Frontiers in Non-metastatic, Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

Abstract

The treatment landscape of bladder cancer is rapidly changing, with the introduction of novel therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), targeted therapies and antibody–drug conjugates. While most of the initial developments were in the treatment of metastatic disease, several recent advances have been made in the treatment of non-metastatic muscle-invasive disease. ICIs have demonstrated a role in the adjuvant treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and on-going studies are poised to better elucidate that role. Multiple studies are also investigating a role for ICIs as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments in the neoadjuvant treatment of urothelial cancer. There are also on-going studies exploring novel approaches to bladder preservation in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.