Atlanta Genitourinary Cancers Summit: Reviewing the evolving treatment landscape and management of genitourinary cancers

In this interview with Dr. Yousef Zakharia, he discussed his career trajectory and focus on genitourinary cancers, highlighting the inaugural Genitourinary Oncology Summit organized by the Binaytara, which aims to enhance oncologist education on critical topics such as kidney, prostate, and bladder cancers. On March 15th, he will co-chair a CME-accredited conference in Atlanta titled, ‘Atlanta Genitourinary Cancers Summit.’ Some of the key topics that will be covered in this conference include the management and evolving treatment landscape for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, metastatic urothelial carcinoma, muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and rare tumors such as adrenocortical carcinoma and penile cancer.

Dr. Yousef Zakharia

Highlights/Takeaways of Q&A

Addressing the Unmet Need in Genitourinary Cancers: Dr. Yousef Zakharia shared his journey from Syria to becoming a physician specializing in genitourinary cancers, driven by the challenges in treating cancer patients. He chairs the first Genitourinary Oncology Summit by Binaytara, aiming to address the complexities and advancements in the field. The conference will cover key topics such as kidney, prostate, bladder cancers, and rare tumors.

Challenges and Insights in Clinical Trials: Dr. Zakharia shared his experience in clinical trials, emphasizing their importance in providing innovative treatment options for cancer patients. He noted that while clinical trials advance cancer research, they face logistical challenges, such as strict regulatory requirements and patient enrollment difficulties. These factors can complicate the execution of trials and delay access to new treatments.

Kidney Cancer Awareness Discussion: Dr. Zakharia highlighted March as Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and addressed the absence of specific screening tools for kidney cancer, which often leads to late-stage diagnoses. He advised individuals to be vigilant about symptoms like blood in urine and flank pain. Dr. Zakharia also mentioned that while no specific lifestyle changes have been proven to prevent kidney cancer, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding smoking and chemical exposure are beneficial.

About Dr. Zakharia

Yousef Zakharia, M.D., is a medical oncologist with clinical expertise in genitourinary malignancies and early phase experimental therapeutics. He joined Mayo Clinic AZ in September 2024 as Vice-Chair of the Genitourinary Malignancy Disease Group, leading the Kidney Cancer Program at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is also the Medical Director of the Experimental Therapeutics Clinic at Mayo Clinic AZ.

Before joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Zakharia was on the faculty at the University of Iowa for the last 10 years and became a professor of medicine in 2024. He served as the Phase 1 Program Director at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Zakharia has been principal investigator on more than 50 clinical trials, including investigator-initiated trials (IITs), industry-sponsored studies, and cooperative group studies. His clinical and translational research has been published in reputable journals, including but not limited to NEJM, JCO, Nature Communications, Cancer Discovery, JITC, and CCR. He has presented his work at multiple national and international meetings, including a plenary session at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in 2017.

The Atlanta Genitourinary Cancer Summit and Kidney Cancer Awareness Month is in March. So, at Binaytara, we sat down with Dr. Zakharia to discuss emerging treatments and key topics that will be covered at the conference, including rare GU cancers.

Question | Binaytara: why did you choose to chair this conference, and what impact do you hope it will have?

Answer| Dr. Zakharia: This is the very first Genitourinary (GU) Oncology Summit organized by the Binaytara. The organization has hosted multiple impactful educational programs aimed at medical oncologists, providing high-quality sessions led by experts in the field. These programs are highly practical, designed to support practicing oncologists in advancing cancer education and treatment.

Given the rapid advancements in the field, GU oncology is becoming increasingly complex, making it essential to have a dedicated platform to focus on the latest developments in GU malignancies. The summit features an outstanding lineup of esteemed speakers, including respected academicians and experts in the field. We hope this will be a highly valuable meeting, fostering discussion and education that will ultimately improve patient care.

Q: What are the key themes and topics that will be discussed at the conference?

