optimal procedure remains undefined. We compared their long-term survival outcomes and developed a tailored prognostic tool to guide individualized surgical decision-making. METHODS: A cohort of patients with UTUC managed via KSS was identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and stratified into LTE …

Oncological outcomes of organ-sparing cystectomy versus standard radical cystectomy in male patients diagnosed with bladder cancer.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39488630

PURPOSE: To compare the oncological outcomes between standard radical cystectomy (SRC) and organ-sparing cystectomy (OSC) in male patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. METHODS: Patients with stage Ta-T3 bladder cancer who underwent OSC or SRC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015. The association between preoperative factors and the implementation of OSC was analyzed using logistic regression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to bala…

Germline Testing in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Nationwide Claims-Based Analysis.

JCO oncology practice · 2026 · PMID 42962157

PURPOSE: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is the third most common malignancy associated with Lynch syndrome (LS). Various guidelines endorse universal germline testing in patients diagnosed with UTUC. We evaluated the utilization of germline testing in UTUC using a nationwide claims database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the MarketScan database for patients with newly diagnosed UTUC between January 2015 and June 2023. The primary outcome was receipt of germline testing, defined as claims for multigene …

Skin toxicity and effectiveness of first-line enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for urothelial carcinoma: a prospective multicenter real-world study in Japan.

ESMO real world data and digital oncology · 2026 · PMID 42927021

BACKGROUND: Skin toxicity is a common adverse event associated with enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab (EVP) but its association with treatment outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate this association in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective multicenter observational study conducted in Japan enrolled patients receiving first-line EVP. Skin toxicity incidence, onset, and management were evaluated. Objective response rates (ORRs) w…

Prognostic Value of Baseline Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Clinicopathological Factors in a Multicenter Cohort of Urothelial Carcinoma Treated With Adjuvant Nivolumab.

Urologia internationalis · 2026 · PMID 42832464

INTRODUCTION: Adjuvant nivolumab prolongs disease-free survival (DFS) after radical surgery for high-risk urothelial carcinoma (UC), yet recurrence remains common. We investigated the prognostic impact of clinical and systemic inflammatory factors in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 127 patients who received adjuvant nivolumab following radical surgery at six institutions between April 2022 and January 2026. Prognostic factors for DFS were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression mode…

Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

Advances in radiation oncology · 2026 · PMID 42733765

PURPOSE: Patients managed with trimodal therapy (TMT) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer remain at risk of intravesical recurrences. This retrospective analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of dose escalation compared with standard-dose radiation therapy, with differentiation between invasive and noninvasive local control. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent TMT with contemporary radiation therapy techniques fro…

The genitourinary impacts of electronic cigarette use: a systematic review of the literature.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37524850

PURPOSE: Electronic cigarette (e-cig) use is prevalent. The health implications of e-cig use on the genitourinary (GU) system are uncertain. This systematic review aims to evaluate how e-cig use impacts the GU system. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Ovid alongside citation searching. Review articles, non-English papers, animal model/cell line studies or articles only on combustible cigarettes were excluded. Quality assessment was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklis…

A prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNA predictive signature for bladder cancer patients.

Human cell · 2023 · PMID 36709471

Cuproptosis is a novel form of cell death in tumours. However, the clinical impact and mechanism of cuproptosis in bladder cancer (BC) remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to cuproptosis in BC and develop a prognostic predictive model. RNA sequencing and clinicopathological data were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas and randomly divided into training and validation groups. Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were identified by Cox regression analysis and lea…

Leverage of quick-soluble gelatin microparticles in transarterial chemoembolization of canine urothelial carcinomas.

The veterinary quarterly · 2026 · PMID 42216429

Lower urinary tract carcinomas in dogs are rare conditions with a poor prognosis. This prospective clinical study evaluated the safety, feasibility, and therapeutic efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using quick-soluble gelatin microparticles (QS-GMP) in 29 client-owned dogs with lower urinary tract carcinomas. Tumors primarily involved the bladder and urethra. Following selective catheterization of tumor-feeding vessels, intra-arterial carboplatin was administered prior to QS-GMP embolization. All …

Prolonged detection of BPV2 in urine and blood of papillomatosis-affected cattle not grazing bracken fern.

Veterinary research communications · 2024 · PMID 39186129

BPV-2 infection can cause bladder infections in cattle that, when associated with bracken fern consumption, can progress to cancerous bladder tumors and also present as bovine enzootic hematuria (BEH). This study aimed to evaluate the prolonged natural BPV-2 infection in the blood and urine of cattle, excluding bracken fern consumption. Thirteen Girolando papillomatosis-affected cattle with no bracken fern contact history were monitored for 20 months. Blood, urine, and wart samples were collected for BPV-2 detectio…

A novel laser resection approach: efficacy of rotatable bi-channel en bloc resection of bladder tumor in a pilot in-vivo study.

Lasers in medical science · 2024 · PMID 39037583

En bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) involves removing bladder tumors and their base. Laser resection has been used to reduce complications including bleeding and obturator nerve reflex (ONR). We developed a novel approach (rotatable bi-channel en bloc resection of bladder tumor (RBC-ERBT)) and assessed its efficacy in a pilot in-vivo study to enhance laser ERBT's applicability in challenging bladder regions. In the laser RBC-ERBT procedure, lesions were excised by inserting a holmium laser through the rotatin…

Heat-activated intravenous liposomal doxorubicin combined with mitomycin C hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC) for treatment of bladder cancer.

International journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group · 2026 · PMID 41631502

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of lyso-thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (LTLD, ThermoDox®) combined with mitomycin C (MMC) hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC) as a potential treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four healthy swine received a 30-minute intravenous infusion of LTLD in combination with HIVEC, consisting of one hour of warm MMC bladder recirculation. Full-thickness bladder wall specimens were surgically resected within 30 min of H…

The urothelial gene regulatory network: understanding biology to improve bladder cancer management.

Oncogene · 2024 · PMID 37996699

The urothelium is a stratified epithelium composed of basal cells, one or more layers of intermediate cells, and an upper layer of differentiated umbrella cells. Most bladder cancers (BLCA) are urothelial carcinomas. Loss of urothelial lineage fidelity results in altered differentiation, highlighted by the taxonomic classification into basal and luminal tumors. There is a need to better understand the urothelial transcriptional networks. To systematically identify transcription factors (TFs) relevant for urothelial…

Patient-derived bladder cancer organoids show stable transcript expression along cultivation.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39110253

INTRODUCTION: Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy with high recurrence rates. Patient-derived bladder cancer organoids (BCO) pose as a promising approach in both, disease modeling and individualized treatment screening. The aim of this study was to investigate the transcriptomic plasticity in BCOs as a function of cultivation times to define ideal time periods for the applications envisioned. METHODS: Tumor samples of three patients with pathologically confirmed non-muscle invasive and muscle-invasive bla…

Beyond translation: systematic insight of the multifaceted roles of GARS1 in cellular biology and disease.

Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) · 2026 · PMID 41392997

Human glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS), encoded by the GARS1 gene, is a key protein within the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases family, responsible for catalyzing the attachment of glycine to its corresponding tRNA during protein synthesis. While aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are primarily known for their role in translation, emerging evidence indicates that they also have non-canonical functions in physiological and pathological processes, including metabolism, angiogenesis, immune responses, and inflammation. This review int…

Nectin-4 expression in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology · 2026 · PMID 41888429

Therapy options for women with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) are limited. New strategies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) or antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are lacking. One potential target for the ADC Enfortumab Vedotin (EV) is Nectin-4. EV has been successfully used to treat metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Currently, there is limited data on the expression of Nectin-4 for VSCC. Our aim was therefore to investigate the expression of Nectin-4 in women with VSCC. In total, 219 formalin-fixed…

The Current Status and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence in Bladder Cancer: Clinical Applications and Research.

Computational and structural biotechnology journal · 2026 · PMID 42898717

Bladder cancer ranks as the 10th most common malignancy worldwide. Advances in technology are continuously reshaping its diagnosis, treatment selection, and prognosis assessment. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated marked potential in transforming bladder cancer care. By integrating and analyzing multi-source data, AI enhances the precision and efficiency of disease management. This review comprehensively examines the current applications of AI across various domains, including radiograph…

BCG vaccination mitigates tau pathology and restores cognitive function in PS19 mice.

Science advances · 2026 · PMID 42905846

Retrospective studies in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer have reported a significant reduction in Alzheimer's disease incidence (12 to 78%) among Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) recipients versus controls. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we evaluated BCG in the PS19 mouse model of tauopathy. We found that BCG administration reduced hippocampal phospho-tau and microgliosis while preserving neuronal markers. In vivo volumetric T2-magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated attenuation of bra…

Dietary Capsaicin Reduces Chemically Induced Rat Urinary Bladder Carcinogenesis.

Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) · 2023 · PMID 36334234

Capsaicin (CAP) is the compound responsible for pungency in chili peppers, presenting several biological properties. But its general safety and effectiveness in the context of carcinogenesis has not been fully clarified. Thus, the present study evaluated whether dietary CAP modifies the development of urothelial lesions induced by the carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomly allocated into 6 groups: G1 - treated with 0.05% BBN in drinking water (weeks…

The feasibility of robot-assisted radical cystectomy: an experimental study.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 36577927

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of the avatera system for performing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) followed by intracorporeal reconstruction of ileal neobladder. METHODS: Six anesthetized female pigs were used to perform RARC and formation of the intracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder. Three surgeons with different level of expertise in the use of robotic systems performed RARC after a short instructional lecture and a 2-h hands-on training. The urinary diversion phase was performed only by t…

Organoids for drug sensitivity prediction in urothelial carcinoma.

Pharmacogenomics · 2026 · PMID 42960592

ASO Author Reflections: From the Bedside to the Culture Dish: How Bladder Cancer Organoids Illuminate the Path Toward Precision Chemotherapy.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42932119

Patient-Derived Organoids for Predicting Chemotherapy Response in Bladder Cancer: A Multicenter, Real-world Validation Study.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42932116

BACKGROUND: Responses to chemotherapeutic agents vary substantially among patients with bladder cancer. The lack of preclinical models that accurately predict the clinical efficacy of intravesical chemotherapy remains a major barrier to precision oncology. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study (NCT06662071), 63 patients with bladder cancer were enrolled at four medical centers. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) were established using specimens obtained by transurethral resection of bladder tumor. A total of…

Construction and experimental validation of a macrophage cell senescence-related gene signature to evaluate the prognosis, immunotherapeutic sensitivity, and chemotherapy response in bladder cancer.

Functional & integrative genomics · 2023 · PMID 37423913

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal components of tumor microenvironment (TME), and senescent TAMs contribute to the alternation of the profiles of TME. However, the potential biological mechanisms and the prognosis value of senescent macrophages are largely unknown, especially in bladder cancer (BLCA). Based on the single-cell RNA sequencing of a primary BLCA sample, 23 macrophage-related genes were identified. Genomic difference analysis, LASSO, and Cox regression were used to develop the risk model. …

KLF6-driven macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition promotes PD-L1-mediated immune evasion in bladder cancer.

