In recent years, several advances have led to more effective treatment of genitourinary (GU) malignancies. Immunotherapy (IO) is becoming increasingly important in the treatment of bladder and kidney cancer. In bladder cancer, the combination of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and IO has changed the landscape of first-line treatment of patients with metastatic disease. We are proud to have participated in the EV-302 study (NCT04223856), whose results showed that enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab nearly doubled median overall survival compared to standard platinum-based chemotherapy.

In kidney cancer, immune-based combination therapy, or IO plus anti-angiogenics, is now considered the standard first-line treatment. We are currently studying new combinations including HIF2α inhibitors and other immunomodulators.
We work in close collaboration with the Urology Department of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH). We actively collaborate in different phase I studies in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who relapse or progress despite receiving intravesical therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). These new drugs include drugs targeting FGFR and ADCs. These new bladder-preserving treatments are administered intravesically and are intended to avoid cystectomy, which is the recommended treatment in this situation.
In collaboration with the HUVH Urology Department, we have participated in recent studies that have demonstrated the usefulness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in the adjuvant setting for bladder and kidney cancer patients at high risk of disease recurrence.
We also collaborate with other renowned research centres, such as the Cleveland Clinic (Ohio, USA), the University of California, San Francisco (California, USA), and participate in studies conducted in collaboration with the Institut Gustave Roussy (Paris, France) and Barts Health NHS Trust – Hospital (London, UK).

In May 2024 we opened the CARE1 study, a European project coordinated by Gustave Roussy. Focused on pragmatic clinical trials and leveraging a unique European academic network, CARE1 aims to improve first-line treatment of patients with metastatic kidney cancer by implementing a routine biomarker. Our participation in this project is supported by the CRIS Cancer Foundation and the EU Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
Thanks to funding from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), we coordinated a national study to identify predictive biomarkers of response for first-line treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). On the other hand, and thanks to a grant received from the Spanish Genitourinary Oncology Group (SOGUG), we are leading a project dedicated to the analysis of paired tumour biopsies in renal carcinoma.

Throughout 2024 we have initiated the CHECKYMID study to prospectively investigate the role and safety of IO in the treatment of patients with cancer (CRC, bladder, lung or melanoma) and affected by immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). We coordinate this study in collaboration with the rheumatology, digestive and dermatology teams at HUVH.
We are founders and coordinators of the Adolescent Working Group of the Spanish cooperative group GEINO for research in neuro-oncology, and we have participated in the first GEINO-SEOM clinical guidelines for adult medulloblastoma.
Our Serum Bank already includes most of the tumour types we study (CNS tumours, GIST; renal cell carcinoma and bladder), and we will continue to collect samples from our patients.

We have launched the first Adolescent and Young Adult Unit (AYAs) in Spain for patients between 16 and 25 years of age. This programme collects data for the development of new treatments for tumours that appear during adulthood but are predominantly seen in paediatric populations, and vice versa. Led by paediatric and adult oncologists, this Unit is initially treating patients with CNS tumours, sarcoma and testicular tumours, but also aims to include other tumour types and to advance knowledge of the late toxicity of cancer therapies in this group of patients.

Regarding tumours of unknown origin (CUP), we are working with researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute led by Manel Esteller. Using multiomics (genomics, transcriptomics and epigenomics) to characterise the molecular characteristics of 500 cases of CUP cancer, we aim to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the development of these tumours. With the support of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), we also lead and coordinate the IMPaCT-GENóMICA precision medicine programme to advance the diagnosis of tumours of unknown origin.

Dedicated to promoting education and exchange, in 2023 we hosted seven fellows from Spain and abroad for short stays of 3 months.