On-Site at ASCO GU 2026 | Prof. Thomas Powles: HER2-Targeted Therapy Is Transforming Urothelial Carcinoma Care, with Chinese Innovation Reshaping the Global Landscape

On-Site at ASCO GU 2026 | Prof. Thomas Powles: HER2-Targeted Therapy Is Transforming Urothelial Carcinoma Care, with Chinese Innovation Reshaping the Global Landscape

The 2026 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) has once again opened as one of the most authoritative and influential global meetings in genitourinary oncology. As always, it sets the direction for advances in urothelial carcinoma, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. This year, precision-targeted therapy in urothelial carcinoma stands firmly at the center of attention.
Breaking the Adjuvant Monotherapy Standard: LITESPARK-022 Study Shows 28% Reduction in Recurrence Risk for High-Risk ccRCC

Breaking the Adjuvant Monotherapy Standard: LITESPARK-022 Study Shows 28% Reduction in Recurrence Risk for High-Risk ccRCC

At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Toni K. Choueiri from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School presented the primary results of the LITESPARK-022 study (NCT05239728). As the largest randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 trial to date in the adjuvant immunotherapy setting, LITESPARK-022 evaluated the efficacy of pembrolizumab plus belzutifan versus pembrolizumab monotherapy for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) at increased risk of recurrence post-nephrectomy.
Redefining First-Line nccRCC Treatment: Fruquintinib plus Serplulimab Combination Achieves 97.2% Disease Control Rate

Redefining First-Line nccRCC Treatment: Fruquintinib plus Serplulimab Combination Achieves 97.2% Disease Control Rate

At the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Professor Jiwei Huang, on behalf of the research team, delivered an oral presentation reporting the latest efficacy and safety data from a multicenter, single-arm, Phase II clinical study. The trial evaluated fruquintinib in combination with serplulimab as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic or unresectable non–clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC).
Transcending HER2 Expression Boundaries: RC48 Achieves Breakthrough Benefits in Both HER2-Positive and HER2-Low Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma

Transcending HER2 Expression Boundaries: RC48 Achieves Breakthrough Benefits in Both HER2-Positive and HER2-Low Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma

At a recent international oncology conference, Professor Tom Powles from the Barts Cancer Centre in London presented the latest results from the RC48-G001 study. This global, multicenter Phase 2 trial evaluated disitamab vedotin (RC48) in patients with HER2-expressing, previously treated advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). As a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) utilizing a monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) payload, RC48 has previously demonstrated efficacy in biomarker-selected cohorts in China. This global study further validates its clinical utility across a broader, international patient population.
Overcoming “Low-Shedding” Barriers: Prof. Taigo Kato Highlights the Value of WGS-Based ctDNA Monitoring in Postoperative RCC

Overcoming “Low-Shedding” Barriers: Prof. Taigo Kato Highlights the Value of WGS-Based ctDNA Monitoring in Postoperative RCC

At a recent academic session, Professor Taigo Kato from the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine presented the preliminary results of the MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study. The study investigates the clinical utility of an ultra-sensitive whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay for the detection of molecular residual disease (MRD) in patients with resectable renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYNOTE-905 Update: EV plus Pembrolizumab Achieves 57% pCR and Significantly Extends DFS in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

KEYNOTE-905 Update: EV plus Pembrolizumab Achieves 57% pCR and Significantly Extends DFS in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

At a recent international medical congress, Dr. Steffen Rausch from the University Hospital Tübingen presented the latest analysis of pathological outcomes and disease-free survival (DFS) from the KEYNOTE-905 study. This randomized, open-label Phase III trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of perioperative enfortumab vedotin (EV) combined with pembrolizumab in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Balancing Survival Benefit and Quality of Life: Clinical Trade-offs in Adjuvant Immunotherapy Based on RAMPART PRO Data

Balancing Survival Benefit and Quality of Life: Clinical Trade-offs in Adjuvant Immunotherapy Based on RAMPART PRO Data

At a recent international academic symposium, Dr. Sophie Merrick from the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London (UCL) reported the Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) data from the RAMPART trial. The study aimed to evaluate the dynamic impact of adjuvant durvalumab plus tremelimumab versus active monitoring on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with resected renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Significant Improvement in PFS and DOR: LITESPARK-011 Validates Clinical Benefit of a Novel Combination Following Immunotherapy Progression

Significant Improvement in PFS and DOR: LITESPARK-011 Validates Clinical Benefit of a Novel Combination Following Immunotherapy Progression

For patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have progressed after anti-PD-(L)1 therapy, a consensus standard of care is currently lacking. Belzutifan, a first-in-class HIF-2α inhibitor, combined with the VEGFR-TKI lenvatinib, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. At a recent academic conference, Professor Robert J. Motzer from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) presented the latest results from the randomized, open-label, Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 study.
Toward Precision Bladder Preservation: RETAIN 2 Validates Nivolumab Plus NAC Potential; ctDNA Emerges as a Key Systemic Risk Predictor

Toward Precision Bladder Preservation: RETAIN 2 Validates Nivolumab Plus NAC Potential; ctDNA Emerges as a Key Systemic Risk Predictor

At the recent genitourinary oncology symposium, Dr. Pooja Ghatalia from Fox Chase Cancer Center presented the primary clinical outcomes of the RETAIN 2 trial. She also provided an integrated analysis of the RETAIN 1 and RETAIN 2 trials, focusing on the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in guiding response-adapted bladder preservation for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
Dual Liquid Biopsy Insights: Combining utDNA and ctDNA to Identify pCR and Inform Bladder-Sparing Strategies in MIBC

Dual Liquid Biopsy Insights: Combining utDNA and ctDNA to Identify pCR and Inform Bladder-Sparing Strategies in MIBC

At the recent ASCO Annual Meeting, Professor Michiel S. van der Heijden from the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) presented the latest biomarker analysis from the Phase III NIAGARA trial. The study investigated the dynamics of urinary tumor DNA (utDNA) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) receiving perioperative durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy, evaluating their utility in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) and event-free survival (EFS).