UCI Health medical oncologist Nataliya Mar, MD shares insights from her investigator-initiated trial presented at ASCO 2025, exploring a novel adjuvant immunotherapy strategy for patients with high-risk, muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC). In this study, Mar evaluates the combination of nivolumab — an FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor — with sacituzumab govitecan, an antibody-drug conjugate, following radical surgery (cystectomy or nephroureterectomy) for bladder or upper tract UC.

Patients in this setting face a high risk of recurrence, and current adjuvant options remain limited. This trial represents a critical step toward advancing doublet immunotherapy in the post-operative space. Although preliminary results are not yet available, Mar emphasizes the importance of enrolling eligible patients and accelerating evidence generation in this disease area. Watch as she discusses the rationale for the trial, the population it seeks to benefit, and how the study reflects the commitment UCI Health has for innovation in bladder cancer care.