International immunopharmacology · 2026 · PMID 42574804

BACKGROUND: Although PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are central to the management of advanced bladder cancer, most patients fail to achieve a meaningful response. While evidence ties MMT to fibrotic disease, its contribution to bladder cancer has yet to be examined. METHODS: We assembled and analysed several complementary data modalities-bulk transcriptomes from TCGA-BLCA (n = 408 tumour, 19 normal) and incorporated single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics (nine sections), and two independent immunotherapy cohorts (Kim …

Corneal stromal metastasis of urothelial carcinoma in a dog.

Research in veterinary science · 2026 · PMID 42636554

A 15-year-old intact male Miniature Dachshund presented with severe hematuria. Clinical evaluations of this dog raised the suspicion of a malignant bladder tumor, and corneal stromal opacity was observed in the left eye. Because of the critical condition, the dog died on the day of presentation, after which a necropsy was performed. Necropsy and histopathological examinations confirmed urothelial carcinoma (UC) in the bladder. Moreover, the corneal stromal opacity represented a metastatic lesion of UC, and similar …

Liquid biopsy miRNA risk score in bladder cancer: Translational insights from patient-derived xenografts to prognostic stratification.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42594670

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BlCa) surveillance requires lifelong invasive monitoring, imposing substantial patient burden and healthcare costs. This underscores the need for minimally-invasive precision medicine approaches. Herein, we investigated the circulating miRNome of BlCa patients to assess its clinical and translational utility. METHODS: miRNA-seq was performed on tumors and matched plasma samples from 15 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. The screening cohort of the study consisted of 216 patien…

First-in-human outpatient management of recurrent NMIBC with the Multi4 instrument.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42725722

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and diagnostic performance of outpatient management of recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) under local anaesthesia using the Multi4 instrument, a series of preclinical studies were performed followed by a first-in-human clinical investigation. NMIBC is associated with frequent recurrence, requiring repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (TUR-B) under anaesthesia, resulting in substantial healthcare burden. The Multi4 instrument integrates loc…

Enhanced magnetic hyperthermia using anti-PD-L1 antibody-conjugated magnetoliposomes in a murine subcutaneous bladder cancer model.

International journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group · 2026 · PMID 41887926

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Bladder cancer (BC) often arises in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that limits responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) can induce immunogenic cell death, but its value as an immunotherapeutic remains insufficient. METHODS: We conjugated anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody (αPD-L1) with magnetite cationic liposomes (MCL) and developed αPD-L1@MCL for MHT in an MB49 murine subcutaneous BC model. Mice received a single or triple expo…

Long non-coding RNA H19 mediates the miR-29b/transforming growth factor-β1/Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic 3 signalling pathway to promote bladder fibrosis in diabetic rats.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 38530583

PURPOSE: Diabetic bladder fibrosis is a common comorbidity. Altered expression of some long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) has been associated with bladder fibrosis. LncRNA H19 has been reported to regulate bladder cancer through miR-29b. However, the action mechanism of LncRNA H19 in bladder fibrosis is unclear. METHODS: In vitro, human bladder smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) were cultured with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) for 48 h to construct cell model of bladder fibrosis. HBSMCs were then transfected with si…

Exploring the therapeutic potential of SGLT2 inhibitors in cancer treatment: integrating in silico and in vitro investigations.

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2024 · PMID 38416196

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of canagliflozin (CANA) and dapagliflozin (DAPA), sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, using in silico and in vitro approaches. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the targets of the inhibitors and GO gene enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation conducted to explore the interacting pathways. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies were performed to confir…

Visual extended reality tools in image-guided surgery in urology: a systematic review.

European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · 2024 · PMID 38589511

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the clinical implications of employing various Extended Reality (XR) tools for image guidance in urological surgery. METHODS: In June 2023, a systematic electronic literature search was conducted using the Medline database (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), Scopus, and Web of Science. The search strategy was designed based on the PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) criteria. Study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registry number CRD42023449025…

Neoadjuvant Durvalumab ± Tremelimumab in Combination With Dose-Dense Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Carcinoma: Results of the Phase I/II NEMIO Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42190158

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (ddMVAC) combined with durvalumab ± tremelimumab in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: NEMIO (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03549715) is a multicenter, randomized, noncomparative phase II trial in cT2-T4a N0-1 cisplatin-eligible MIBC planned for radical cystectomy (RC). Patients received ddMVAC (cisplatin 70 mg/m2, methotrexate 30 mg/m2, doxorubicin 30 mg/m2, an…

Atezolizumab in Combination With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin as First-Line Treatment in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: A Randomized Phase II Study of Two Alternative Dosing Schedules.

Clinical genitourinary cancer · 2026 · PMID 42217273

BACKGROUND: The potential impact of treatment sequencing in chemoimmunotherapy combinations remains underexplored. We evaluated 2 alternative dosing schedules of chemotherapy (cisplatin and gemcitabine [GC]) and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI; atezolizumab [A]) for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). METHODS: This multicenter phase II study randomized cisplatin-eligible patients with previously untreated mUC in a 1:1 ratio. The chemo-first schedule included 2 cycles of GC, followed by 4 cycles of GC + A and…

Tremelimumab with or without durvalumab in combination with paclitaxel in metastatic urothelial cancer: phase I/II ICRA trial.

Nature communications · 2026 · PMID 42310313

New therapeutic strategies for patients with therapy-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) are still needed. In the phase I-II ICRA trial, a multicenter, open-label, phase Ib-II clinical trial (NCT03871036), we evaluated whether paclitaxel plus tremelimumab, with or without durvalumab, could induce a tumor response in mUC following platinum chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). Patients were randomized between three arms: A (n = 20) paclitaxel plus T750mg; B (n = 12) paclitaxel plus T300mg…

Pan-cancer multi-omics machine learning defines a lactylation-associated immune-excluded tumor state with proteomic and experimental corroboration.

Computational biology and chemistry · 2026 · PMID 42556016

BACKGROUND: Histone lactylation links lactate metabolism to chromatin regulation, but whether lactylation-program-associated transcriptional patterns delineate recurrent pan-cancer tumor states remains unclear. METHODS: We integrated mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA profiles from 9712 TCGA tumors across 33 cancer types with GTEx references, six GEO cohorts, IMvigor210, and an institutional clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cohort used for exploratory DIA-NN proteomic corroboration. Random-effects co-expression meta-an…

Intravesical mitomycin-C administered immediately before transurethral resection of bladder tumor in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Clinical outcomes and molecular predictors from over 3 years of extended follow-up in a phase II trial.

Investigative and clinical urology · 2026 · PMID 42683856

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes and molecular correlates of response after immediate preoperative intravesical chemotherapy (IPeIC) with mitomycin-C (MMC) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center, open-label, randomized phase II trial, 33 patients received two split doses of IPeIC/MMC (40 mg/20 mL), whereas 38 patients underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) alone. The primary endpoint was 3-year recurrence-free survival…

A phase Ib/II, open-label, multicenter, randomized umbrella study evaluating the combination of atezolizumab with sacituzumab govitecan in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and previously treated with a platinum-based treatment regimen (MORPHEUS-Urothelial Carcinoma).

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42418909

BACKGROUND: MORPHEUS-UC (NCT03869190) is a signal-seeking, global, phase Ib/II, open-label, multicenter, randomized, umbrella study in patients with platinum-treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Patients were randomly assigned to one of seven atezolizumab (anti-programmed death-ligand 1)-based treatment combinations or atezolizumab monotherapy. We report efficacy and safety results for atezolizumab + sacituzumab govitecan (trophoblast cell surface antigen-2-directed antibody conjugate)…

Gemcitabine plus Nivolumab with Carboplatin or Oxaliplatin in Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Randomized Phase II Trial.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42001507

PURPOSE: Oxaliplatin has demonstrated the ability to sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade through its immunomodulatory properties in model systems of cancer. This randomized trial aimed to evaluate gemcitabine/oxaliplatin and gemcitabine/carboplatin, each combined with nivolumab, in cisplatin-ineligible patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cisplatin-ineligible patients with mUC were randomized 1:1 to gemcitabine/carboplatin plus nivolumab or gemcitabine/oxaliplatin pl…

Association between hyperphosphatemia and overall survival among patients with advanced urothelial cancer treated with erdafitinib in phase 2/3 clinical trials.

Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42240563

BACKGROUND: Hyperphosphatemia is a recognized on-target adverse event of erdafitinib, a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (pan-FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor with Food and Drug Administration approval to treat advanced urothelial cell carcinoma with FGFR2/3 mutations. This study hypothesized that hyperphosphatemia is a biomarker for drug activity and is associated with improved overall survival (OS) and other oncologic end points in phase 2/3 clinical trials. METHODS: Data from the phase 2 BLC2001 and cohorts …

Spatial architecture contributes to failure of bulk biomarker-guided neoadjuvant immunotherapy selection in bladder cancer: The DUTRENEO study.

Cell reports. Medicine · 2026 · PMID 42335902

Predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are largely identified retrospectively, but their prospective clinical utility remains unproven. Here, we report DUTRENEO, a prospective randomized phase 2 trial testing whether a retrospectively validated 18-gene bulk tumor inflammation signature (TIS) can guide neoadjuvant ICI therapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The trial does not meet its primary endpoint, and this demonstrates that bulk gene-expression stratification does not sufficiently enri…

Efficacy and Safety of Disitamab Vedotin Combined with Gemcitabine as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: An Open-label, Multicenter, Single-arm, Phase 2 Trial.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 41193372

There are barriers to the clinical use of cisplatin-based neoadjuvant regimens in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), especially for patients with renal dysfunction, hearing loss, heart diseases, or other severe comorbidities. Favorable efficacy and safety of disitamab vedotin (DV), an antibody-drug conjugate targeting HER2, have recently been demonstrated in urothelial carcinoma. We explored neoadjuvant gemcitabine combined with RC48 in the MIBC setting. Initially, 26 patients with clinical stage T2-4a Nx M0 MI…

Updated 5-year Survival Results from PURE-01, a Phase 2 Study of Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab Followed by Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 41633898

The PURE-01 trial evaluated three cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg followed by radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with cT2-3b N0 M0 muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) ineligible for or refusing cisplatin. A total of 155 patients were treated. We report survival outcomes after median follow-up of >60 mo and associations with pathological response rates and biomarker levels. In the intention-to-treat population, the 5-yr event-free survival rate was 68% and the 5-yr overall survival (OS) rate was 77%. In the RC coh…

Urinary protein semi-quantification in immunochemotherapy for bladder cancer: markers of clinical outcomes.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42639047

OBJECTIVE: PD-1 based immunochemotherapy has improved bladder cancer (BC) outcomes, yet individual responses remain heterogeneous. Low-cost, non-invasive predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. Urinary protein semi-quantification (UPSQ) correlates with BC tumor load, but its predictive value during PD-1 based immunochemotherapy remains unclear. We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the TRUCE-01 (NCT04730219) and TRUCE-02 (NCT04730232) trials to explore the association between UPSQ and clinical outcomes. METHODS: 1…

Neoadjuvant Sacituzumab Govitecan in Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Primary Results of the SURE-01 Trial.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42218654

PURPOSE: To evaluate neoadjuvant sacituzumab govitecan (SG), followed by radical cystectomy (RC), in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are ineligible for/refuse neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We report the results of the primary analysis and biomarker analyses of the phase II SURE-01 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05226117). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were age 18 years and older, had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1, had histologically confirmed cT2-T4aN…

Addition of Intravesical Recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin to Perioperative Chemoimmunotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Primary Analysis of the Single-Arm Phase II Trial SAKK 06/19.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42212670

PURPOSE: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is highly effective in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) but has not been evaluated in MIBC. The recombinant BCG vaccine VPM1002BC (rBCG) has potentially enhanced immunogenicity and an improved safety profile. We investigated neoadjuvant intravesical rBCG combined with chemoimmunotherapy in MIBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SAKK 06/19 was an open-label single-arm phase II trial for cT2-T4a N0-1 MIBC eligible for cisplatin and radical cystectomy with lymph node …

Efficacy, Safety, and Biomarker Analysis of Toripalimab Monoclonal Antibody Combined With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Phase II Clinical Trial.

The Journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 41701948

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of toripalimab combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin as the neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) before radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This phase II trial enrolled 30 patients with T2-3N0M0 MIBC scheduled for RC. Patients received a treatment regimen of toripalimab 240 mg, gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2, and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1, followed by gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on day 8, in 21-day cycles for a total of 4…

A phase 2 pilot study of water irrigation after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (WATIP) demonstrating safety, feasibility and activity.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 38436768

PURPOSE: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) can recur, partly due to seeding of free tumour cells after transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). Intravesical chemotherapy post-TURBT can reduce the risk but is used infrequently and inconsistently due to cost, complexity and side effects. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess continuous bladder irrigation using water, which may be a safer and easier alternative with comparable effectiveness. METHODS: WATIP was a prospective, single…

Long-term follow-up of a phase 1/2 trial of anti-GDF-15 antibody visugromab plus anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in anti-PD-1/-L1 relapsed/refractory solid tumors.

Journal of hematology & oncology · 2026 · PMID 42426863

BACKGROUND: Resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy is a major unmet need. Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) has been identified as a key resistance factor for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Visugromab, a neutralizing anti-GDF-15 antibody, plus the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab (V+N) was evaluated in the first-in-human phase 1/2a GDFATHER-01 trial in heavily pretreated participants with locally advanced/metastatic non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsq NSCLC), urothelial carcinoma (UC), or hepatocellular…

Phase 2 Trial of Intravesical Gemcitabine and Docetaxel as First-Line Treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin‒Naïve Nonmuscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma: Updated, 3-Year Outcomes.

The Journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42330429

PURPOSE: Combination intravesical gemcitabine-docetaxel (Gem/Doce) has demonstrated efficacy in bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)‒unresponsive high-risk (HR) nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, its efficacy as first-line treatment for BCG-naïve HR NMIBC is unknown. We previously reported recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 1 year. In this article, we present updated 3-year outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective, single-arm, open-label phase 2 trial for patients with BCG-naïve HR NMI…

Erdafitinib in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors With FGFR Alterations (RAGNAR): Results of Tumor-Specific Analyses and Secondary Cohorts.

JCO precision oncology · 2026 · PMID 42456086

PURPOSE: Erdafitinib, a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is approved for second-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with susceptible FGFR3 alterations. Primary histology-agnostic analysis from the phase II RAGNAR study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04083976) indicated a clinical benefit with erdafitinib in Broad Panel Cohort (BPC) patients. We present tumor-specific updated efficacy and safety results from the BPC and tumor-agnostic findi…

Oncolytic adenoviral therapy plus pembrolizumab in BCG-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: the phase 2 CORE-001 trial.

Nature medicine · 2024 · PMID 38844794

Cretostimogene grenadenorepvec is a serotype-5 oncolytic adenovirus designed to selectively replicate in cancer cells with retinoblastoma pathway alterations, previously tested as monotherapy in bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-experienced non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In this phase 2 study, we assessed the potential synergistic efficacy between intravesical cretostimogene and systemic pembrolizumab in patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ (CIS). Thirty-five pa…

Outcomes for females versus males treated with eribulin mesylate for advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Current problems in cancer · 2026 · PMID 42102451

PURPOSE: Multiple studies of bladder cancer noted worse outcomes in females compared to males. Few focused on prospective comparisons of sex regarding treatment response, survival, and toxicity. This phase 2 study compared outcomes of males and females with locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with eribulin mesylate. METHODS: Patients were treated with eribulin on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. Primary endpoint was best observed response (ORR) per RECIST. Secondary endpoints included diseas…

A phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of commercially available molecularly matched targeted therapies in the second-line setting.

The oncologist · 2026 · PMID 42485262

BACKGROUND: Initial studies have shown improved outcomes in patients receiving cancer therapies matched to their molecular alterations. To improve the chances of finding a therapeutic match for patients, this study evaluated the preliminary antitumor activity of 3 commercially available multitargeted agents in the United States, regorafenib, afatinib, and cabozantinib. METHODS: In this phase II trial, patients who did not benefit from first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), upper aerodigestive …

A Phase 2 Trial of Intravesical Cabazitaxel, Gemcitabine, and Cisplatin for the Treatment of Nonmuscle-Invasive Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-Unresponsive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder.

The Journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42467648

PURPOSE: A previously reported phase 1 trial at our institution using sequential instillation of intravesical cabazitaxel, gemcitabine, and cisplatin for bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer was found to be well tolerated and safe. Here we present our phase 2 results using this treatment protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center trial, patients with BCG-unresponsive high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer who refused or were ineligible for radical cystectomy…

Phase 1 study of KHK2455, a long-acting, potent and selective IDO1 inhibitor, in combination with avelumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42767768

BACKGROUND: Dual inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) may alleviate suppression of antitumor immune responses by overcoming redundant immunosuppressive pathways. This study evaluated the combination of KHK2455, a novel and selective, long-lasting, and potent oral IDO1 inhibitor, with avelumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor, in adults with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: This multicenter, open-label Phase 1 study evaluated the safety and tolerabil…

Liquid Biopsies for Cancer: A Translational Science Review.

JAMA · 2026 · PMID 42574031

IMPORTANCE: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) evaluation, in which fragments of tumor DNA circulating in a patient's bloodstream are extracted and analyzed, can be used to monitor cancer progression, detect residual cancer after treatment, and identify genetic changes within cancer cells that could affect treatment response. OBSERVATIONS: ctDNA sequencing identifies cancer cell gene variants that inform the selection of molecularly directed therapies in several types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, col…

The current use of the EORTC QLQ-NMIBC24 and QLQ-BLM30 questionnaires for the assessment of health-related quality of life in bladder cancer patients: a systematic review.

Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2023 · PMID 36648569

PURPOSE: Investigating the use of the EORTC bladder cancer (BC) modules by evaluating: (a) study contexts/designs; (b) languages/countries in which the modules were administered; (c) their acceptance by patients/investigators; and (d) their psychometric properties. METHODS: A systematic review was performed with studies from 1998 until 20/10/2021 in five databases. Articles/conference abstracts using the EORTC-QLQBLM30 (muscle invasive BC) and the EORTC-QLQNMIBC24 (previously referred to as QLQ-BLS24; non-muscle in…

Prospective comparative evaluation of clinical efficacy and safety of Intravesical gemcitabine-docetaxel versus BCG in adjuvant management of BCG-naive non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer in Indian population.

International urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 41843343

BACKGROUND: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard adjuvant therapy for intermediate/high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) but is limited by failure, toxicity, and global supply constraints. Sequential Intravesical gemcitabine-docetaxel (Gem/Doce) can offer a rational chemotherapy alternative. METHODS: In this prospective randomized, parallel-arm interventional study comparing efficacy and safety of Gem/Doce versus BCG in BCG-naïve intermediate/high-risk NMIBC, patients aged 18-8…

Evaluation of Candidate Urinary microRNAs in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Prospective Multicenter Biomarker Study (JCOG1403A1).

Genes · 2026 · PMID 42793039

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical associations of candidate urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), including their ability to discriminate patients with UTUC from healthy controls and their associations with relapse-free survival (RFS). METHODS: This prospective multicenter ancillary study of the JCOG1403 trial (JCOG1403A1 study) included 45 patients with UTUC and 16 healthy controls. Four candidate miRNAs (miR-130b, miR-182, miR-191, and miR-200a) were selected base…

Comparison of quality of life and sexual function after ileal vs. sigmoid orthotopic neobladder reconstruction following nerves, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle-sparing radical cystectomy: A prospective randomized study.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42217279

INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion is a standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, the impact of different bowel segments used for neobladder reconstruction on postoperative quality of life and sexual function remains underexplored. This prospective randomized study compared the outcomes of orthotopic ileal neobladders (INB) and sigmoid neobladders following nerve-sparing, vas deferens-sparing, seminal vesicle-sparing, and partial prostate-sparing radical cystect…

Effect of nefopam on postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort after transurethral resection of the bladder under general anesthesia: A randomized controlled trial.

The Journal of international medical research · 2026 · PMID 42850220

ObjectiveCatheter-related bladder discomfort is a common complication following transurethral resection of bladder tumor and may impair postoperative recovery. This study evaluated the effect of intraoperative nefopam on catheter-related bladder discomfort and postoperative recovery quality.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor under general anesthesia were allocated to either Group N (nefopam, 20 mg) or Group S (normal saline). Cath…

A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing subpectineal and interfascial obturator nerve block techniques in preventing adductor muscle spasm during transurethral resection of bladder tumors.

BMC anesthesiology · 2026 · PMID 42894134

BACKGROUND: Obturator nerve block (ONB) is commonly used to prevent adductor muscle spasm during transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) involving lateral wall lesions. This study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided subpectineal (proximal) and interfascial (distal) ONB techniques, utilizing an anatomically tailored dosing regimen adapted to the targeted fascial compartments. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled trial included 60 patients scheduled for ele…

Ileal conduit versus single stoma uretero-cutanoustomy after radical cystectomy in patients ≥ 75 years; which technique is better? a prospective randomized comparative study.

International urology and nephrology · 2023 · PMID 37133765

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical results and patients' health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of ileal conduit (IC) versus single stoma uretero-cutanoustomy (SSUC) after radical cystectomy in two groups of randomly selected patients ≥ 75 years. METHODS: From January 2013 to March 2018, 100 patients ≥ 75 years with muscle invasive BCa underwent RCX and cutaneous diversion. Patients were divided in two groups; group I underwent IC (50 patients) and group II underwent SSUC (50 patients). Postoperative evaluation incl…

Immediate intraoperative detrusor muscle status at primary transurethral resection of bladder tumour: a prospective, blinded, paired cohort, feasibility study using fluorescence confocal microscopy (IB1-LaserComplete study).

