Genitourinary Oncology Highlights from the European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting 2025: Advances in Renal Cell Carcinoma and Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Zhang XW, Schlack K, Hartmann A, Steiner T, Siska PJ (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Acta Cytologica Karger

Pages Range: 1-7

DOI: 10.1159/000552743

Abstract

Abstract – Background: At ESMO 2025, practice-changing advances in genitourinary oncology emerged for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), highlighting a shift toward early systemic treatment and biomarker-driven treatment selection. Summary: In localized RCC, the NESCIO trial showed pathologic responses with short-course neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibition, while the RAMPART study supported adjuvant dual checkpoint blockade for high-risk disease. For advanced RCC, the KEYMAKER-U03 trial demonstrated improved progression-free survival with a novel HIF-2α triplet regimen, and the LenCabo study supported the use of lenvatinib plus everolimus in later treatment lines. Conversely, the CALYPSO trial noted limited benefit when using empiric combinations without precise biomarker selection. In cisplatin-ineligible MIBC, the KEYNOTE-905/EV-303 trial demonstrated a significant survival benefit with perioperative enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab. Finally, emerging data from OPTIC RCC transcriptomic stratification and circulating markers like kidney-injury molecule type 1 and circulating tumor DNA strongly support a broader transition toward tailored therapy. Key Messages: Perioperative enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab offers a major survival benefit for cisplatin-ineligible bladder cancer patients. Overall, early-stage RCC benefits significantly from perioperative immunotherapy, while managing advanced disease requires a decisive shift away from empiric combinations and toward biomarker-driven treatment selection.

Authors with CRIS profile

Arndt Hartmann Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie

Involved external institutions

Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Münster DE Germany (DE) HELIOS Kliniken DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Regensburg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Zhang, X.W., Schlack, K., Hartmann, A., Steiner, T., & Siska, P.J. (2026). Genitourinary Oncology Highlights from the European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting 2025: Advances in Renal Cell Carcinoma and Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Acta Cytologica, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1159/000552743

MLA:

Zhang, Xin Wen, et al. "Genitourinary Oncology Highlights from the European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting 2025: Advances in Renal Cell Carcinoma and Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer." Acta Cytologica (2026): 1-7.

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