A: The conference will focus on four major topics: kidney cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and rare tumors. Each session will feature three to four talks covering the latest updates in genitourinary malignancies relevant to daily clinical practice. Given the significant advances in this field over the past five years, we aim to provide a comprehensive update on the most impactful developments.

Additionally, we have dedicated a session to rare malignancies, such as penile and testicular cancer. These cancers are not commonly encountered in practice, so this session will serve as a refresher on how to manage them with the latest treatment approaches.

Q: Based on your experience leading clinical trials and working in clinical practice, what challenges have you encountered? Have you observed any disparities in how clinical trials are operated or managed?

A: Absolutely. Clinical trials are crucial in the cancer field because they provide patients with innovative treatment options and drive scientific progress. However, there are significant challenges in opening and enrolling patients in trials. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, along with a lengthy regulatory process, can slow trial execution and delay patient access to potentially life-saving treatments.

Logistically, running a clinical trial presents numerous obstacles. Activating a trial, screening patients, and navigating regulatory requirements can be complex. While clinical trials are essential for advancing cancer research, these operational hurdles often make the process challenging.

Q: Speaking of clinical trials, can you discuss the significance of your recent research on high-dose selenium with axitinib in previously treated renal cell carcinoma?

A: Absolutely. This research is the result of years of work, from in vitro studies to a clinical trial and now publication in Clinical Cancer Research. Our preclinical data, generated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, showed that high-dose selenium, in the form of methyl selenocysteine (MSC), downregulates hypoxia-induced factors HIF1-alpha and HIF2-alpha—key pathways in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. These studies also suggested a synergistic effect between high-dose selenium and targeted therapies, improving drug delivery by regulating the tumor microenvironment.

Q: What are the key findings from the trial?

A: We found that the combination was well tolerated, with no added toxicity beyond what is typically expected with axitinib, such as hypertension, hand-foot syndrome, fatigue, and decreased appetite. This was reassuring. In terms of efficacy, the results were quite promising.

Q: March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month. Can you discuss the current state of screening for kidney cancer?

A: Unlike other cancers such as lung cancer, where CT scans are used, or colon cancer, where colonoscopies play a role in early detection, kidney cancer does not have a specific screening tool. This is a major gap in the field. Unfortunately, many patients are diagnosed at a late stage, sometimes even with metastatic disease, because they do not experience symptoms early on.

Some common symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine and flank pain. I always advise patients not to ignore these signs. If someone notices blood in their urine, it’s crucial to seek medical attention, as it could indicate kidney or bladder cancer. Right now, clinical symptoms are often what drive diagnosis rather than proactive screening.

Q: Given the lack of screening tools, are there any lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer?

A: There is no specific diet, exercise routine, or fasting program that has been proven to prevent kidney cancer. My general advice is to maintain a healthy lifestyle—eat well, stay active, and avoid harmful habits. One of the biggest risk factors for both kidney and bladder cancer is smoking, so minimizing or eliminating tobacco use is critical.

Chemical exposure is another potential risk factor. People should be mindful of their work environment and living conditions, avoiding harmful chemicals whenever possible. While there are no guaranteed ways to prevent kidney cancer, healthy choices can contribute to overall well-being.

Q: What is one key message you want the public to know about genitourinary cancers?

A: This is an exciting time in cancer treatment, especially for genitourinary cancers. Over the past decade, we have seen significant advancements in treatment options, leading to longer survival and improved quality of life for patients. When I started in this field, many of these treatments did not exist.

That said, there are still unmet needs. We need more curative options for advanced disease and more tolerable treatments with fewer side effects. But looking back, the progress in cancer research and treatment has been remarkable. We are moving forward in a big way, and I am hopeful for the future of kidney and genitourinary cancer care.

As new studies on genitourinary cancer therapies emerge, healthcare providers must stay updated with the ever-evolving landscape of treatment and management options. The Atlanta Genitourinary Cancer Summit provides a crucial platform for oncologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to stay informed on the latest advancements and best practices in kidney cancer treatment and prevention. By fostering education and collaboration, we can continue to drive progress and improve patient outcomes.

Join us this March to be part of the conversation and the solution.