A comprehensive review of immunotherapy clinical trials for metastatic urothelial carcinoma: Immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination, novel antibodies, cellular therapies, and vaccines

Authors

Dixita M. Patel, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Ruba Mateen, Department of Internal Medicine, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Olympia Fields, IL 60461, USA.
Noor Qaddour, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Alessandra Carrillo, Department of Internal Medicine, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Olympia Fields, IL 60461, USA.
Claire Verschraegen, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Yuanquan Yang, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Zihai Li, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Debasish Sundi, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Amir Mortazavi, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Katharine A. Collier, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Recommended Citation

Patel DM, Mateen R, Qaddour N, et al. A Comprehensive Review of Immunotherapy Clinical Trials for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Alone or in Combination, Novel Antibodies, Cellular Therapies, and Vaccines. Cancers (Basel). 2024;16(2):335. Published 2024 Jan 12. doi:10.3390/cancers16020335

Affiliations

Advocate Christ Medical Center

Abstract

Urothelial cancer is an immune-responsive cancer, but only a subset of patients benefits from immune checkpoint inhibition. Currently, single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the combination of pembrolizumab with the antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin are approved to treat patients with metastatic UC (mUC). Approval of first-line nivolumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin is expected imminently. Many treatment approaches are being investigated to better harness the immune system to fight mUC. In this review, we summarize the landmark clinical trials of ICIs that led to their incorporation into the current standard of care for mUC. We further discuss recent and ongoing clinical trials in mUC, which are investigating ICIs in combination with other agents, including chemotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and novel antibodies. Lastly, we review novel approaches utilizing bispecific antibodies, cellular therapies, and vaccines. The landscape of immunotherapy for mUC is rapidly evolving and will hopefully lead to better outcomes for patients.

Type

Article

PubMed ID

38254823