New emerging targets in advanced urothelial carcinoma: Is it the primetime for personalized medicine?. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Audisio, Marco; Tucci, Marcello; Di Stefano, Rosario Francesco; Parlagreco, Elena; Ungaro, Antonio; Turco, Fabio; Audisio, Alessandro; Di Prima, Lavinia; Ortega, Cinzia; Di Maio, Massimo; Scagliotti, Giorgio Vittorio; Buttigliero, Consuelo
• Is Part Of: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. Volume 174(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Advanced urothelial cancer -- FGFR inhibitor -- Immunotherapy -- Antibody drug conjugate -- Target therapy; Oncology -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103682
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-8428

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years the introduction of immunotherapy has importantly changed the treatment landscape of advanced urothelial carcinoma. Several immune checkpoint inhibitors are now the standard of care as maintenance treatment after disease control with platinum-based first-line chemotherapy (avelumab), in subsequent lines (pembrolizumab) or as upfront therapy in platinum-ineligible patients (atezolizumab or pembrolizumab). Moreover, personalized therapy based on tumor molecular features has been developed. Namely, the increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis and molecular pathways underlying cancer development and progression is leading the introduction of target therapies such as the recently approved fibroblastic growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor erdafitinib or the anti-nectin 4 antibody drug-conjugated enfortumab vedotin. Consequently, clinicians face new challenges, such as the choice of the best therapeutic sequence for each patient. The aim of this review is focusing on the emerging treatment options in metastatic urothelial carcinoma and discussing clinical features for choosing therapeutic sequencing. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Many bladder cancer patients are platinum ineligible and the long-term outcome is poor. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are currently the standard therapy as maintenance and 2nd line. FGFR inhibitors are showing promising results in urothelial cancer with FGFR alterations. Enfortumab vedotin is showing encouraging result in advanced urothelial cancer. The introduction of target therapy could make the therapeutic sequencing choice challenging.