Passing the Torch forward: Moving beyond EGFR Inhibition in NMIBC Prevention

The study by Downs and colleagues targets patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to explore secondary/tertiary cancer prevention strategies. Utilizing a “window-of-opportunity” design, erlotinib was evaluated for its effect on EGFR phosphorylation, although the unconventional dosing regimen failed to demonstrate efficacy. New opportunities in NMIBC prevention include targeting FGFR3 mutations with emerging FGFR inhibitors. A future trial design could focus on clinical outcomes such as tumor response and NMIBC recurrence while also evaluating FGFR3 inhibition in both tumor and adjacent normal bladder epithelia.

See related article by Downs et al., p. 31