Blue Light cystoscopy enhances bladder cancer detection and upstaging at ASCO GU 2025

Bladder cancer remains one of the most prevalent and recurrent malignancies worldwide, requiring ongoing advancements in diagnostic and treatment strategies. At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU 2025), Photocure ASA unveiled new clinical findings on Blue Light Cystoscopy, demonstrating its ability to detect tumors that standard white light cystoscopy fails to identify. This study, drawn from real-world data, highlights the significance of improved tumor detection in refining bladder cancer management and ensuring optimal treatment outcomes.

New Study Demonstrates Upstaging Benefits in Bladder Cancer Management

The latest research, presented at ASCO GU 2025, evaluated data from 2,854 patients enrolled in the U.S. Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview Registry. The findings revealed that 201 patients, or 7% of the study population, had malignant lesions identified solely through Blue Light Cystoscopy, despite receiving negative results from standard white light cystoscopy. These tumors included high-grade and advanced lesions, underscoring the limitations of conventional detection methods in accurately staging non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Upstaging was observed in 9.3% of cases, meaning that Blue Light Cystoscopy led to a change in classification to a more advanced stage. This shift had significant implications for bladder cancer management, influencing decisions regarding the administration of intravesical therapies, therapy duration, and the potential need for radical cystectomy. The study findings suggest that integrating Blue Light Cystoscopy into routine diagnostic protocols may enhance early intervention and reduce the likelihood of disease progression.

Why Advanced Detection Matters in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer ranks among the costliest malignancies due to its high recurrence rates and the need for continuous monitoring. Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which accounts for approximately 75% of cases, is particularly challenging to manage due to its frequent recurrence and risk of progression. Patients diagnosed with this form of bladder cancer often undergo repeated cystoscopic evaluations to monitor tumor status and determine appropriate treatment strategies.

The recurrence rate for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer can reach up to 61% within the first year after diagnosis and up to 78% over five years. With such a significant risk of recurrence, there is a critical need for improved detection methods that minimize the likelihood of missed tumors. Blue Light Cystoscopy, by enhancing visualization and identifying lesions that standard cystoscopy may overlook, represents a vital step forward in reducing these risks and improving overall patient outcomes.

Photocure’s Expanding Research on Blue Light Cystoscopy

Photocure ASA has been at the forefront of developing and commercializing Blue Light Cystoscopy, with its proprietary Cysview technology being a key component in bladder cancer diagnostics. The U.S. Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview Registry, established in 2014, is one of the largest multicenter real-world databases tracking outcomes in patients undergoing this advanced imaging technique. With enrollment projected to reach 4,400 patients, the registry continues to generate valuable insights into how Blue Light Cystoscopy can refine bladder cancer management and improve treatment precision.

The latest ASCO GU 2025 findings reinforce the role of Blue Light Cystoscopy in redefining diagnostic approaches for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The study’s results provide a strong foundation for further clinical research, which could lead to broader adoption of this technology across medical institutions worldwide.

How Blue Light Cystoscopy is Changing the Standard of Care

Standard white light cystoscopy has long been the conventional method for detecting bladder tumors, but its limitations in visualizing certain lesion types pose challenges for accurate diagnosis and staging. Blue Light Cystoscopy, by using a specialized drug that causes cancerous cells to fluoresce under blue light, allows for the identification of tumors that may otherwise remain undetected.

Medical experts suggest that Blue Light Cystoscopy enhances precision in bladder cancer detection, enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions about treatment. The improved visibility of carcinoma in situ (CIS) and high-grade tumors may lead to more aggressive therapeutic approaches when necessary, potentially reducing recurrence rates and improving long-term survival outcomes.

As bladder cancer treatment continues to evolve, integrating Blue Light Cystoscopy into routine diagnostic workflows could establish a new standard of care. The ability to identify tumors more accurately may contribute to more effective disease management, reducing the need for unnecessary procedures while ensuring that high-risk patients receive timely intervention.

Global Adoption and Future Implications

Photocure has been actively expanding the availability of Blue Light Cystoscopy beyond the United States, with strategic partnerships in Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Israel. As more healthcare institutions recognize the benefits of this advanced diagnostic tool, its adoption is expected to increase, further strengthening its role in the fight against bladder cancer.

Future studies will likely explore the long-term benefits of Blue Light Cystoscopy in reducing recurrence rates and improving survival outcomes. The findings from ASCO GU 2025 serve as an important milestone in advancing the clinical understanding of how precision diagnostics can transform bladder cancer management.

The presentation of new data at ASCO GU 2025 highlights the crucial role of Blue Light Cystoscopy in improving bladder cancer management by detecting tumors that conventional methods may miss. With the ability to upstage tumors and refine treatment strategies, this advanced imaging technique represents a major advancement in the early detection and classification of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. As adoption grows, Blue Light Cystoscopy may become an essential component in the fight against bladder cancer, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing disease recurrence rates worldwide.