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Highlights from the International Bladder Cancer Network 2024 Annual Meeting |
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| Keynote Lecture: Inferring Tumor Evolution from Single-Cell Data
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| Niko Beerenwinkel, MD
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| Niko Beerenwinkel's keynote lecture focuses on using single-cell data to infer tumor evolution. He discussed tumor phylogeny reconstruction from single-cell sequencing, emphasizing its potential to identify evolutionary biomarkers and patient subgroups with similar tumor progression patterns. Dr. Beerenwinkel also highlighted his work on multi-omics tumor profiling and the integration of single-cell RNA and DNA sequencing to enhance the understanding of cancer development, particularly through evolutionary-driven functional subgroups.
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| Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Early Stage Bladder Cancer
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| Philippe Lamy, PhD
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| Philippe Lamy presents the largest multi-omics study on NMIBC, identifying significant genomic variations and mutations in 60 genes, including FGFR3, KDM6A, and TP53. The study revealed that whole-genome doubling (WGD) in 15% of tumors was linked to increased mutation load, immune changes, and higher risk of progression.
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| Insights from Normal Urothelium for Cancer Development
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| Jennifer Southgate, MD
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| Jennifer Southgate presents insights into how normal urothelium, which functions to protect the kidneys, can evolve into cancerous tissue over time due to factors like congenital issues, infections, and inflammation. She highlighted the urothelium’s key role in maintaining a barrier, self-repair, and inflammation suppression. Her research emphasized the genomic and structural differences between bladder and ureter urothelium and explored how these insights can help understand cancer development, especially focusing on the importance of cell differentiation and tissue repair in tumor suppression.
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| Dynamic Monitoring of Circulating Tumor DNA to Predict Prognosis in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients After Radical Cystectomy |
| Lourdes Mengual, PhD |
| Lourdes Mengual presented a study on the prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients post-radical cystectomy. By dynamically monitoring ctDNA, the study found that ctDNA status could predict tumor progression and cancer-specific survival earlier than traditional imaging techniques. In two patient cohorts, ctDNA status at four months post-surgery was a significant prognostic biomarker. |
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| Correlation of ctDNA Dynamics with Clinical Response in MIBC Patients Undergoing Trimodality Therapy |
| Kent Mouw, MD, PhD |
| Kent Mouw presents data on the correlation between circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics and clinical outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients undergoing trimodality therapy. This study involved patients treated with bladder-preserving radiotherapy and assessed ctDNA before and after treatment using the Signatera assay. |
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| Circulating Immune-Modulators of Response to Neoadjuvant Nivolumab + Nab-Paclitaxel in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Biomarker Analyses from Nure-COMBO Trial |
| Brigida Maiorano, MD |
| Brigida Maiorano presents a biomarker analyses from the Nure-COMBO trial, which assessed neoadjuvant nivolumab combined with nab-paclitaxel in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The trial sought to identify predictive biomarkers of pathological complete response (ypT0N0) to neoadjuvant therapy. |
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| Investigating BCG Induced B Cell Responses in Patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer |
| Priyanka Yolmo |
| Priyanka Yolmo presents findings on BCG-induced B cell responses in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients, exploring how atypical B cells influence treatment outcomes. The study found that expansion of these exhausted B cells after repeated BCG instillations was linked to early recurrence and progression, with elevated PD-L1 and IL-6 levels in patients who experienced recurrence. |
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| Retifanlimab Monotherapy as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Patients with Cisplatin-Ineligible Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: Results from the Multicenter OPTIMUS Umbrella Study |
| Andrea Necchi, MD |
| Andrea Necchi presents results from the OPTIMUS umbrella study on retifanlimab monotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy for cisplatin-ineligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. Retifanlimab demonstrated promising efficacy with a 40% pathologic complete response rate and a 50% major pathologic response rate in these patients prior to radical cystectomy. |
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| Undetectable ctDNA Status Before Radical Cystectomy Predicts Improved Outcomes |
| John Sfakianos, MD |
| John Sfakianos presents findings showing that undetectable circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) status before radical cystectomy is a strong predictor of improved outcomes in patients with urothelial bladder cancer. In a study of 134 patients, those with undetectable pre-cystectomy ctDNA had significantly better recurrence-free survival compared to those with detectable ctDNA, regardless of clinical stage or neoadjuvant treatment. |
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| Elucidating the Response Rates to Additional BCG: Implications for Clinical Trial Design |
| Amanda Myers, MD |
| Amanda Myers presented data on the response rates to additional BCG in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients, distinguishing between "BCG-exposed" and "BCG-unresponsive" groups. The study revealed high complete response rates to additional BCG—79% in BCG-exposed and 75% in BCG-unresponsive patients—highlighting the need for clinical trials to use BCG as a control arm. |
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