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© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has provided durable treatment responses in advanced, metastatic, bladder cancer patients. The first trials using checkpoint inhibitors before surgery, when the cancer is still confined to the pelvis, without signs of metastasis, have reported promising results. We reviewed the literature to identify clinical trials combining ICI with bladder-sparing chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Radiotherapy stimulates the immune system, thereby possibly inducing an additive effect in combination with checkpoint inhibition. Currently, twelve trials are treating patients with this immunochemoradiotherapy (iCRT) combination treatment. Several combinations with different chemotherapeutics and ICI added to CRT appear safe and feasible. Further research and comparative trials are needed to prove whether iCRT has additional clinical value for bladder cancer patients.

Abstract

Despite current treatment strategies, the 5-year overall survival of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is approximately 50%. Historically, radical cystectomy (RC) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been the first-choice treatment for this patient group. Recently, several studies have reported encouraging results of using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) prior to RC. However, in recent years, bladder-sparing alternatives such as CRT have gained popularity. The effect of radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment is an important rationale for combining CRT with ICI therapy. Worldwide, twelve immunochemoradiotherapy (iCRT) trials are ongoing. Each study employs a different chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimen and varies the timing of ICI administration concurrent to radiotherapy, adjuvant, or both. Five studies have presented (preliminary) results showing promising safety and short-term survival data. The first peer-reviewed publications are expected in the near future. The preclinical evidence and preliminary patient data demonstrate the potential of iCRT bladder-sparing treatment for bladder cancer.

Details

Title
Bladder-Sparing Chemoradiotherapy Combined with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition for Locally Advanced Urothelial Bladder Cancer—A Review
Author
van Hattum, Jons W 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ben-Max de Ruiter 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Oddens, Jorg R 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Maarten C C M Hulshof 2 ; de Reijke, Theo M 1 ; Bins, Adriaan D 3 

 Department of Urology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; [email protected] (J.W.v.H.); [email protected] (B.-M.d.R.); [email protected] (J.R.O.); [email protected] (T.M.d.R.) 
 Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; [email protected] 
 Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands 
First page
38
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20726694
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2618205514
Copyright
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.