Newer Approaches to Treatment of Bladder Cancer

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Philippe E. Spiess
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 MD, MS, FRCSC
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Thomas W. Flaig
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Several clinical trials in bladder cancer have resulted in FDA approvals and subsequent revisions to the NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer. Cystectomy remains the primary treatment approach for bacillus Calmette-Guérin—unresponsive non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC); however, in patients for whom such surgical intervention is not feasible, several bladder-sparing approaches are now available. In addition to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by resection as an established standard for MIBC, perioperative or sandwich therapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin plus durvalumab is now also an option. The systemic treatment landscape for MIBC and metastatic disease is expanding to further incorporate antibody–drug conjugates, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted therapies.

Disclosures: Dr. Flaig has disclosed receiving grant/research support from Agensys, Inc., Astellas Pharma US, Inc., AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi-Aventis US, and Seagen Inc.; receiving consulting fees from Criterium, Inc.; and serving as a scientific advisor for Criterium, Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica Products. Dr. Spiess has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Correspondence: Philippe E. Spiess, MD, MS, FRCSC, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Office 12538, Tampa, FL 33612. Email: philippe.spiess@moffitt.org; and
Thomas W. Flaig, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Mail Stop 8117, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Room L18-8117, Aurora, CO 80045. Email: thomas.flaig@ucdenver.edu
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