Novel Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches in Urologic Oncology

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Causes, Screening and Diagnosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 July 2026 | Viewed by 200

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang 10475, Republic of Korea
Interests: urologic oncology; bladder cancer; prostate cancer; immunotherapy; precision medicine; geroscience
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urologic oncology has experienced remarkable advancements in recent years, reshaping our understanding of cancers such as prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers. These malignancies represent a significant global health burden, driving a continuous search for improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Historically, diagnostic approaches relied heavily on imaging and biopsy, while therapeutic strategies were mostly limited to surgery and radiotherapy. However, the evolution of molecular biology and targeted therapies has fundamentally transformed the field.

This topic aims to discuss the latest diagnostic innovations, such as liquid biopsies and imaging biomarkers, as well as emerging therapeutic modalities, including immunotherapy and targeted agents.

In this Special Issue, we highlight the recent integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics, the development of novel biomarkers, and the promise of personalized therapy approaches that are pushing the boundaries of urologic oncology.

We welcome original research and comprehensive reviews that provide insights into these emerging diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in urologic oncology.

Dr. Whi-An Kwon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • urologic oncology
  • liquid biopsy
  • immunotherapy
  • artificial intelligence
  • targeted therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

23 pages, 896 KB  
Review
Neoadjuvant 177Lutetium-PSMA-617 Radioligand Therapy for High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer: Rationale, Early Clinical Evidence, and Future Directions
by Whi-An Kwon and Jae Young Joung
Cancers 2025, 17(20), 3330; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17203330 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Men with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa) often have poor long-term outcomes, underscoring the need for improved neoadjuvant strategies beyond the current standard of care. Radioligand therapy with 177Lutetium-PSMA-617 (177Lu-PSMA-617) has emerged as a promising method to eliminate occult micrometastases [...] Read more.
Men with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa) often have poor long-term outcomes, underscoring the need for improved neoadjuvant strategies beyond the current standard of care. Radioligand therapy with 177Lutetium-PSMA-617 (177Lu-PSMA-617) has emerged as a promising method to eliminate occult micrometastases while enhancing immune-mediated clearance of the primary tumor. Initial trials have affirmed the treatment’s feasibility and safety; however, they have consistently reported a lack of pathological complete response. This absence of profound initial tumor reduction necessitates further therapeutic advancements. The underlying rationale for future strategies is clear, as 177Lu-PSMA-617 promotes immunogenic cell death, potentially sensitizing immunologically “cold” tumors to checkpoint inhibitors. However, caution is warranted. The synergy observed between these therapies in advanced, metastatic castration-resistant PCa stems from a different biological context, and similar outcomes cannot be presumed in treatment-naïve, localized disease without rigorous validation. Continued progress hinges on developing improved metrics for success and patient selection. Simple prostate-specific antigen reductions have demonstrated minimal correlation with significant pathological outcomes in this setting, underscoring the critical need for validated surrogate endpoints and predictive biomarkers. Ultimately, large-scale randomized trials are essential to determine whether this investigational approach impacts key clinical outcomes—namely, metastasis-free and overall survival. While the strategy is theoretically sound, its capacity to enhance cure rates for high-risk localized PCa remains unverified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches in Urologic Oncology)
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