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42596073

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) for immediate detrusor muscle (DM) assessment during primary transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, blinded, paired-cohort feasibility study enrolled consecutive patients undergoing primary TURBT for suspected non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer between September 2024 and September 2025 (IB1-LaserComplete study; International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register [ISRCTN]16114765)…

HER1-HER4 expression and co-expression in advanced urothelial carcinoma.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42785914

BACKGROUND: The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family is under evaluation as a therapeutic target in urothelial cancer (UC); the significance of expression patterns beyond those of HER2 is unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumour samples from a prospective randomised phase II-III trial (NCT00949455) were analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RNA profiling. Associations with molecular subtype, chemotherapy response, and overall survival (OS) were explored. The analyses were exploratory, and P values …

A phase 2 pilot study of water irrigation after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (WATIP) demonstrating safety, feasibility and activity.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 38436768

PURPOSE: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) can recur, partly due to seeding of free tumour cells after transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). Intravesical chemotherapy post-TURBT can reduce the risk but is used infrequently and inconsistently due to cost, complexity and side effects. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess continuous bladder irrigation using water, which may be a safer and easier alternative with comparable effectiveness. METHODS: WATIP was a prospective, single…

Urine Methylation Test for Urothelial Cancer Diagnosis and Surveillance.

JAMA network open · 2026 · PMID 42809283

IMPORTANCE: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is characterized by frequent recurrence, and accurate noninvasive tests remain needed for early detection and postoperative surveillance. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a urine-based assay targeting AL021918.2 and vimentin (VIM) methylation for UC detection and postoperative surveillance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective, blinded, multicenter diagnostic study was performed at 3 tertiary medical centers in China. Samples were collected between December 1, …

Phase 2 Trial of Intravesical Gemcitabine and Docetaxel as First-Line Treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin‒Naïve Nonmuscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma: Updated, 3-Year Outcomes.

The Journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42330429

PURPOSE: Combination intravesical gemcitabine-docetaxel (Gem/Doce) has demonstrated efficacy in bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)‒unresponsive high-risk (HR) nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, its efficacy as first-line treatment for BCG-naïve HR NMIBC is unknown. We previously reported recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 1 year. In this article, we present updated 3-year outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective, single-arm, open-label phase 2 trial for patients with BCG-naïve HR NMI…

Fruit and vegetable consumption, dietary and plasma carotenoids and risks of recurrence and progression in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

European journal of nutrition · 2026 · PMID 42627386

PURPOSE: Fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease bladder cancer risk, but research on its relation to outcomes of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is scarce. We investigated the association of (changes in) pre- and postdiagnosis fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as postdiagnosis dietary and plasma carotenoids, with risks of recurrence and progression in patients with NMIBC. METHODS: Data from patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC between 2014 and 2021 from the prospective multi-centre cohort Uro…

Application of transformer-enhanced convolutional neural network: multicenter MRI assessment of muscle invasion in bladder cancer.

European radiology · 2026 · PMID 41934494

OBJECTIVE: Accurate preoperative assessment of muscle invasion in bladder cancer (BCa) guides therapy selection. However, MRI interpretation varies across readers and lesion morphologies. Therefore, we aimed to overcome the morphology-associated diagnostic bias through a deep learning method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter study included 1374 patients with BCa. An nnU-Net was fine-tuned to assist in lesion segmentation on T2-weighted images, providing inputs for a 2.5D ConvNeXt-tiny model to assess muscle …

The role of Bladder EpiCheck® test in predicting residual tumor after transurethral resection of bladder cancer: Results from a pilot study.

Urologia · 2026 · PMID 41992667

Bladder EpiCheck® (Nucleix Ltd, Israel) is a molecular urine assay detecting DNA methylation alterations associated with bladder cancer. This pilot study aimed to evaluate its diagnostic performance in predicting residual tumor in patients undergoing re-transurethral resection of bladder tumor (reTURB) according to international guidelines. After ethical approval, 79 patients were prospectively enrolled at two academic centers. Voided urine samples were collected before initial TURB and analyzed, generating an EpiS…

Effectiveness and safety of avelumab maintenance in patients aged ≥75 years with advanced urothelial cancer: a sub-analysis of the meet-URO 25 (MALVA) study.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42367804

BACKGROUND: Avelumab maintenance therapy is an established therapeutic approach for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) whose disease has not progressed after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. However, evidence on its effectiveness and safety in elderly patients remains limited. METHODS: This multicenter retro-prospective Italian study included 251 patients with advanced UC who received avelumab maintenance between 2021 and 2023. Outcomes were compared between patients aged ≥75 and <75 years. Pri…

Prophylactic intravenous dexamethasone is associated with reduced cutaneous toxicity during first-line enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

International journal of clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42687064

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous toxicity is common during enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab, but evidence for prophylaxis is limited. We evaluated whether institutional prophylactic intravenous dexamethasone before enfortumab vedotin was associated with reduced cutaneous toxicity in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort enrolled 172 patients at 11 Japanese institutions. Before enrollment, three institutions adopted fixed dexamethasone (6.6 mg) premedication and …

Real-World Characteristics and Early Outcomes of Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.

International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association · 2026 · PMID 42929436

BACKGROUND: Enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (EVP) has become a standard first-line regimen for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Further characterization of clinical heterogeneity and toxicity may complement existing Japanese real-world data. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective study across 11 Japanese institutions. Consecutive patients who initiated EVP for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma between October 2024 and December 2025 …

Lifestyle and dietary inflammation scores and risks of recurrence and progression among patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) · 2026 · PMID 42556054

A healthy lifestyle and diet may improve outcomes of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), potentially through reducing systemic inflammation. Therefore, this study investigated the association of a post-diagnosis Lifestyle (LIS) and Dietary Inflammation Score (DIS), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with the risks of NMIBC recurrence and progression. Patients with newly diagnosed NMIBC between 2014 and 2021 were recruited for the prospective multi-center cohort UroLife. Lifestyle …

Real-World Multicentre Evaluation of GALEAS Bladder for Detecting Bladder Cancer in UK NHS Haematuria Clinics.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 42680595

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cystoscopy is a core component of haematuria investigations; however, it is invasive and resource intensive. GALEAS Bladder is a DNA-based diagnostic urine test that measures mutations in 23 bladder cancer (BC)-associated genes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of GALEAS Bladder in real-world patients with haematuria and its utility as a molecular triage tool in this setting. METHODS: Patients referred for urgent investigation of haematuria were prospectively enroll…

Clinical Validation of a Multiplex Urine Biomarker Assay for Surveillance of Recurrent Bladder Cancer.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42391037

PURPOSE: More than 50% of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer experience recurrence, requiring lifelong surveillance with repeated cystoscopy. Given the invasive nature and cost of cystoscopy, accurate noninvasive tools are needed to support risk-adapted monitoring. We evaluated the ability of Oncuria-Monitor, a multiplex urine biomarker assay, to detect recurrent bladder cancer during surveillance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 2017 and August 2020, six medical centers in the United States an…

Impact of intravesical BCG Therapy on quality of life in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a prospective evaluation using the FACT-Bl questionnaire.

Actas urologicas espanolas · 2026 · PMID 41850566

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG) remains the standard treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC) and is also considered an option for intermediate and very high-risk groups. Despite over five decades of clinical use, limited information is available regarding patients' quality of life(QoL) during therapy. The objective was to evaluate QoL patients receiving BCG therapy using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder Cancer(FACT-Bl) questionnaire…

Prevalence of immune-related adverse events and anti-tumor efficacy in advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma following immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2023 · PMID 37217634

PURPOSE: We evaluated the prevalence of immune-related adverse events and anti-tumor efficacy in advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma following immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients with advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with ICIs in four Spanish institutions. irAEs were classified using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) v.5.0 guidelines. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Other endpoints…

Added value of synthetic MRI in refining biparametric MRI VI-RADS for predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Abdominal radiology (New York) · 2026 · PMID 41553526

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of synthetic MRI (SyMRI)-derived T1 and T2 values in predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and assess the feasibility of integrating them into the biparametric MRI Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (bpVI-RADS). METHODS: This prospective dual-center study included 42 patients (mean age: 71.90 ± 9.70 years, 90.5% male, 23.8% MIBC) with histologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma who underwent bladder MRI. Two radiologists independently assigned bpVI-RADS…

EAU Guidelines on Nonmuscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (TaT1 and CIS) - A Summary of the 2026 Guidelines Update.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 42457459

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This publication represents a summary of the updated 2026 European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), TaT1 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). The information presented herein is limited to urothelial carcinoma, unless specified otherwise. The aim is to provide practical recommendations on the clinical management of NMIBC, with a focus on clinical presentation. METHODS: For the 2026 guidelines on NMIBC, new and relevant evidence was identified, …

The Influence of Urinary Diversion Type on Body Image and Decision Regret Following Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 41390278

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The choice between different urinary diversion types carries distinct implications for physical appearance and psychosocial outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on how different urinary diversion types influence patients' body image and decision regret. METHODS: In this prospectively registered systematic review (CRD420251079300), we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in June 2025 for studies reporting body image and decision regret outcomes in pat…

Comparative evaluation of reproductive organ-preserving versus standard radical cystectomy in female: a meta-analysis and systematic review of perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.

Surgical endoscopy · 2024 · PMID 39009729

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) compared to standard radical cystectomy (SRC) in the treatment of female bladder cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in November 2023 across several scientific databases. We executed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest, adhering to the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420245015…

Robotic assisted vs open radical cystectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 38961035

Several randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published comparing open (ORC) with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). However, uncertainty persists regarding this issue, as evidences and recommendations on RARC are still lacking. In this systematic review and metaanalysis, we summarized evidence in this context. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria, using PubMed/Medline, Web Of Science and Embase, up to March 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. The prim…

Sexual life and intimate relationship experience among bladder cancer patients: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.

Frontiers in public health · 2026 · PMID 42688463

OBJECTIVES: The global incidence of bladder cancer continues to rise. Treatments for this disease, particularly radical cystectomy and urinary diversion, can profoundly disrupt sexual function and intimate relationships, leading to physiological, psychological, relational, and existential changes. However, qualitative evidence syntheses that integrate these experiences remain limited. This review aimed to synthesize qualitative research on bladder cancer patients' sexual life and intimate relationship experiences i…

Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC): A Systematic Review.

