Novel Options in Metastatic and Non-surgically Curable Bladder Cancer

Abstract

For over two decades, the prognosis of patients with metastatic or locally advanced non-resectable bladder cancer has remained poor, with no significant advances in life-prolonging treatment, especially following progression on platinum-based chemotherapy or for cisplatin-ineligible patients. In recent years, immunotherapy has changed the standard of care for an increasing number of tumour types, including bladder cancer. Here, we will review the current evidence of the clinical usage of immune checkpoint inhibitors with a focus on programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, as well as their toxicities, potential biomarkers and predictors of response, and provide an outline of future directions in the treatment of patients with metastatic and/or non-surgically curable urothelial bladder cancer.