ICYMI: Highlights From AUA 2024

The 2024 American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas, brought together urology professionals to highlight significant advancements and emerging trends in the field. This year's event placed a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as innovations in robotic surgery and research methodologies. Key topics included the integration of localized and systemic therapies, novel male therapy developments, and the introduction of new salvage therapy guidelines for prostate cancer by the AUA, among others.

Here are the highlights of prominent discussions and insights presented during the 2024 AUA annual meeting.

5. Following Roe v Wade Overturn, Research Focuses on Male Contraceptives

Highlighting the pressing issue of unplanned pregnancies, Stephanie T. Page, MD, PhD, codirector of the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute at the University of Washington School of Medicine, reinforced the need for effective contraceptive options for men, especially in light of restrictive reproductive policies following the Dobbs decision. At the meeting, she discussed advancements in research, supporting its potential to address unplanned pregnancies and health inequities. Male contraceptive methods in development include hormonal transdermal gels, oral steroids, reversible vaso-occlusion, and nonhormonal approaches like retinoic acid receptor antagonists and sperm motility inhibitors. Studies demonstrated promising efficacy. Surveys also showed increasing interest among men and trust from women in novel male contraceptive methods, which could complement existing female contraceptive options and improve reproductive health outcomes.

4. AUA 2024: Disrupting the Field of Urology

Key speakers, including Alexander Kutikov, MD, FACS, chair, Department of Urology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Joshua Meeks, MD, PhD, associate professor of Urology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Matthew Nielsen, MD, FACS, chair, Department of Urology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, highlighted innovations such as the integration of localized and systemic therapies, the impactful new AUA salvage therapy guidelines for prostate cancer, and the increasing focus on clinical trials to elevate scientific rigor. The meeting also underscored the global collaboration and camaraderie within the urology community, inspiring optimism about the field’s future and its commitment to patient care.

3. TAR-210 Shows Promise in Treating NMIBC With Select FGFR Alterations; Updates on MoonRISe-1

Promising phase 1 results of TAR-210, an innovative intravesical delivery system for erdafitinib, were presented at the meeting, showcasing its potential for treating high-risk and intermediate-risk non–muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). TAR-210, designed to continuously release erdafitinib locally while minimizing systemic toxicities, demonstrated high efficacy, with a 90% 12-month recurrence-free survival rate in patients with high-risk NMIBC and a 90% complete response rate at 12 weeks in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC. The findings have led to the initiation of the phase 3 MoonRISe-1 study, comparing TAR-210 to intravesical chemotherapy for intermediate-risk NMIBC with FGFR alterations, addressing a critical unmet need in this population.

2. A Focus on Women: AUA Best Posters Highlight Female Athletes, Prenatal Care, and Women in Urology

Three award-winning posters at the meeting highlighted diverse topics in women’s urology: urinary incontinence in Division 1 female athletes, prenatal care utilization for fetuses with spina bifida (SB), and the experiences of female residents at the Brady Urological Institute. The study on urinary incontinence in athletes found worse urinary symptoms, genitourinary pain, and pelvic floor muscle thickness in symptomatic athletes, suggesting a need for longitudinal research. Research on SB prenatal care in California revealed disparities tied to insurance type, diabetes, and socioeconomic factors, with inadequate care linked to higher neonatal morbidities. The historical exploration of female residents at Brady showed progress in gender equity. Still, it emphasized ongoing challenges in balancing professional and personal responsibilities, underscoring the need for continued efforts toward diversity in urology.

1. What Mass General Brigham Is Doing to Combat Prostate Cancer Disparities Among Men of Color

Quoc-Dien Trinh, MD, MBA, chief of urology at Brigham & Women's Faulkner Hospital, highlighted racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, shedding light on the role of systemic barriers, such as limited access to care and mistrust in health care systems, that go beyond biological factors. He discussed initiatives led by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Prostate Cancer Workgroup, including outreach programs, patient education, and community engagement strategies to address these inequities. Efforts included establishing a prostate cancer outreach clinic supported by the Unite Against Racism initiative and a safety net to ensure follow-up care for men of color. However, challenges persist, such as language barriers, insurance navigation, and telehealth access, particularly post COVID-19.