Articles

New mechanisms of action and new combinations in urothelial cancer

BJMO - volume 18, issue 6, october

G. Desimpel MD, E. Seront MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The year 2023 marked a significant revolution in urothelial cancer, introducing novel anticancer strategies. The synergy between antibody-drug conjugates and immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to a drastic improvement in patient outcomes. Using this combination in first-line metastatic urothelial carcinoma has achieved a median overall survival exceeding 30 months, a milestone in the field. This breakthrough not only paves the way for a deeper comprehension of the disease’s pathogenesis but also underscores the pivotal role of combinations in urothelial carcinoma, applicable not only in advanced stages but also in the localised setting. This review serves as a reminder of the novel mechanism of action of these drugs, alongside highlighting their safety profile. Additionally, we emphasise the critical importance of refining patient selection criteria, particularly in the context of immune checkpoint inhibitors and bladder sparing strategies.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(6):227-234)

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