Oncology and therapy · 2026 · PMID 42642612

INTRODUCTION: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a chronic and recurrent condition requiring repeated intravesical treatments and lifelong surveillance, imposing a substantial burden on patients. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly required by regulatory bodies and HTA bodies to capture treatment impact from the patient perspective, yet no consensus on the optimal PRO instruments for use in NMIBC trials exists. This systematic review evaluated PRO instruments used in NMIBC and appraised the…

The current use of the EORTC QLQ-NMIBC24 and QLQ-BLM30 questionnaires for the assessment of health-related quality of life in bladder cancer patients: a systematic review.

Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2023 · PMID 36648569

PURPOSE: Investigating the use of the EORTC bladder cancer (BC) modules by evaluating: (a) study contexts/designs; (b) languages/countries in which the modules were administered; (c) their acceptance by patients/investigators; and (d) their psychometric properties. METHODS: A systematic review was performed with studies from 1998 until 20/10/2021 in five databases. Articles/conference abstracts using the EORTC-QLQBLM30 (muscle invasive BC) and the EORTC-QLQNMIBC24 (previously referred to as QLQ-BLS24; non-muscle in…

Comparison of quality of life and sexual function after ileal vs. sigmoid orthotopic neobladder reconstruction following nerves, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle-sparing radical cystectomy: A prospective randomized study.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42217279

INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion is a standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, the impact of different bowel segments used for neobladder reconstruction on postoperative quality of life and sexual function remains underexplored. This prospective randomized study compared the outcomes of orthotopic ileal neobladders (INB) and sigmoid neobladders following nerve-sparing, vas deferens-sparing, seminal vesicle-sparing, and partial prostate-sparing radical cystect…

Collecting electronic patient-reported outcomes via smartphone text messages in a bladder cancer RCT: A feasibility study.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42235120

Patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used to assess symptoms, treatment tolerance, and quality of life (QoL) in oncology. Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROM) offer advantages over paper questionnaires, but large-scale evidence using smartphone text messaging in clinical trials is limited. To evaluate the feasibility of collecting ePROM via smartphone text messages in a large-scale, multinational randomized controlled trial of patients receiving Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for non…

Symptom-guided reduction of BCG dwell time: findings from the north-REG randomized trial.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42538302

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of personalized dwell-time (DT) reductions on symptom prevalence and systemic toxicities in patients undergoing Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: Within a multinational randomized controlled trial (North-REG Dwell Time Study [NCT04701151]), 225 patients provided daily electronic patient-reported outcomes data during BCG induction and maintenance cycles. Participants were randomized 1:1, stratified by clinical site,…

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in urothelial carcinoma: a practical framework for patient selection, toxicity management, response assessment, and treatment sequencing.

Expert review of anticancer therapy · 2026 · PMID 41660943

INTRODUCTION: Managing urothelial carcinoma with immune checkpoint inhibitors requires addressing issues beyond clinical outcomes. Implementation difficulties affect most patients, predictive biomarkers show limited utility, and treatment discontinuation from toxicity remains problematic. AREAS COVERED: This article integrates clinical trials, systematic reviews, health-system evaluations, and guidelines from 2016 to 2025. We detail limitations of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, panel-based tumor muta…

Network meta-analysis of immune checkpoint inhibitors in BCG-naïve, high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42448544

PURPOSE: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) remains the standard first-line therapy for BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), yet recurrence and progression remain clinically significant. Multiple phase III trials have evaluated immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with BCG, but the relative efficacy of individual agents and the influence of carcinoma in situ (CIS) remain unclear. We performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare ICI-based regimens and assess treatment ranking, wit…

Ileal conduit versus single stoma uretero-cutanoustomy after radical cystectomy in patients ≥ 75 years; which technique is better? a prospective randomized comparative study.

International urology and nephrology · 2023 · PMID 37133765

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical results and patients' health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of ileal conduit (IC) versus single stoma uretero-cutanoustomy (SSUC) after radical cystectomy in two groups of randomly selected patients ≥ 75 years. METHODS: From January 2013 to March 2018, 100 patients ≥ 75 years with muscle invasive BCa underwent RCX and cutaneous diversion. Patients were divided in two groups; group I underwent IC (50 patients) and group II underwent SSUC (50 patients). Postoperative evaluation incl…

Patient-reported outcomes as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer clinical trial endpoints.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42806610

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency at which patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are incorporated as nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) clinical trial endpoints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Interventional trials limited to patients with NMIBC were queried from clinicaltrials.gov from 1994 to 2025 (start of trial). Observational studies or those without a discrete intervention were excluded. The incorporation of all PROs as primary and secondary endpoints was recorded. PROs were not limited to validated tools. They w…

Open and Robotic Radical Cystectomy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Techniques, Outcomes, and Evidence.

The Urologic clinics of North America · 2026 · PMID 42823046

This review examines the contemporary debate between open radical cystectomy and robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Drawing on randomized trials, including RAZOR, iROC, and MSKCC studies, we compare perioperative, oncologic, diversion-related, cost, and patient-reported outcomes. Current high-level evidence demonstrates oncologic noninferiority of RARC, with reduced blood loss but longer operative times and higher costs. Outcomes are strongly influenced by surgeon experie…

Impact of intravesical BCG Therapy on quality of life in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a prospective evaluation using the FACT-Bl questionnaire.

Actas urologicas espanolas · 2026 · PMID 41850566

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG) remains the standard treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC) and is also considered an option for intermediate and very high-risk groups. Despite over five decades of clinical use, limited information is available regarding patients' quality of life(QoL) during therapy. The objective was to evaluate QoL patients receiving BCG therapy using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder Cancer(FACT-Bl) questionnaire…

Contemporary Oncological and Patient-reported Outcomes of Intravesical Gemcitabine/Docetaxel in BCG-unresponsive Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Multi-institutional Prospective Cohort Study.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 42869744

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oncological and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of patients receiving sequential gemcitabine/docetaxel (Gem/Doce) for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients enrolled in prospective databases at two academic medical institutions who received Gem/Doce -for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC between January 2021 and January 2026 were included. The primary outcome was the 3-mo and 12-mo high-grade recurrence-…

Longitudinal data on health-related quality of life and its association with time to readmission in bladder perfusion patients.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42809033

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and time to readmission in patients undergoing bladder perfusion, to explore the association of longitudinal changes and patterns of HRQoL at readmission, and to generate hypotheses for future interventions to prolong time to readmission. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 267 patients who underwent bladder perfusion at Shanghai General Hospital from August 2021 to January 2024. The SF-36 questionnaire was used t…

Bladder preservation vs. radical cystectomy for T2N0M0: trends and survival outcomes from SEER.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42606609

PURPOSE: To compare treatment trends and survival between bladder‑preserving (BP) therapy and radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with T2N0M0 muscle‑invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) using a large population‑based cohort. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2010‑2022) to identify 10,495 patients with T2N0M0 MIBC. Temporal trends in treatment modalities (RC, trimodality therapy [TMT], partial cystectomy with chemotherapy [PC + CT], etc.) were an…

Health-Related Quality of Life Among People Diagnosed with High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder: Baseline Data from the ANZUP BCG + Mitomycin Clinical Trial.

Cancers · 2026 · PMID 42794890

Background/Objectives: Intravesical therapy is associated with a range of side effects. This study assessed baseline self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores and examined associations with clinical and demographic variables, as well as lower urinary symptom severity and bother scores, among individuals diagnosed with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) prior to initiating intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, either alone or in combination with Mitomycin. Methods: …

Real-world radical cystectomy use in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a global survey.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42826930

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate real-world utilisation of radical cystectomy (RC), its acceptance and limitations, and physician perspectives on RC in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC). PATIENTS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Adelphi Disease Specific Programme™, a multinational, cross-sectional survey of urologists and medical oncologists treating patients with HR-NMIBC in China, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Physicians reported patient demo…

Impact of protocolized intravesical instillation after TURBT on men's sexual quality of life:a retrospective cohort study.

Frontiers in urology · 2026 · PMID 42666825

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether protocolized intravesical gemcitabine instillation after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is associated with men's sexual quality of life, assessed using the Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (SLQQ), compared with a single immediate postoperative instillation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 244 men with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer undergoing TURBT between January 2021 and May 2024. Patients received either protocolized intravesical gemcit…

Management of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a real-world study in North America, Europe and Japan.

Future oncology (London, England) · 2026 · PMID 42504607

INTRODUCTION: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for approximately 75% of newly diagnosed bladder cancers and is particularly prevalent in men. Guidelines stratify patients into risk categories based on disease characteristics as patients often recur or progress to muscle-invasive disease. Most guidelines recommend transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by up to 3 years of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for high-risk (HR) patients. For very HR patients or those who recur …

Extended cancer registry data for real-world evidence in bladder cancer: an update on the Prospective Bladder Cancer Infrastructure.

ESMO real world data and digital oncology · 2026 · PMID 42733458

BACKGROUND: To advance clinical research and innovation in bladder cancer care, the Dutch Prospective Bladder Cancer Infrastructure (ProBCI) was established as a nationwide platform and has now been operational for 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ProBCI is a population-based cohort including all patients diagnosed since 2020 with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC), muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), or metastatic bladder cancer (mBC) in the Netherlands, comprising a Full and an Active Cohor…

Study protocol: a phase II study of trifluridine/tipiracil plus liposomal irinotecan as second-line therapy in advanced biliary tract cancer (TRITICC 2).

BMC cancer · 2026 · PMID 42875757

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer progressing after gemcitabine-based first-line therapy remains poor. Effective second-line treatment options are limited, and outcomes with currently available regimens are modest. Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) and nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) have demonstrated clinical activity in gastrointestinal malignancies and may provide synergistic antitumor effects. METHODS: TRITICC-2 is an investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label, mult…

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2024 · PMID 38530620

BACKGROUND: The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cancer. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to July 15, 2023, to identify eligible randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that lasted at least ≥24 weeks. The primary outcome was the overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidences of…

Intra-corporeal robot-assisted versus open radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42525253

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness between robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion (iRARC) and open radical cystectomy (ORC). METHODS: We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest according to the PRISMA and AMSTAR Guidelines. Five databases were systematically searched, including Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search timeframe was set from database creation to February 2026. RESULTS: The…

Perioperative Immunotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Strategies.

Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) · 2026 · PMID 42520756

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the perioperative immunotherapy-based regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed from January 2000 to October 2025, with an updated search through June 2026. Eligible studies included randomized trials and prospective clinical studies evaluating neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or combined perioperative immunotherapy-based strategies in patients with MIBC. Outcomes inc…

Extended Versus Non-Extended Lymphadenectomy in Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42655992

Pelvic lymph node dissection is an essential component of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC), but the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare oncologic and perioperative outcomes between extended and non-extended lymphadenectomy during RC for BC. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials. gov were searched up to October 2025 following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observati…

The Influence of Urinary Diversion Type on Body Image and Decision Regret Following Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review.

