Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary system and the sixth most common cancer in the United States. The overall incidence of UC appears to be on the decline, but death rates have remained stable. (1,2) Stage IV metastatic disease is associated with only a 5% survival rate at 5 years.(2) Gemcitabine and cisplatin combinations or dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin are the preferred regimens for individuals with a good performance status and organ function. Second-line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease is limited. Over the course of one year, five immune checkpoint inhibitors were approved for treatment of cancers in the locally advanced or metastatic setting: atezolizumab, nivolumab, durvalumab, avelumab, and pembrolizumab. Immunotherapies have played a significant role in the treatment of various cancers and have continued to expand. It is of utmost importance that practitioners include checkpoint inhibitors as treatment options for UC. Based on the limited data, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab may be the drugs of choice, as they are supported by the most influential data to date; however, further research is warranted. Ongoing clinical trials will further assess the benefits of inducing cellular immunity in the treatment of UC. These therapies mark a new landscape in the treatment of UC. In this article, the available data on immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic UC and their place in therapy are reviewed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Pharmacotherapy. 2017 Sep 26 [Epub ahead of print]
Kirollos S Hanna
Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Mayo Clinic & University of Minnesota Medical Center, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905.