TPS892 Background: Enfortumab Vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (Pembro) is now first-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC), yielding ~30% complete response (CR) rates; nevertheless, most patients (pts) progress within 1 year and median overall survival (OS) remains < 3 years. In muscle invasive bladder cancer, local consolidation after systemic therapy improves outcomes, suggesting that residual, treatment-refractory intravesical disease drives relapse. We hypothesize that cytoreductive cystectomy/nephroureterectomy (CC/U)—with metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) as needed—can consolidate responses to EV/Pembro and extend benefit in regionally advanced or metastatic UC. CAST-AI prospectively evaluates this multimodal strategy and integrates correlative studies of exosomal Nectin-4 and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from blood and urine as predictive/MRD biomarkers. Methods: CAST-AI is a phase II, decentralized single-arm trial enrolling pts with histologically confirmed UC of the bladder or upper urinary tract with ≥N1 and/or M1 disease and ECOG PS 0–2 who are potential surgical candidates (planned n = 75). Treatment: EV 1.25 mg/kg IV D1 & D8 + Pembro 200 mg IV D1 q21d, ≥4 cycles; MDT permitted any time pre-surgery. Response assessments occur q9 weeks (±4) to 18 months, then q12 weeks (±4). Surgical eligibility requires: (A) fitness for surgery; (B) complete or partial response (CR/PR) or, for select low-burden/unmeasurable disease, urologist-adjudicated candidacy; (C) all distant sites addressed; and (D) procedure in pt’s best interest. Post-CC/U maintenance EV/Pembro is encouraged per clinical discretion and guided by definitive surgical pathology results, which provide true pathologic staging often unattainable through imaging after systemic therapy. Primary endpoint: 12-month progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints: Objective response rate (ORR), CR rate, down-staging at CC/U, PFS, OS, and safety (using CTCAE). Exploratory endpoints: longitudinal exosomal Nectin-4 and ctDNA dynamics as MRD and early relapse indicators; tissue–blood–urine Nectin-4 concordance; pt-reported tolerability (using CIPN20). Key exclusions: > 20% variant histology or disallowed subtypes (e.g., micropapillary, plasmacytoid, sarcomatoid, neuroendocrine); prior chemotherapy for UC; contraindications to surgery/EV/ICI; or active uncontrolled comorbidities/infections. Status: Enrollment is open and ongoing, with 25 of 75 pts enrolled as of September 2025. The trial uses a decentralized model, allowing pts to receive EV/Pembro at their local facility, with central coordination, biospecimen shipping, and surgical evaluation at Mayo Clinic or affiliated sites. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06764095. Clinical trial information: NCT06764095 .
Response of venous tumor thrombi in renal cell carcinoma to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.
496 Background: Approximately 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have an associated venous tumor thrombus (VTT), the presence of which impacts surgical management and increases perioperative risk. Historical systemic therapy regimens had limited success in downsizing VTT; however, the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on VTT shrinkage is unknown. Our primary objective is to assess VTT shrinkage comparing responses to ICI versus non-ICI regimens. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients with RCC and VTT from 2006-2024 who received upfront systemic therapy. Patients were evaluated at tertiary referral centers across Mayo Clinic Rochester, Florida, and Arizona. Systemic therapies were categorized as ICI versus non-ICI regimens. VTT length was quantified by distance relative to the superior border of the renal vein ostium. The primary outcome was change in VTT length on serial imaging as measured by absolute length reduction (cm), RECIST version 1.1 criteria, and Mayo VTT level reclassification. Linear mixed-effect models (LMMs) identified associations with VTT shrinkage and clinicopathologic features. Results: A total of 108 patients with median age 65 years (IQR 57-71) were included, of whom 49 (45%) received ICI regimens. ICI regimens were associated with greater VTT shrinkage (1cm vs 0.1 cm, p=0.025), increased RECIST responses (51% vs 32%, p=0.046), and a higher rate downstaging per Mayo VTT level (33% vs 12%, p=0.008) compared to non-ICI regimens. On multivariable LMM analysis, ICI regimens remained more likely to result in VTT shrinkage compared to non-ICI regimens (-0.12 cm/month, 95% CI –0.24-0.00, p=0.046). Absence of abdominal lymphadenopathy was also associated with VTT shrinkage (-0.18cm/month, 95% CI -0.06- -0.30, p=0.004). Initial Mayo VTT level, IMDC risk, and number of metastatic sites were not associated with VTT shrinkage. Conclusions: Treatment with ICI-regimens resulted in VTT shrinkage and Mayo VTT level reduction. This is a particularly important area of exploration as radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy carry up to a 40% risk of peri-operative major complications. These data support using ICI regimens for patients with RCC with VTT who are not candidates for upfront surgery and prioritizing ICI regimens in neoadjuvant clinical trials.
Recent Advances in Immunotherapy for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) comprises approximately 75% of new bladder cancer cases and generally carries a favorable prognosis, yet high rates of recurrence and progression necessitate close surveillance with frequent cystoscopies and repeated transurethral resections. Upfront treatment for high-risk disease is typically Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), although combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors have reported results. Patients with BCG-unresponsive, intolerant, or refractory disease represent a subset of patients with high risk of progression, with early radical cystectomy being the standard approach for this setting. Global BCG shortages and the substantial impact of cystectomy on quality of life underscore the need for therapeutic alternatives. Over the past decade, investigational trials in immunotherapy have expanded treatment options for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS, leading to FDA approval of intravesical nadofaragene firadenovec, nogapendekin alfa-inbakicept, and systemic pembrolizumab. This narrative review summarizes developments in intravesical and systemic immunotherapies for NMIBC, highlights ongoing trials, and addresses controversies in trial design, treatment sequencing, comparative efficacy, and safety.
Reply: Mayo Clinic Validation of the AUA Risk Groups for Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma