UCSF Urology Experts Present Innovative Research and Treatment at National Urology Conference
Uncovering mechanisms of resistance to treatment in prostate cancer and improving response to cellular therapies in bladder cancer, are among the topics UCSF clinicians discussed at the American Urological Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington DC, May 15 to 18. The AUA annual meeting was attended by urologists, residents, researchers and advanced practice providers, and offered presentations about the latest advances and technologies in urology.
This year’s program featured innovative research and discussions by experts from UCSF Department of Urology.
Leading UCSF Research Presentations:
Carissa Chu, MD, assistant professor in the UCSF Department of Urology, presented “Retinoic Acid Signaling and Immune Microenvironment Signatures Drive Response to Enfortumab Vedotin” during the early career investigators showcase on basic science research. This translational research study investigated mechanisms of resistance to enfortumab vedotin (EV) and identified strategies to increase sensitivity. Using a genome-wide CRISPRi FACS-based screen, Chu and her colleagues identified differentiation state as a key regulator of NECTIN4 cell-surface expression: luminal differentiation programs increase surface NECTIN4, whereas basal/EMT-associated programs suppress it. Retinoic acid (RA) signaling emerged as a central positive regulator, increasing both total and surface NECTIN4 and enhancing sensitivity to EV and NECTIN4 CAR-T therapy in bladder cancer models. In parallel, Chu and her colleagues used spatial single-cell profiling of tumors from patients treated with EV-based therapy to identify immune microenvironment features associated with clinical response. Together, the study supports a model in which RA-driven luminal differentiation maintains NECTIN4 expression, reverses resistance-associated EMT programs, and may be therapeutically leveraged to improve responses to EV and emerging NECTIN4-directed cellular therapies.
Pablo Suarez, MD, UCSF medical student and incoming resident physician in Urology, presented “PD10-01: Gene Fingerprinting to Distinguish Human Gonadal Differentiation Using AI Cell Clustering and Genomics” during podium session “PD10: Pediatrics I.” In patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), gonadal differentiation is often perturbed resulting in abnormal gonadal function, morphology and cancer risk. To better distinguish between the types of undifferentiated gonads in patients with DSD, Suarez and his colleagues performed gene fingerprinting using artificial Intelligence (AI) cell clustering and gene spatial transcriptomics. Xenium high-plex spatial transcriptomics successfully generated distinct genetic fingerprints for 18 gonadal specimens and robustly differentiated normal testis and ovary from DSD-affected tissues, such as streak gonads and gonadoblastoma. This spatial transcriptomic approach provides a new, quantitative framework to classify complex gonadal differentiation, powerfully complementing traditional histology.
Kevin Shee, MD, PhD, UCSF resident physician in Urology, presented “PD21-12: Tumor Microenvironmental NRG1 Drives Resistance to PI3K/AKT Pathway Inhibition in Prostate Cancer” during the podium session “PD21: Prostate Cancer: Basic Research & Pathophysiology II.” This study identifies a mechanism of treatment resistance in prostate cancer driven by signals from the tumor microenvironment. Shee and his colleagues found that NRG1, a protein produced by surrounding stromal cells, activates HER3 signaling and allows tumors to bypass PI3K/AKT-targeted therapies and androgen receptor inhibition. Targeting this pathway restored treatment sensitivity in preclinical models, suggesting a potential combination strategy to improve outcomes.
Shee also presented the poster “IP31-06: The Nature of Progression on Active Surveillance for Grade Group 2 Prostate Cancer.” In a large UCSF cohort, men with favorable-risk Grade Group 2 prostate cancer on active surveillance had moderate rates of disease progression over time, but low rates of metastasis and no prostate cancer–specific deaths within 10 years. Progression was associated with identifiable clinical features, including higher PSA density and positive MRI findings. These results support active surveillance as a safe option for carefully selected patients and may help guide how closely they are monitored.
Walter Hsiang, MD, UCSF resident physician in Urology, presented “PD04-12: Both Over-Prescription and Under-Prescription of Opioids After Inpatient Urologic Surgery Increases Odds of Postsurgical Opioid Refills” during the podium session “PD04: Health Services Research: Quality Improvement & Patient Safety I.” The study’s goal was assess the impact of mismatched (over-prescription and under-prescription) discharge opioid prescriptions on opioid refills up to 90 days after inpatient urologic surgery. Both over-prescribing and under-prescribing of opioids, rather than the total dose of opioid prescriptions, independently contribute to increased odds of refills. Hsiang found that patient-centered, individualized discharge opioid dosing based on inpatient consumption may reduce prescription mismatch, enhance opioid stewardship and improve postoperative outcomes.
Elizabeth Lynch, MD, UCSF pediatric urology fellow, presented “PD10-03: Mail-in Semen Cryopreservation Toolkit Alleviates Systemic Barriers for Adolescent and Young Adult Patients” during the podium session “PD10: Pediatrics I.” As adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer and complex conditions increasingly survive gonadotoxic treatments, fertility preservation has become essential for quality-of-life care. While adult semen cryopreservation completion rates remain low at 28%, data on rates among AYA populations are limited but suggest they are likely even lower due to unique logistical and psychological barriers. This study evaluated the success rate of semen sample submission using a CLIA-accredited mail-in cryopreservation kit among AYA patients aged 13-20 years pursuing fertility preservation. The mail-in cryopreservation kit system demonstrated exceptionally high sample submission rates that do not vary by socioeconomic status, age, or geography. This approach effectively alleviates traditional barriers to cryopreservation, including geographical, logistical, financial, and psychological obstacles, providing more accessible family planning options for adolescent and young adult patients facing fertility-threatening conditions.
