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EDITORIAL article

Front. Pharmacol.
Sec. Pharmacology of Anti-Cancer Drugs
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1508979
This article is part of the Research Topic Genomic Discoveries and Pharmaceutical Development in Urologic Tumors View all 17 articles

Editorial: Genomic Discoveries and Pharmaceutical Development in Urologic Tumors

Provisionally accepted
  • 1 Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
  • 2 Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
  • 3 Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The prevalence of urologic tumors is rapidly increasing, leading to severe clinical outcomes. In the United States, approximately 169,360 new cases of urologic tumors are estimated for 2024, with about 32,350 tumor-specific deaths [1]. Similarly, China faces a staggering annual estimate of 244,300 new cases, resulting in 113,700 deaths [2]. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for advanced therapeutic strategies and personalized treatments to improve survival rates for patients suffering from urologic tumors.A particularly exciting area of research is genomic sequencing, which facilitates the identification of specific genetic mutations and biomarkers for targeted drug therapies. This includes recognizing molecular subtypes that enable precision clinical therapy [3,4]. For instance, drugs targeting the androgen receptor (AR) pathway, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide, have demonstrated efficacy in treating prostate cancers with relevant genetic alterations [5]. Additionally, drugs like sunitinib and pazopanib, which inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, have significantly improved survival rates in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma [6]. This Research Topic explores cutting-edge therapies, molecular markers, and mechanisms reshaping the field.Advanced-stage castration-resistant prostate cancer presents significant challenges in clinical practice, often necessitating combination therapy strategies. Consequently, the search for novel clinical treatments, the exploration of tumor progression signaling pathways, and the identification of prognostic biomarkers are imperative. Urothelial bladder cancer exhibits one of the highest mutation burdens among all cancer types [7], contributing to variable patient responses to immunotherapy, particularly with the use of bacillus Calmette-Gué rin for early-stage non-muscle invasive bladder cancer [8] This Research Topic highlights advances in genomic discoveries and therapeutic approaches. While significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies for conditions like advanced-stage castration-resistant prostate cancer and metastatic renal cell carcinoma, challenges remain, particularly regarding resistance to existing therapies and the necessity for personalized treatment options. The studies presented here underscore the importance of integrating novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, such as BiTEs and m6A regulators, to enhance patient outcomes. Future research should prioritize several key areas. First, deeper investigations into the interactions between the tumor microenvironment and the immune system are essential for elucidating the mechanisms of immune evasion by tumors, which could pave the way for novel immunotherapies. Furthermore, identifying and validating new therapeutic targets, especially those linked to resistance mechanisms, will be crucial for improving patient prognoses. The integration of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data to create more comprehensive personalized treatment strategies could significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients.In conclusion, while substantial strides have been made in the research and treatment of urologic tumors, ongoing efforts are necessary. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, integrating new technologies and discoveries, we can significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life for patients with urologic tumors. The vision for the future includes not only better therapeutic strategies but also a more profound understanding of cancer biology, ultimately leading to effective treatments tailored to individual patient needs. We eagerly anticipate the application of these research findings in clinical practice, which could revolutionize treatment options for urologic tumor patients.

    Keywords: urologic tumors, Cancer biomarkers, drug screen, drug repurposing, Genomic sequence

    Received: 10 Oct 2024; Accepted: 15 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Meng, Yang and Yin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Lei Yin, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.