Integrating Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in the Clinical Management of Urologic Oncology

Dear Colleagues,

Urologic oncology is rapidly evolving as a result of major advances in systemic therapies, leading to substantial changes in the management of patients with localized, locally advanced, and metastatic genitourinary malignancies. Chemotherapy remains an essential component of treatment for several urological cancers, while immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapeutic strategies have transformed the therapeutic landscape, particularly in urothelial and renal cell carcinomas. The increasing availability of novel agents and treatment combinations has created new opportunities to improve oncological outcomes, while simultaneously raising important questions regarding optimal treatment selection, sequencing, duration, and integration with surgery and radiotherapy.

The development of perioperative immunotherapy, chemotherapy–immunotherapy combinations, antibody–drug conjugates, targeted therapies, and biomarker-driven treatment strategies further highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches and individualized therapeutic decision-making. Understanding mechanisms of response and resistance, identifying predictive biomarkers, and appropriately managing treatment-related adverse events are becoming increasingly important in daily clinical practice. These rapidly evolving therapeutic paradigms provide a strong rationale for critically evaluating current evidence and identifying future directions in urologic oncology.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances in the integration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in urologic oncology. We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing emerging treatment strategies and their implementation in clinical practice. Contributions exploring the integration of systemic therapies with surgery and radiotherapy, treatment sequencing, patient selection, biomarkers, resistance mechanisms, and multidisciplinary management are particularly encouraged.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

• Perioperative chemotherapy and immunotherapy in urologic malignancies;
• Neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic treatment strategies;
• Chemotherapy–immunotherapy combinations in urothelial carcinoma;
• Immunotherapy and combination strategies in renal cell carcinoma;
• Systemic treatment strategies in prostate and other genitourinary cancers;
• Novel immunotherapeutic approaches and emerging treatment combinations;
• Biomarkers and precision medicine for treatment selection;
• Mechanisms of response and resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy;
• Management of immune-related and treatment-associated adverse events;
• Integration of systemic therapy with surgery and radiotherapy;
• Real-world evidence and multidisciplinary approaches in urologic oncology.

We welcome contributions that may help bridge the gap between rapidly emerging evidence and clinical practice, ultimately supporting more effective and personalized treatment strategies for patients with urological malignancies.

Dr. Francesco Di Bello
Dr. Andrea Gallioli
Guest Editors

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