Cancer Management and Research

Beyond Cystectomy: New Approaches in Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Bladder cancer remains a significant global health burden, characterized by high recurrence rates and the need for lifelong surveillance. While radical cystectomy has long been the standard of care for muscle-invasive disease, it comes with substantial morbidity and a profound impact on patients' quality of life. This Article Collection seeks to highlight the paradigm shift occurring in the field, moving beyond traditional surgeries to embrace a more personalized and less invasive future. We invite contributions that explore the full spectrum of these novel developments, from cutting-edge diagnostic tools to innovative surgical techniques and transformative therapeutic protocols. This Collection aims to assemble a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements that are redefining the standard of care and improving outcomes for patients with bladder cancer.

The importance of this research area lies in its potential to address the critical unmet needs of bladder cancer patients. Conventional treatments like radical cystectomy, while effective, are associated with significant complications and can severely impact urinary and sexual function. Simultaneously, current diagnostic methods, such as white-light cystoscopy and cytology, have limitations in sensitivity, leading to missed lesions or unnecessary procedures. The emergence of liquid biopsies offers a non-invasive window into tumor biology, promising early detection and real-time monitoring of treatment response. Furthermore, novel immunotherapy protocols are demonstrating durable responses in advanced disease, changing the treatment landscape. By advancing these areas, we can move towards a future where bladder cancer is managed with greater precision, reduced morbidity and ultimately, better survival rates and quality of life for patients.

This Article Collection will focus on three pillars of innovation in bladder cancer management. We welcome articles that explore, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:

• Novel surgical and reconstructive techniques including advances in robotic-assisted cystectomy, intracorporeal neobladder formation and other techniques aimed at optimizing functional outcomes.
• Liquid biopsies and biomarkers encompassing the use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and other blood- or urine-based biomarkers for early detection, minimal residual disease monitoring and prognosis.

Novel immunotherapy and systemic protocols covering new immune-checkpoint inhibitors, combination therapies and predictive biomarkers for patient selection, as well as the management of immune-related adverse events.

Dr. Biagio Barone is a Consultant Urologist and Andrologist at the P.O. San Paolo, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, with a distinguished academic background. He is an expert in minimally invasive endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted surgery, having earned his specialization in Urology and Andrology with highest honors from the University of Naples Federico II. Dr. Barone is an active and prolific researcher with over 140 peer-reviewed international publications, primarily focusing on urological cancers, with a particular emphasis on bladder cancer, as well as sexual dysfunction and male infertility. His expertise in this area is demonstrated by his recent inclusion in the World’s Top 2% Scientist ranking and his attainment of the National Scientific Qualification as an Associate Professor. He is an active member of several Italian and European scientific societies and is committed to advancing the field through clinical research and international collaboration.

Dr. Dario Del Biondo is the Director of the UOC of Urology at the Ospedale San Paolo di Napoli and one of the youngest heads of urology in Italy. An internationally recognized expert in robotic surgery, he is the inventor of the innovative VON (Vesuvian Orthotopic Neobladder) technique, a robotic procedure for bladder reconstruction that simplifies the surgical process and improves outcomes for patients with bladder cancer. With over 2,000 surgical procedures performed since 2009, his expertise spans open, laparoscopic, endoscopic and robotic surgery, with a strong focus on complex oncological cases. Dr. Del Biondo is also a prolific researcher, having co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from robotic urology to imaging for urological conditions. He is deeply committed to advancing the field through innovation, international collaboration, and the training of a new generation of surgeons.

Dr. Marco Grillo is a Urologist and Researcher at the P.O. San Paolo, ASL Napoli 1 Centro. Dr. Grillo's research interests are broad within the field of urologic oncology, with a particular focus on improving diagnostic pathways for prostate cancer and exploring the complex risk factors associated with penile cancer. He has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on these and other topics, often in collaboration with leading experts in urologic surgery and oncology.

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1st May 2027.

Please contact Rebecca Turner at rebecca.turner@tandf.co.uk with any questions or requests for discount codes relating to this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.