Varun Nandakumar

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, GU Oncology @ University of Utah 🧬| Aspiring Internal Medicine resident | AIIMS New Delhi alum

[Sumanta K. Pal, MD, FASCO @montypal]

Many thanks to @Hoomandjaladat for the invitation to give @USC_Urology Grand Rounds a moment ago. My main message: If we want to get trials done in non-clear cell #kidneycancer, we need to collaborate. Proud to have established (w @siadaneshmand, @TDorffOnc, @AdityaBagrodia, @DrRanaMcKay, @KidneyCancerDoc & others) a network with @uscnorris, @UclaUrology, @UCIrvineHealth, @KPSCalResearch, @hoaghealth, @UCSD, @CedarsSinai & other terrific #SoCal institutions to get GU research done! My closing slide:

[UroToday.com @urotoday]

Phase III trial compares BCG strains and priming in #NMIBC. Robert Svatek, MD, MSCI @UTHealthSA sits down with @UroDocAsh @UTMDAnderson to discuss this three-arm trial comparing Tokyo versus TICE BCG strains with priming arm in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Dr. Svatek aims to secure FDA approval for Tokyo strain to address ongoing BCG shortages despite manufacturing challenges. #WatchNow on UroToday > https://t.co/CQHTGHQCM7

[Sumanta K. Pal, MD, FASCO @montypal]

@yao_zhu_sh An amazing feat! Congrats to you, @umangtalking & the other terrific folks on this list! @AndreaNecchi @neerajaiims @PGrivasMDPhD

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Congrats to Umang Swami @umangtalking on being recognized as one of the Top Reviewers of @JCO_ASCO for 2025👉Peer review is the backbone of scientific progress, and this honor reflects his intelligence, rigor, and commitment to advancing cancer research. @huntsmancancer @ASCO

[Sumanta K. Pal, MD, FASCO @montypal]

Amazing job as always, @OncoAlert! Enjoyed following posts from @DrChoueiri, @tompowles1, @NazliDizman, @crisbergerot & others on this list!

[koral shah, md @kor_shah]

Always the best way to kick off #ASCOGU2026. I started attending last year and have been able to keep in touch with so many talented clinical and post-doc fellows! Loved the new format this year, especially the session on which abstract to 👀 out for at the conference. @OncLive

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#687 @ASCO #GU26👉Congrats @DiyaSGarg @Huntsman_GU Merit Award @ConquerCancerFd👉https://t.co/a4cjExZ3Jm👉End-of-life Rx data in 7,815 pts w/ aUC #bladdercancer👉67% remained on Rx 3 mo before death👉pts need better EOL care👇@umangtalking @OncoAlert @urotoday @flatironhealth

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#231 @ASCO #GU26👉https://t.co/fEeqJMrKVH👉AI-powered digital histology (CHAI) biomarker (BM) in mHSPC #prostatecancer using CHAARTED & ENZAMET👉BM+ status prognostic for⬇️PFS/OS & predicts benefit w/ adding docetaxel or ARPI👇@ChrisSweens1 @OncoAlert @urotoday @PCF_science

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#692 @ASCO #GU26 by @ziremozay👉https://t.co/BDyhSKXX7B👉Real-world analysis of 745 pts w/ aUC #bladdercancer treated w/ EV+Pembro👉Median OS 17 mo (low compared to ph3 trial)👉Data suggest need for improved management in RW pts👇@umangtalking @OncoAlert @urotoday @uromigos

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#749 @ASCO #GU26 by @JCensits @PGrivasMDPhD @eaonc👉https://t.co/7zlXneeFlf👉Neoad Gem-Durva in cisplatin-unfit pts w/ high grade UTUC #bladdercancer👉pCR 10%, <ypT2N0/X 33%, promising 1-year EFS rate, manageable tox👉Ph3 ongoing in cisplatin-fit pts👇@OncoAlert @urotoday

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#446 @ASCO #GU26 by @ZarbaMartin1👉https://t.co/N5K4e4KtK9👉Real-world outcomes w/ 1L Cabo+Nivo in mRCC #kidneycancer👉ORR 41.6%, TTNT 19.4mo, OS 44.4mo, comparable to CM-9ER👉2L TKIs active post-cabo, supporting this sequencing👇@DrDanielHeng @DrChoueiri @OncoAlert @ziremozay

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#686 @ASCO #GU26👉Congrats @Anto_cigliola👉https://t.co/1Dr4Wzyctp👉Analysis of 2,383 pts w/ mUC across 3 Rx eras #bladdercancer👉OS improved from 13.5 mo(platinum-based Rx)→17.5 mo(ICI)→21.1 mo(ADC)👉greatest gains in the ADC era👇@AndreaNecchi @OncoAlert @urotoday @Uromigos

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#634 @ASCO #GU26 by @MichvdHeijden👉https://t.co/Uxil74smU7👉addition of anti-LAG3 or anti-TIGIT ICIs to EV+pembro in mUC did not improve efficacy of EV+P #bladdercancer👉higher irAEs w/ coformulations👇#AvivitPeer @OncoAlert @urotoday @Uromigos

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#488 @ASCO #GU26 by @gabriel__hooper👉https://t.co/92rdykkLcy👉pts w/ mRCC #kidneycancer on belzutifan👉53% had gr≥3 hypoxia; 80% gr≥2 anemia👉data suggest close monitoring of pts on belzutifan living/visiting high altitude areas👇@OncoAlert @urotoday @KidneyCAN

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#507 @ASCO #GU26 by #AliMoradi👉https://t.co/7kVgNzk1xx👉Long-term outcomes w/ live bacteria (CBM588) in mRCC #kidneycancer👉addition of CBM588 to frontline ICI Rx👉⬆️ORR & PFS👉supporting upcoming Ph3 @SWOG BIOFRONT study👇 @montypal @OncoAlert @urotoday @KidneyCAN

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#528 @ASCO #GU26 by @YuWeiChenMD👉https://t.co/HE3QN7q39e👉PI3K/AKT/mTOR & DDR alterations were associated w/ response to belzutifan in RCC #kidneycancer👉prospective validation needed👇@DrRanaMcKay @OncoAlert @urotoday @Uromigos @kidneycan

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#487 @ASCO #GU26👉Congrats @PauloBergerot & team👉https://t.co/82JS2XRP97👉participation in remote exercise program was associated w/⬆️QOL (& decreased fatigue) in pts w/ metastatic GU cancers 👇@montypal @crisbergerot @OncoAlert @urotoday @KidneyCAN

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#546 @ASCO #GU26 by @alexzhuDO👉https://t.co/HdkdetBrX4👉AI-derived digital pathology biomarker (CHAI) independently prognostic for progression & OS in localized RCC #kidneycancer👉 further validation needed👇@montypal @OncoAlert @urotoday @KidneyCAN

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#94 @ASCO #GU26 by @gabriel__hooper👉https://t.co/JoRBViZd32👉Rx patterns of ~5000 pts w/ mCRPC #prostatecancer in @flatironhealth👉ARPIs & taxanes remained most common 1L Rx👉only ~50% received 2L Rx suggesting need to optimize sequencing 👇@umangtalking @OncoAlert @urotoday

[Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO @neerajaiims]

Ab#92 @ASCO #GU26 by @varun05n👉https://t.co/RkfS6bzeuX👉End-of-life (EOL) Rx analysis of ~10,000 pts w/ mCRPC #prostatecancer in @flatironhealth👉~60% remained on Rx in last 3 mo of life👉need for more patient-centered EOL care👇@umangtalking @OncoAlert @urotoday @PCF_Science