Behzad Abbasi, UCSF post-doctoral scholar in Urology, presented “PD11-13: Patient Characteristics and Outcomes of Urethral Ligation: A Turns Cohort Study” during the podium session “PD11: Reconstruction: Augmentation, Substitution, Diversion.” To profile candidate characteristics and evaluate midterm outcomes following urethral ligation for diverse indications in a multicenter cohort, Abbasi and his colleagues performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing urethral ligation in the Trauma and Urologic Reconstructive Network of Surgeons (TURNS) database. In a multi-institutional cohort, urethral ligation achieved high midterm success with low risk of revision surgery or fistulation. Infection risk, readmission burden, and frequent need for adjunctive therapies highlight the need for structured postoperative surveillance and bladder-directed interventions.
Specialty/Instructional Courses:
Spencer Behr, MD, UCSF professor of Clinical Radiology and associate director of Precision Imaging of Cancer and Therapy at the UCSF Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, presented the radiology session “041IC: Should I Order a PET Scan? Integrating Molecular Imaging into Urologic Oncology Clinical Practice: Current Approaches and Future Opportunities.” This session focused on optimizing detection, staging, and follow-up of genitourinary malignancies through the use of molecular imaging opportunities. It will explore current diagnostic imaging modalities, their performance characteristics, along with imaging guidelines for cancer staging. Novel PET radiopharmaceutical agents in combination with CT or MRI for prostate (FDG, Choline, Acetate, NaF, FACBC, PSMA), kidney (Girentuximab, Sestamibi), and bladder (FDG, Choline, Acetate, fibroblast activation protein) as well as testis cancer (FDG) were examined. Differences among the imaging modalities and how they compare to existing diagnostic tests were also highlighted.
Mack Roach, III, MD, FACR, UCSF professor of Radiation Oncology and Urology, was a speaker the “Focus On” session “Focus on: Biomarkers, MRI and PSMA PET Imaging in Prostate Cancer.” This session provided a deeper dive for the urologic care team to examine how emerging biomarkers, advanced MRI techniques, and PSMA PET imaging are reshaping prostate cancer care.
Matthew Cooperberg, MD, MPH, co-leader of the Prostate Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, was a speaker for the prostate session “049IC: Incorporating Genomic Testing, Advanced Imaging, and Artificial Intelligence for Prostate Cancer into Your Practice.” There are multiple genomic tests and advanced imaging modalities (MRI, PSMA PET) currently available for men to detect and risk stratify prostate cancer. The outcomes of these tests may lead to different detection strategies (observation, immediate biopsy) and treatment decisions (active surveillance, surgery, radiation, adjuvant therapy). Cooperberg and his fellow speakers reviewed current AUA and NCCN guidelines for prostate cancer genomic testing, examining available validation studies, and utilizing case-based scenarios.
Sima Porten, MD, MPH, a urologic oncology specialist and UCSF associate professor of Urology, was a speaker for the bladder oncology session “017IC: Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treatment Dilemmas: The Cases You Face and How Best to Treat Them.” The session highlighted recent updates to AUA, European Association of Urology and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines in the evolving field of bladder cancer treatment.
Porten was also a speaker for “NMIBC in Practice: Evidence-Based and Real-World Considerations.”
Lindsay Hampson, MD, MS, UCSF associate professor of Urology, was a speaker for the trauma/reconstruction/diversion session “028IC: Transition Urology - Lifelong Challenges and Complications.” Transition urology represents a critical and evolving area of practice that bridges pediatric and adult urological care for patients with congenital conditions such as spina bifida, bladder exstrophy, and complex hypospadias. As these individuals age, they require not only ongoing medical and surgical management, but also psychosocial support to address the unique mental health challenges that often accompany their care journey. The course explored the reconstructive and surgical complexities encountered in adult patients with congenital anomalies and highlight the psychological sequelae of lifelong urological intervention—such as body image disturbance, treatment-related PTSD, anxiety around independence, and challenges to sexual function and fertility. Hampson was also a speaker for the session “Panel Discussion: Update on Posterior Urethral Valves.”
Alan Shindel, MD, MAS, UCSF professor of Urology, was a speaker for the sexual function session “034IC: Case-Based Approach to Understanding the AUA/Sexual Medicine Society of North America Sexual Medicine Guidelines.” In 2015, the first Peyronies’ guidelines were released. In 2018 the AUA/SMSNA Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction guidelines were published. In 2021 and 2022 the AUA/SMSNA Priapism and Disorders of Ejaculation Guidelines were released. Many clinicians are still unaware of the new guideline recommendations on how to diagnose and treat these conditions. This case-based course focused on the important take away messages from each of the five sexual medicine guidelines.
Shindel was also a speaker for the session “Survivor Debate: Best Approach to Treating Low Testosterone.”
Please visit for AUA 2026 complete meeting abstract and session information.
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