Can you feel it?
Clinical trial research programming looms large at AUA2026.
Research is the lifeblood of medicine, powered by a passion—and a need—to advance human health, reduce global disease, innovate safe and effective treatments and improve overall quality of life and longevity. For decades, AUA has been a dedicated contributor to each of those factors in urology.
Nowhere are the efforts more apparent than during the AUA Annual Meeting. The AUA2026 meeting is no different, said Neal Shore, MD, FACS, who will share his personal experience and journey in research. Dr. Shore is medical director of the START Carolinas/Carolina Urologic Research Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The thrilling story of his professional journey, lessons learned in leadership of over 500 clinical trials and transformation of the landscape of genitourinary cancers will be told in the session Planning to Plenary: Behind the Scenes of Leading Urology Clinical Trials, 8-9 a.m. Sunday in the Learning Lab within the Science & Technology Hall. Additional highlights from Dr. Shore’s experience include his perspectives on mentorship and collaboration, the importance of embracing career-turning points and the evolution of urologic oncology. The program, co-directed by Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc, further features a multidisciplinary panel to discuss lessons learned and suggestions for future research leaders, Dr. Shore said.
Planning to Plenary: Behind the Scenes of Leading Urology Clinical Trials will serve as the leading programming for the full day of Clinical Trials in Progress presentations for bladder cancer (9-11 a.m.) and prostate cancer (1-3 p.m.), also taking place in the Learning Lab on Sunday. Back by popular demand after debuting in 2024, AUA Clinical Trials in Progress sessions will once again deliver AUA attendees insights from results of promising Phase 1 to 3 clinical trials currently underway.
The AUA will also provide additional clinical trial education throughout AUA2026.
“AUA creates education and innovation for next-generation urology researchers,” Dr. Shore said. “We take a collaborative approach with numerous stakeholders to ensure that urology continues to evolve and lead scientific and clinical research.”
The AUA Plenary Stage will once again be home to the most impactful, late-breaking clinical trial results and landmark clinical studies in the practice-changing, paradigm-shifting clinical trials in urology (P2s).
“As the largest annual gathering of urologists and urologic-disease-focused scientists, it is of paramount importance that AUA assures the most relevant, timely, and in-demand clinical trial research education is available to our attendees,” said AUA Secretary David Penson, MD. “Arming urologists and ancillary specialists with knowledge of clinical trial advances, opportunities for participation, awareness of challenges in real-time and inspiration from the giants such as Dr. Shore who have paved the way for the next generation is essential to optimize quality of care and clinical outcomes both now and into the future.”