European urology focus · 2026 · PMID 41390278

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The choice between different urinary diversion types carries distinct implications for physical appearance and psychosocial outcomes. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on how different urinary diversion types influence patients' body image and decision regret. METHODS: In this prospectively registered systematic review (CRD420251079300), we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in June 2025 for studies reporting body image and decision regret outcomes in pat…

Evaluating the Surrogacy of Pathological Complete Response at Radical Cystectomy in Neoadjuvant-based Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Trials.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 42342498

Overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard end point in neoadjuvant trials for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), yet its assessment requires prolonged follow-up. Whether pathological complete response (pCR) at radical cystectomy (RC) can serve as a valid trial-level surrogate remains unclear. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analytic surrogacy analysis (PROSPERO CRD420251050357) of prospective nonrandomized trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating neoadju…

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) with or without immune checkpoint blockade in BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42556596

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 75% of bladder cancers. Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection followed by BCG instillation, 30-40% of patients relapse. We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus BCG versus BCG alone in BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data (rIPD) meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Individual patient data were re…

Safety profile of BCG with or without immunotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42777327

BACKGROUND: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard of care for BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Recent phase III trials showed reduced disease recurrence with the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to BCG induction plus maintenance but with increased toxicity. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of this treatment intensification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomized phase II-III trials comparing BCG plus anti-programm…

Simultaneous surgery for NMIBC and BOO: evaluating surgical safety to oncological benefit.

Minerva urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 42823863

BACKGROUND: Current evidence demonstrates that simultaneous surgical management of bladder cancer (BCa) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is oncologically safe, despite well-known concerns. This systematic review and meta-analysis primarily evaluates oncological outcomes of concurrent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and BOO surgery compared to TURBT alone or staged treatments; perioperative safety is descriptively summarized. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochra…

Clinical complete response as a surrogate for pathological response in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 41839747

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concordance between clinical complete response (cCR) and pathological complete response (pCR) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) to assess the surrogacy and prognostic value of cCR for guiding bladder-sparing strategies. METHODS: In this prospectively registered systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD420251066540), we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science in June 2025 for studies reporting clinical and pathological complete response rates in patients with MIBC undergoing neo…

Robotic assisted vs open radical cystectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2024 · PMID 38961035

Several randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published comparing open (ORC) with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). However, uncertainty persists regarding this issue, as evidences and recommendations on RARC are still lacking. In this systematic review and metaanalysis, we summarized evidence in this context. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria, using PubMed/Medline, Web Of Science and Embase, up to March 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. The prim…

Efficacy and safety of combination versus single-agent immunotherapy for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42582256

BACKGROUND: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard adjuvant therapy for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC); however, a substantial proportion of patients develop BCG-unresponsive disease with limited bladder-preserving options. The objective of this study was to determine whether combination immunotherapy provides superior clinical efficacy and safety compared with single-agent immunotherapy for patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. METHODS: We conducted a systematic analysis of studies re…

ctDNA-guided or ctDNA-stratified adjuvant immunotherapy compared with observation or placebo after radical surgery for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 42661024

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant immunotherapy after radical surgery for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma has produced heterogeneous trial-level results, partly because clinicopathological risk factors do not completely identify patients with molecular residual disease (MRD). Circulating tumor DNA may refine postoperative treatment selection by distinguishing patients who are most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition from those who may experience unnecessary toxicity. METHODS: This systematic review and meta…

A Systematic Review of Intracavitary Therapies for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

European urology oncology · 2026 · PMID 41241654

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Radical nephroureterectomy is the standard of care for management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), but treatment-associated morbidity is not uncommon. Intracavitary therapy has emerged as a less invasive alternative for selected cases, particularly carcinoma in situ (CIS) and low-grade papillary tumors. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the outcomes, recurrence rates, and adverse events associated with intracavitary therapy (immunotherapy or chemoablation) for UTUC. M…

Comparative efficacy of perioperative systemic therapies for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a network meta-analysis of randomized trials.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42485700

BACKGROUND: The perioperative treatment landscape of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is rapidly evolving with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)- and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-based strategies. However, direct randomized comparisons among contemporary regimens are lacking, limiting the interpretation and positioning of treatments. We aimed to compare the efficacy of perioperative systemic treatment strategies for MIBC with a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (R…

The use of artificial intelligence and wearable devices in enhanced recovery after surgery pathways following radical cystectomy: A systematic review.

The Journal of international medical research · 2026 · PMID 42750161

ObjectiveRadical cystectomy is associated with relatively high rates of 90-day complications (58%-66%) and readmission (40%). The increasing availability of wearable devices, such as Fitbit devices, Misfit trackers and SenseWear armbands, may offer opportunities to improve postoperative outcomes. This review aimed to explore the roles of wearable devices and artificial intelligence in the perioperative care of patients undergoing radical cystectomy.MethodsA systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD420261279062) was conducte…

Response rate specific to bone metastasis of various cancers for immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review.

European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2024 · PMID 38836904

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the prognosis of patients with cancer, such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and urothelial carcinoma. The extension of life expectancy has led to an increased incidence of bone metastases (BM) among patients with cancer. BM result in skeletal-related events, including severe pain, pathological fractures, and nerve palsy. Surgery is typically required for the treatment of BM in patients with an imp…

Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors for urothelial carcinoma: systematic review and Meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39023778

PURPOSE: To compare disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) among muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) patients receiving adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) versus placebo/observation following radical surgery. METHODS: This was a systematic review/meta-analysis of all published phase 3 randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception until April 4, 2024. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and relative risks (RR), plus confidence i…

Visual extended reality tools in image-guided surgery in urology: a systematic review.

European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · 2024 · PMID 38589511

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the clinical implications of employing various Extended Reality (XR) tools for image guidance in urological surgery. METHODS: In June 2023, a systematic electronic literature search was conducted using the Medline database (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), Scopus, and Web of Science. The search strategy was designed based on the PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) criteria. Study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registry number CRD42023449025…

Adjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma: An Updated Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Network Meta-analysis.

Targeted oncology · 2025 · PMID 39535690

CONTEXT: Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently emerged as guideline-recommended treatments of high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). However, there is limited evidence regarding the optimal candidates and the differential efficacy of adjuvant ICI regimens. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize and compare the efficacy and safety of adjuvant ICIs for high-risk MIUC using updated data from phase III randomized controlled trials. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In April 2024, three databases were searche…

Indirect Comparison of Neoadjuvant Treatment Strategies for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: ddMVAC and Perioperative Durvalumab-Gemcitabine-Cisplatin Versus Gemcitabine-Cisplatin: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42050770

For cisplatin-eligible patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC), neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC) is standard of care. More intensive regimens such as dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (ddMVAC) and chemoimmunotherapy with durvalumab plus gemcitabine-cisplatin (D-GC) have shown superior outcomes. This network meta-analysis (NMA) compares the efficacy of ddMVAC, D-GC and GC and explores the efficacy thresholds for emerging thera…

Ileum vs Colon for Neobladder Reconstruction After Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Urology journal · 2026 · PMID 42773766

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare and evaluate the functional outcomes and safety of ileal neobladder and colonic neobladder (sigmoid and ileocecal subtypes) after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Subgroup analyses compared ileal neobladder with sigmoid neobladder and ileocecal neobladder. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Sca…

Antidiabetic medications and the risk of bladder cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42314323

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy of the urinary system worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its treatments may influence BC risk, but existing evidence is conflicting. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the association between various classes of antidiabetic medications (ADMs) and BC risk in patients with T2DM. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines, searching multiple databases up to September 30, 2025. Cohort studies, case-control studies…

Neoadjuvant Durvalumab ± Tremelimumab in Combination With Dose-Dense Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Carcinoma: Results of the Phase I/II NEMIO Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42190158

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (ddMVAC) combined with durvalumab ± tremelimumab in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: NEMIO (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03549715) is a multicenter, randomized, noncomparative phase II trial in cT2-T4a N0-1 cisplatin-eligible MIBC planned for radical cystectomy (RC). Patients received ddMVAC (cisplatin 70 mg/m2, methotrexate 30 mg/m2, doxorubicin 30 mg/m2, an…

Prospective comparative evaluation of clinical efficacy and safety of Intravesical gemcitabine-docetaxel versus BCG in adjuvant management of BCG-naive non-muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer in Indian population.

International urology and nephrology · 2026 · PMID 41843343

BACKGROUND: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard adjuvant therapy for intermediate/high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) but is limited by failure, toxicity, and global supply constraints. Sequential Intravesical gemcitabine-docetaxel (Gem/Doce) can offer a rational chemotherapy alternative. METHODS: In this prospective randomized, parallel-arm interventional study comparing efficacy and safety of Gem/Doce versus BCG in BCG-naïve intermediate/high-risk NMIBC, patients aged 18-8…

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2024 · PMID 38530620

BACKGROUND: The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cancer. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases up to July 15, 2023, to identify eligible randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that lasted at least ≥24 weeks. The primary outcome was the overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidences of…

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) with or without immune checkpoint blockade in BCG-naïve high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42556596

BACKGROUND: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 75% of bladder cancers. Despite standard treatment with transurethral resection followed by BCG instillation, 30-40% of patients relapse. We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus BCG versus BCG alone in BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and reconstructed individual patient data (rIPD) meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Individual patient data were re…

Comparative evaluation of reproductive organ-preserving versus standard radical cystectomy in female: a meta-analysis and systematic review of perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.

Surgical endoscopy · 2024 · PMID 39009729

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of reproductive organ-preserving radical cystectomy (ROPRC) compared to standard radical cystectomy (SRC) in the treatment of female bladder cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in November 2023 across several scientific databases. We executed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest, adhering to the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420245015…

Comparison between robot-assisted versus open nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: outcomes from a pooled analysis.

Journal of robotic surgery · 2023 · PMID 36884204

The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) and open nephroureterectomy (ONU) for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We systematically searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to locate pertinent studies published in English up to January 2023. The primary outcomes evaluated included perioperative results, complications, and oncologic outcomes. Statistical analyses and calculations…

Device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy versus bacillus Calmette-Guerin for intermediate or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic reviewer and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 37659995

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy compared to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of patients with intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: In February 2023, a systematic search was conducted on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest were performed. The review was prospectively registered on…

The prognosis and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation in patients after transurethral resection of bladder tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative study.

Updates in surgery · 2023 · PMID 37188906

The prognosis and safety of continuous saline bladder irrigation (CSBI) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) as an alternative method needs to be explored. A literature review and meta-analysis were performed by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and original references of the included articles. PRISMA checklists were followed. We used the GRADEpro GDT to assess the certainty of evidence from the results of our meta-analysis. A total of eight articles including 1600 patients were …

Comparison of morbidity and mortality after radical cystectomy between individuals older and younger than 80 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

International urology and nephrology · 2024 · PMID 38095810

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes related to survival and post-operative complications in individuals older and younger than 80 years with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). METHODS: We conducted a systematic search using three large databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. We included observational studies comparing outcomes between individuals older than 80 years and younger patients undergoing RC. The outcomes of interest included overall survival, disease-specific survival, progression-free survival,…

Adjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma: An Updated Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Network Meta-analysis.

