Institute for Urologic Oncology
New Approach to Bladder Cancer
A study of 82 patients with a high-risk form of bladder cancer, led by UCLA, shows that 71% of the patients, all of whom had not responded to typical therapy, responded to an experimental immunotherapy drug called NAI, which works by activating the body’s natural killer cells. After two years, 90% of the patients who responded to the drug avoided surgery to remove the bladder and there were no deaths from bladder cancer among all 82 patients. The study was funded by ImmunityBio and the results appear in NEJM Evidence. Karim Chamie, MD, Associate Professor of UCLA Urology, is the first author.
Improved Outcomes in Localized Prostate Cancer
Men with prostate cancer who are receiving radiation often benefit from adding to the treatment androgen deprivation therapy, a form of medication that reduces testosterone. Historically, men have been placed on androgen deprivation therapy prior to beginning radiation. In a large analysis of over 7,000 men treated internationally across 12 randomized trials, Dr. Amar Kishan, UCLA Health radiation oncologist and IUO member, and colleagues have shown that it is almost universally optimal for men to begin androgen deprivation therapy when starting radiation, so that most of the period of having a low testosterone is "backloaded" after radiation is complete.
AI model could help improve outcomes of prostate cancer focal therapy
A new study shows that an artificial intelligence (AI) model co-developed by researchers in the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and department of Urology at UCLA can help doctors determine the extent of cancer within the prostate.
Image: AI-generated map of estimated cancer risk throughout the prostate. Red = high risk, blue = low risk.
Gene mutations linked to hereditary kidney cancer predisposition
The findings of the study could lead to new treatment options for people with the disorder. Dr. Brian Shuch, associate professor of UCLA Urology and Director of the Kidney Cancer Program, is a study author.
Clinical Trials Spotlight
UCLA Health has a phase III trial to test enfortumab vedotin (EV) + pembrolizumab (pembro) given before and after surgery in people with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Karim Chamie, MD, Associate Professor of Urology, is the principal investigator.
Cancer and COVID-19
Please take extra measures to help protect yourself and reduce the transmission of the disease. This is particularly important for people with cancer. What everyone needs to know about COVID-19 (vaccine updates, getting testing, positive test results).
What You Should Know
Read about precautions cancer patients need to take.