Brigitte Duclos

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About

Brigitte Duclos is a distinguished urologic oncologist whose research centers on nephron-sparing surgery, targeted therapies for renal cell carcinoma, and the optimization of surgical outcomes in kidney cancer. Her most impactful work investigates the use of axitinib, a potent VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to downstage cT2a renal tumors to cT1 size, thereby enabling patients who would otherwise require radical nephrectomy to undergo partial nephrectomy. This landmark Phase II study (AXIPAN) demonstrated that neoadjuvant axitinib can successfully reduce tumor burden while preserving long-term renal function—a critical advance given that partial nephrectomy is associated with improved overall survival. Though her highly cited AXIPAN trial has garnered significant attention in the urologic oncology community, Dr. Duclos’s broader contributions include refining patient selection criteria for nephron-sparing approaches and investigating perioperative outcomes. Her work bridges the gap between medical oncology and surgical urology, offering patients with larger tumors a chance at renal preservation. As a clinician-researcher, she continues to shape evidence-based protocols that balance oncologic control with quality-of-life considerations, making her a key figure in the evolution of kidney cancer management.