Immunotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer
For patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma whose tumor have spread and cannot be removed surgically or have disease progression after receiving chemotherapy containing platinum, medical studies have demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective second-line treatment options.39。
There are two classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors for treating locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.37。
PD-L1 Inhibitor38
This type of immunotherapy target PD-L1, a protein on cells (including some cancer cells) that helps keep the immune system from attacking them. By blocking PD-L1, these drugs boost the immune response against the cancer cells. This can shrink some tumors or slow their growth.
PD-1 Inhibitor38
This type of immunotherapy targets PD-1, another protein that normally helps keep the immune system in check. Blocking PD-1 can help the immune system attack the cancer cells.
All above classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors can be used in patients with advanced bladder cancer that starts growing again after chemotherapy.