With the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors into non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) management, who’s on point for planning, administering, and optimizing combination therapies? Is it still the urologist, or does medical oncology play a more significant role now than it did before? In this episode of the BackTable 2025 NMIBC Creator Weekend™ series, host Dr. Bogdana Schmidt sits down with Dr. Tyler Stewart, medical oncologist from the University of California San Diego, to discuss the contemporary role of medical and surgical oncology in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
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This podcast is supported by:
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
https://www.ferring.com/home-classic/people-and-families/uro-uro-oncology/bladder-cancer/
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SYNPOSIS
The conversation covers the efficacy and safety of checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, and the challenges of balancing systemic and localized treatments. They also touch upon the potential future role of biomarkers in reducing invasive procedures and improving patient outcomes.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
02:04 - The Role of Medical Oncologists in Bladder Cancer
12:58 - Combination Therapies and Patient Outcomes
21:18 - The CREST Study
26:59 - Managing Adverse Events
34:44 - Collaboration Between Urologists and Oncologists
41:06 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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RESOURCES
CREST Trial
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03738-z
CISTO Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37980511/