APAO 2026: Dr. Angela Jia on Navigating Data in Prostate and GU Cancer

Physician associates (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are crucial to the oncology multidisciplinary team, particularly in managing treatment toxicities and coordinating long-term survivorship care. At the 29th Annual Oncology Symposium for the Healthcare Provider, hosted by the Association of PAs in Oncology (APAO) from August 13 to 16, 2026, at the New York Marriott Marquis, clinical updates took center stage. The four-day event brought together healthcare professionals to bridge clinical research and daily patient care.

Among the key educational sessions was a Friday morning presentation focused on recent genitourinary oncology clinical trial data, titled "Content from ASCO: Prostate/GU." This concurrent session was delivered by Angela Jia, MD, PhD, of University Hospitals, Cleveland Medical Center. In an interview with Oncology Nursing News following her presentation, Jia discussed the evolving responsibilities of advanced practice providers (APPs) and emphasized the value of translating high-level clinical trial data into practical clinical strategies.

An Integral Presence in Daily Oncology Care

According to Jia, the collaborative model in modern oncology clinics relies heavily on the daily vigilance and expertise of PAs and NPs. "PAs and NPs are such an integral part of the team," Jia stated. She observed that APPs regularly serve as primary touchpoints for patients undergoing cancer therapies, noting that they see patients as often as physicians do. Consistent patient contact uniquely positions APPs to detect subtle changes in patient status and clinical trajectories.

Managing Toxicities and Long-Term Follow-Up

The day-to-day management of cancer patients involves navigating complex drug regimens, including immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and chemotherapy. APPs are tasked with monitoring these patients closely to ensure safety and adherence. Specifically, Jia highlighted that APPs are "critical, especially when it comes to managing toxicity." By proactively identifying and addressing adverse events, PAs and NPs help prevent treatment interruptions and minimize serious complications.

In addition to acute toxicity management, Jia underscored the vital role APPs play in long-term surveillance. Once patients transition out of active therapy, APPs often lead dedicated "long-term follow-up" clinics. In this capacity, PAs and NPs monitor for late-onset side effects, screen for recurrence, and manage survivorship care plans, ensuring continuity of care over several years.

Navigating Nuances in Conference Data

Major scientific meetings, such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, present massive volumes of rapidly evolving data. For busy clinical APPs, digesting and applying this scientific literature can be challenging. Jia emphasized the importance of sessions that synthesize this research specifically for APPs, noting that "breaking down the key results from these conferences" is essential. Because modern clinical oncology trials are highly complex, "sometimes things can get lost and there can be nuances" that healthcare providers might not immediately recognize.

By having clinical trial nuances clearly pointed out, APPs can synthesize the findings more effectively. Ultimately, Jia concluded, this focused educational translation is "very helpful in better serving our patients" and optimizing therapeutic outcomes across multidisciplinary cancer care teams nationwide.