Targeted oncology · 2025 · PMID 39535690

CONTEXT: Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently emerged as guideline-recommended treatments of high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). However, there is limited evidence regarding the optimal candidates and the differential efficacy of adjuvant ICI regimens. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize and compare the efficacy and safety of adjuvant ICIs for high-risk MIUC using updated data from phase III randomized controlled trials. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In April 2024, three databases were searche…

Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors for urothelial carcinoma: systematic review and Meta-analysis.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39023778

PURPOSE: To compare disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) among muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) patients receiving adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) versus placebo/observation following radical surgery. METHODS: This was a systematic review/meta-analysis of all published phase 3 randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception until April 4, 2024. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and relative risks (RR), plus confidence i…

Risk of bladder, kidney and prostate cancer from occupational exposure to welding fumes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

International archives of occupational and environmental health · 2024 · PMID 38231405

BACKGROUND: Our aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of cohort studies on risk of genitourinary (GU) cancers in workers exposed to welding fumes (WF). METHODS: We performed a systematic review of studies published on Pubmed, Scopus and Embase following PRISMA criteria. Two researchers selected cohort studies on WF exposure. From 2582 articles, 7 non-overlapping studies were included. Quality of studies was scored according to CASP. We run a random effects meta-analysis to calculate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confid…

Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Untreated Advanced Urothelial Cancer.

The New England journal of medicine · 2024 · PMID 38446675

BACKGROUND: No treatment has surpassed platinum-based chemotherapy in improving overall survival in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: We conducted a phase 3, global, open-label, randomized trial to compare the efficacy and safety of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab with the efficacy and safety of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Patients were randomly assigned in a…

Aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herbal medicine and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan: a narrative review.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 35867141

PURPOSE: The high incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in Taiwan is largely due to exposure to aristolochic acid (AA), a principal component of Aristolochia-based herbal medicines. Here we systematically review the molecular epidemiology, clinical presentation and biomarkers associated with AA-induced UTUC. METHODS: This is a narrative review. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 31, 2021. Studies evaluating the association, detection, and clinical cha…

The genitourinary impacts of electronic cigarette use: a systematic review of the literature.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37524850

PURPOSE: Electronic cigarette (e-cig) use is prevalent. The health implications of e-cig use on the genitourinary (GU) system are uncertain. This systematic review aims to evaluate how e-cig use impacts the GU system. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Ovid alongside citation searching. Review articles, non-English papers, animal model/cell line studies or articles only on combustible cigarettes were excluded. Quality assessment was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklis…

Symptom-guided reduction of BCG dwell time: findings from the north-REG randomized trial.

BJU international · 2026 · PMID 42538302

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of personalized dwell-time (DT) reductions on symptom prevalence and systemic toxicities in patients undergoing Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: Within a multinational randomized controlled trial (North-REG Dwell Time Study [NCT04701151]), 225 patients provided daily electronic patient-reported outcomes data during BCG induction and maintenance cycles. Participants were randomized 1:1, stratified by clinical site,…

Use of Antihyperglycemic Drugs and Risk of Cancer in Patients with Diabetes.

Current oncology reports · 2023 · PMID 36445570

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for several types of cancer. Therefore, use of antihyperglycemic medications to lower blood glucose may modify cancer risk. Here we review available data on the link between the most common classes of antihyperglycemic agents and cancer risk among patients with diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: A database search was conducted between February 2022 and June 2022 on PubMed and Embase for systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the association betwee…

Ileal conduit versus single stoma uretero-cutanoustomy after radical cystectomy in patients ≥ 75 years; which technique is better? a prospective randomized comparative study.

International urology and nephrology · 2023 · PMID 37133765

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical results and patients' health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of ileal conduit (IC) versus single stoma uretero-cutanoustomy (SSUC) after radical cystectomy in two groups of randomly selected patients ≥ 75 years. METHODS: From January 2013 to March 2018, 100 patients ≥ 75 years with muscle invasive BCa underwent RCX and cutaneous diversion. Patients were divided in two groups; group I underwent IC (50 patients) and group II underwent SSUC (50 patients). Postoperative evaluation incl…

A 10-year renaissance of en bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT): Are we approaching the peak or is it back to the trough?

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37244879

BACKGROUND: The number of studies suggesting that en bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) is superior to transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) management is growing. The aim of this review is to discuss the features of these procedures and to determine the prospects of en bloc in NMIBC management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a literature search using two databases (Medline and Scopus) and included any research which reported ERBT outcomes. RESULTS:…

En bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) revisited 12 years after reintroduction: too good to be further ignored.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37819587

En bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) orginally described in 1980 and adopted by few centers in the late 1990s has regained attention in the 2010s as a renaissance of a technique with high potential. The advent of new lasers indirectly lead to a better understanding of anatomical dissection from the experience in anatomical dissection in endoscopic enucleation of the prostate. 12 years after the reintroduction of ERBT evidence mounts that it is not only equivalent but better in some regards. However, ERBT stil…

Effects of an intraoperative intravenous Bolus Dose of Dexmedetomidine on postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort in male patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumors: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

European journal of clinical pharmacology · 2024 · PMID 38216655

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the effect of intravenous bolus doses of dexmedetomidine on postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) was dose-dependent in male patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT). METHODS: The study protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR 2,000,034,657, date of registration: July 14, 2020). Adult male patients were randomized to one of four groups: placebo (Group C); dexmedetomidine 0.2 µg/kg (Group D 0.2); dexmedetomi…

Robotic-assisted intracorporeal radical cystectomy with modified ileal conduit reduces ureteroileal anastomotic stenosis risk: a comparative study with laparoscopic surgery.

Annals of medicine · 2026 · PMID 42525819

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an innovative robot-assisted totally intracorporeal antecolic modified ileal conduit procedure (robotic group) versus laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic group) in bladder cancer patients, providing evidence for optimizing urinary diversion strategies and reducing associated complications. METHODS: From Jan 2023 to Oct 2025, 69 patients undergoing total cystectomy by one surgeon were enrolled; 23 received robotic surgery (KangDuo SR2000) and 46 laparos…

Neoadjuvant nivolumab with or without visugromab in muscle-invasive bladder cancer: the phase 2a GDFATHER-NEO trial.

Nature medicine · 2026 · PMID 42926233

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is overexpressed in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and was recently identified as a potential therapeutic target to overcome resistance to programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) blockade. We investigated the safety and efficacy of GDF-15 blockade in an exploratory, stratified, placebo-controlled, single-blinded, nonrandomized phase 2a trial (GDFATHER-NEO). Thirty-one cisplatin-ineligible or cisplatin-refusing patients with newly diagnosed MI…

Postoperative radiotherapy after radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Patient selection, target delineation and contemporary evidence.

Cancer radiotherapie : journal de la Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique · 2026 · PMID 42933265

Following radical cystectomy, muscle-invasive bladder cancer remains associated with a substantial risk of locoregional recurrence, particularly in patients with pT3-4 disease, nodal involvement, positive surgical margins, or limited pelvic lymph node dissection. Historically, adjuvant radiotherapy reduced pelvic recurrence rates but was largely abandoned because of toxicity concerns associated with older radiation techniques. The development of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy, contempor…

Real-world outcomes of first-line chemotherapy for unresectable stage III and IV bladder cancer.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37145158

PURPOSE: For many malignancies, considerable divergence between the efficacy found in clinical trials and effectiveness in routine practice have been reported (efficacy-effectiveness gap). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy-effectiveness gap in palliative first-line (1L) chemotherapy treatment (CTx) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. METHODS: From seven Dutch teaching hospitals, all patients diagnosed with unresectable stage III (cT2-4aN1-3M0) and IV (cT4b and/or cM1) disease, who received…

Design and rationale of a single-arm phase II study of neoadjuvant Durvalumab and Gemcitabine associated with Cisplatin or Carboplatin for upper urinary tract urothelial cancer: the iNDUCT trial (NCT04617756).

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 37698632

BACKGROUND: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is often locally advanced at initial diagnosis and is associated with high recurrence and mortality rates after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy has shown a recurrence-free survival benefit in a randomised phase III trial, while neoadjuvant treatment seems promising in retrospective series. On the contrary, little is known about the role of perioperative immunotherapy and its combination with chemotherapy for UTUC pati…

The role of perioperative chemotherapy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

World journal of urology · 2023 · PMID 36905443

PURPOSE: To summarize evidence regarding the use of neoadjuvant (NAC) and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) among patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE and the Cochrane library was performed to identify any original or review article on the role of perioperative chemotherapy for UTUC patients treated with RNU. RESULTS: With regards to NAC, retrospective studies consistently suggested that it may be associated with better pathological …

Dietary Fatty Acids and Bladder Cancer Risk: Insights from the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial.

Nutrition and cancer · 2025 · PMID 40237627

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the consumption of different dietary fatty acids and the risk of bladder cancer. A quantitative analysis was conducted using data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, which included 101,731 participants. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for bladder cancer risk in relation to dietary fatty acid intake. During a median follow-up of 11.3 years, 86…

Clinical effectiveness of a multitarget urine DNA test for urothelial carcinoma detection: a double-blinded, multicenter, prospective trial.

Molecular cancer · 2024 · PMID 38504268

Urine-based testing is promising for noninvasive diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC) but has suboptimal sensitivity for early-stage tumors. Herein, we developed a multitarget urine tumor DNA test, UI-Seek, for UC detection and evaluated its clinical feasibility. The prediction model was developed in a retrospective cohort (n = 382), integrating assays for FGFR3 and TERT mutations and aberrant ONECUT2 and VIM methylation to generate a UC-score. The test performance was validated in a double-blinded, multicenter, …

Adjuvant nivolumab versus placebo for high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma: 5-year efficacy and ctDNA results from CheckMate 274.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41110694

BACKGROUND: Despite surgery, recurrence rates remain high in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). The phase III randomized, double-blind, multicenter CheckMate 274 trial comparing adjuvant nivolumab versus placebo in patients with high-risk MIUC after radical surgery demonstrated that adjuvant nivolumab improved disease-free survival (DFS) versus placebo. We report results with 5-year minimum follow-up including exploratory analyses of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients h…

Long-term Results from the LEA Randomized Trial: Extended Versus Standard Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Bladder Cancer Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

European urology · 2025 · PMID 40967930

The extent of lymph node dissection (LND) at the time of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC) may affect oncologic outcomes. We present updated long-term data from a prospective, multicenter, phase 3 trial involving patients with locally resectable, high-risk T1 grade 3 or muscle-invasive urothelial BC (T2-T4a M0) without neoadjuvant treatment (trial LEA AUO AB 25/02; NCT01215071). A total of 401 patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to either standard LND (sLND: obturator, internal, and external iliac nod…

Comparison of Complication and Readmission Rates Between Robot-Assisted and Open Radical Cystectomy: Results From the Randomized RAZOR Clinical Trial.

The Journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 40080805

PURPOSE: We assessed differences in complications and readmissions between robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and open radical cystectomy (ORC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study uses data from the per-protocol population of the Randomized Robotic-Assisted vs Open Radical Cystectomy (RAZOR) study, a multicenter, open-label, phase 3, noninferiority clinical trial. RAZOR enrolled across 15 academic medical centers in the United States between 2011 and 2014. The median follow-up was 2 years. Complications up to …

Neoadjuvant Durvalumab ± Tremelimumab in Combination With Dose-Dense Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Carcinoma: Results of the Phase I/II NEMIO Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42190158

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (ddMVAC) combined with durvalumab ± tremelimumab in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: NEMIO (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03549715) is a multicenter, randomized, noncomparative phase II trial in cT2-T4a N0-1 cisplatin-eligible MIBC planned for radical cystectomy (RC). Patients received ddMVAC (cisplatin 70 mg/m2, methotrexate 30 mg/m2, doxorubicin 30 mg/m2, an…

The long-term impact of single intraoperative instillation of pirarubicin after radical nephroureterectomy on local and systemic cancer control: a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 40080123

PURPOSE: Although the preventive effect against intravesical recurrence (IVR) has been established for single instillation of chemotherapy during or after radical surgery of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), there has been no research on the long-term outcome. This study aims to investigate the IVR and long-term survival outcome of a single intraoperative instillation of pirarubicin during radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter, randomized trial, 97 patients under…

Surgical outcomes after neoadjuvant avelumab with or without chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive bladder cancer: a Post-Hoc analysis of the aura trial (Oncodistinct-004).

World journal of urology · 2026 · PMID 41528535

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy is emerging as promising strategy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), yet its perioperative safety remains understudied. This post-hoc analysis of the AURA phase-II trial assesses surgical outcomes following neoadjuvant avelumab with or without chemotherapy. METHODS: We analyzed 88 patients with localized MIBC from the phase 2 multicenter AURA trial (NCT03674424) who underwent radical cystectomy after receiving either avelumab monotherapy (n = 22) or chemo-immunotherap…

ALBAN (GETUG-AFU 37): a phase III, randomized, open-label international trial of intravenous atezolizumab and intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) versus BCG alone in BCG-naive high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41110692

BACKGROUND: Standard treatment of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor is intravesical instillation with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) (induction and maintenance regimens); however, BCG therapy still fails in 30%-40% of patients. Prior studies suggest that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and alterations in immune infiltration might be associated with BCG failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The ALBAN trial is an international, 1 : 1 randomized, …

Evaluation of Candidate Urinary microRNAs in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Prospective Multicenter Biomarker Study (JCOG1403A1).

Genes · 2026 · PMID 42793039

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical associations of candidate urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), including their ability to discriminate patients with UTUC from healthy controls and their associations with relapse-free survival (RFS). METHODS: This prospective multicenter ancillary study of the JCOG1403 trial (JCOG1403A1 study) included 45 patients with UTUC and 16 healthy controls. Four candidate miRNAs (miR-130b, miR-182, miR-191, and miR-200a) were selected base…

An international multicentre randomised controlled trial of en bloc resection of bladder tumour vs conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumour: first results of the en bloc resection of urothelium carcinoma of the bladder (EBRUC) II trial.

BJU international · 2025 · PMID 39462182

OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety and oncological advantages of en bloc resection of bladder tumour (ERBT) vs conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumour (cTURBT) in terms of resection quality, staging quality, and safety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-blinded randomised controlled trial at seven European hospitals with the following inclusion criteria: first diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, no singular carcinoma in situ, and tumour size >4.3 mm. Patients were randomised i…

ctDNA-Guided Adjuvant Atezolizumab in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

The New England journal of medicine · 2025 · PMID 41124204

BACKGROUND: Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer have varied outcomes after cystectomy. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based detection of molecular residual disease may identify patients at high risk for recurrence after cystectomy who can benefit from adjuvant immunotherapy, thus sparing patients at lower risk from unnecessary treatment burden. METHODS: In a phase 3, double-blind, randomized trial, we used serial ctDNA testing to monitor (for up to 1 year) patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and no…

Image directed redesign of bladder cancer treatment pathways: the BladderPath RCT.

Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2024 · PMID 39246267

BACKGROUND: Transurethral resection of bladder tumour has been the mainstay of bladder cancer staging for > 60 years. Staging inaccuracies are commonplace, leading to delayed treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging offers rapid, accurate and non-invasive staging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, potentially reducing delays to radical treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and efficacy of the introducing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging ahead of tr…

Active Surveillance Versus Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for High-grade T1 Bladder Cancer with Negative Second Transurethral Resection: The Randomized Noninferiority Phase 3 JCOG1019 Trial.

European urology · 2026 · PMID 41571573

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the noninferiority of active surveillance (AS) in comparison to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in terms of recurrence and progression for patients with high-grade T1 (HG T1) bladder cancer at initial transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) and no residual tumor at second TURB. METHODS: After initial evaluation, participants diagnosed with HG T1 bladder cancer who had undergone complete eradication of visible tumors underwent a second TURB. Those with specime…

Comparison of quality of life and sexual function after ileal vs. sigmoid orthotopic neobladder reconstruction following nerves, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle-sparing radical cystectomy: A prospective randomized study.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42217279

INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion is a standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, the impact of different bowel segments used for neobladder reconstruction on postoperative quality of life and sexual function remains underexplored. This prospective randomized study compared the outcomes of orthotopic ileal neobladders (INB) and sigmoid neobladders following nerve-sparing, vas deferens-sparing, seminal vesicle-sparing, and partial prostate-sparing radical cystect…

Ureteroenteric strictures following retrosigmoid vs. conventional ileal conduit - The MOSAIC study (The DaBlaCa-16 study).

BJU international · 2025 · PMID 40936067

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rate of left-sided ureteroenteric strictures (UES) following robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with a retrosigmoid ileal conduit compared to a conventional ileal conduit in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicentre, RCT included 303 patients undergoing RARC between May 2020 and August 2022. Patients were randomised to receive either a retrosigmoid or a conventional ileal conduit. Analyses were performed an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Of the…

Collecting electronic patient-reported outcomes via smartphone text messages in a bladder cancer RCT: A feasibility study.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42235120

Patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used to assess symptoms, treatment tolerance, and quality of life (QoL) in oncology. Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROM) offer advantages over paper questionnaires, but large-scale evidence using smartphone text messaging in clinical trials is limited. To evaluate the feasibility of collecting ePROM via smartphone text messages in a large-scale, multinational randomized controlled trial of patients receiving Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for non…

Results of the Prospective Randomized UroFollow Trial Comparing Marker-guided Versus Cystoscopy-based Surveillance in Patients with Low/Intermediate-risk Bladder Cancer.

European urology oncology · 2025 · PMID 40340174

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A growing body of evidence suggests that the intensity of current follow-up in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients greatly exceeds clinical necessities. The UroFollow trial investigated the diagnostic accuracy of marker-based follow-up in patients with low/intermediate-risk NMIBC against the standard of care (SOC) for noninferiority (margin: <20%). METHODS: Patients with Ta low- and high-grade (G1-2) NMIBC were randomized to the SOC or 6-monthly marker-based follow-up (algo…

Association of energy source with outcomes in en bloc TURB: secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

World journal of urology · 2025 · PMID 40146341

PURPOSE: To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of different energy sources used for en-bloc transurethral resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) on perioperative outcomes. METHODS: This sub-analysis derived from a prospective randomized study that enrolled patients undergoing ERBT vs conventional transurethral resection of the bladder (cTURB) from January 2019 to January 2022 (NCT03718754). Endpoints were pathological specimen quality and perioperative outcomes after either monopolar (m-ERBT) or bipolar (b-ERBT) or …

A 3-arm randomized control trial to compare the efficacy of re-circulant hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy versus conventional intravesical mitomycin C and BCG therapy for intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39480527

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of re-circulant hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy versus conventional treatments for intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: A randomized 3-arm, parallel group trial was conducted at a single tertiary care centre. 135 patients with low-grade intermediate-risk cancer, having undergone complete resection of bladder tumor were included. Patients were assigned 1:1:1, to receive intra-vesical chemo-hyperthermia (C-HT), mitomycin-…

Optimal adjuvant intravesical therapy for intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; oncological and patient-reported outcomes of randomized controlled trial.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 41689868

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant Intravesical BCG and chemotherapy are utilized viables options for intermediate-risk (IR) NMIBC. We are lacking well-designed evidence for superiority of any in terms of effectiveness, toxicity, and patient tolerability. OBJECTIVES: We compared the oncological outcomes, treatment-related adverse events (AEs) and Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in IR NMIBC patients who received intravesical BCG vs. intravesical Epirubicin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board (IRB) appr…

A randomized prospective trial comparing Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) RIVM and Russian strains in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Efficacy and side effects.

Urologic oncology · 2025 · PMID 41006133

BACKGROUND: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is widely used as an adjuvant treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, the optimal BCG substrain remains undetermined. This study compares the efficacy and safety of the BCG RIVM and Russian substrains in NMIBC treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse event profiles between the 2 substrains. METHODS: In this randomized prospective trial, 149 patients with in…

Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy with Totally Intracorporeal Urinary Diversion Versus Open Radical Cystectomy: 3-Year Outcomes from a Randomised Controlled Trial.

European urology · 2024 · PMID 38336579

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing open radical cystectomy (ORC) and robot-assisted RC (RARC) have involved an extracorporeal approach for urinary diversion (UD), undermining the potential benefits of a totally robotic procedure. Our objective was to compare 3-yr outcomes from a RCT comparing ORC to RARC with totally intracorporeal UD (iUD). METHODS: Patients with cT2-4 N0 M0 or bacillus Calmette-Guérin-failed high-grade non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma who were candidat…

Final Results from SAUL, a Single-arm International Study of Atezolizumab in Unselected Patients with Pretreated Locally Advanced/Metastatic Urinary Tract Carcinoma.

European urology focus · 2024 · PMID 38839505

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We assessed the safety of atezolizumab in unselected patients (including understudied populations typically excluded from clinical trials) with pretreated urinary tract carcinoma (UTC). The prespecified final analysis updates previously reported safety and efficacy data. METHODS: The single-arm prospective SAUL study (NCT02928406) enrolled 1004 patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial/non-urothelial UTC that had progressed during/after one to three prior treatment lines for adv…

Monopolar versus bipolar transurethral resection of bladder Tumour: post-hoc analysis of a prospective trial.

World journal of urology · 2024 · PMID 39093420

INTRODUCTION: Previously, in a randomised trial we demonstrated bipolar transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) could achieve a higher detrusor sampling rate than monopolar TURBT. We hereby report the long-term oncological outcomes following study intervention. METHODS: This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized phase III trial comparing monopolar and bipolar TURBT. Only patients with pathology of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) were included in the analysis. Per-patient analysis was performed.…