Bladder cancer, the sixth most common cancer in the United States, is most commonly of the urothelial carcinoma histologic subtype. The clinical spectrum of bladder cancer is divided into 3 categories that differ in prognosis, management, and therapeutic aims: (1) non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC); (2) muscle invasive, nonmetastatic disease; and (3) metastatic bladder cancer. These NCCN Guidelines Insights detail recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer, including changes in the fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumours: Urinary and Male Genital Tumours and how the NCCN Guidelines aligned with these updates; new and emerging treatment options for bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)–unresponsive NMIBC; and updates to systemic therapy recommendations for advanced or metastatic disease.
Diagnosis and Management of Non-Metastatic Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: AUA/SUO Guideline
475 Background: Emerging evidence supports use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for appropriately selected patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, oncologic outcomes have not been well characterized for patients with residual muscle-invasive disease after NAC. Methods: We used a multi-institutional cohort from 24 centers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan to retrospectively identify patients who underwent RNU for UTUC from 1985-2022 and had high-grade muscle-invasive disease. We stratified the cohort based on receipt of NAC (>ypT2 vs. >pT2). Exclusion criteria included receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent cystectomy with RNU, and distant metastatic disease. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test was used to compare differences in recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Multivariable Cox regression and Fine-Gray competing risk regression were used to determine predictors of these outcomes. Results: A total of 1,233 patients were included, 62 of whom received NAC prior to RNU. A platinum-based regimen was used in 90% of NAC recipients, and the median number of cycles administered was 4 (IQR: 3-5). Median follow-up time among all patients was 22 months (IQR: 8-47 mo.). NAC recipients were more likely to have pathologic node positivity (35% vs. 13%) and less likely to have positive tumor margins (8% vs. 28%). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, NAC recipients with residual >ypT2 disease had poorer outcomes than those with >pT2 disease (2-year RFS [NAC vs. no NAC]: 52% vs. 80%, p<0.001; 2-year OS: 60% vs. 78%, p=0.003; 2-year CSS: 61% vs. 86%, p<0.001). Multivariable analyses also showed a statistically significant association between residual muscle-invasive disease after NAC and poorer RFS, OS, and CSS (Table). Conclusions: NAC recipients with >ypT2 disease at RNU after exhibit poorer outcomes than stage-matched chemotherapy naïve counterparts. This may reflect effects of occult micrometastatic disease or chemoresistant primary tumors in non-responders. Our data highlight the need to improve prospective identification of candidates most likely to respond to NAC prior to RNU for UTUC in order to maximize its therapeutic benefit. [Table: see text]
NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Bladder Cancer, Version 2.2022
The NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer and other urinary tract cancers (upper tract tumors, urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, primary carcinoma of the urethra). These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel discussion behind recent important updates to the guidelines regarding the treatment of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer, including how to treat in the event of a bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortage; new roles for immune checkpoint inhibitors in non–muscle invasive, muscle-invasive, and metastatic bladder cancer; and the addition of antibody–drug conjugates for metastatic bladder cancer.
Neoadjuvant accelerated MVAC (AMVAC) in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer: Results of a multicenter phase II study.
4526 Background: Standard methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (MVAC) demonstrates a survival benefit in the neoadjuvant setting for patients (pts) with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Compared with standard MVAC, AMVAC yielded higher response rates with less toxicity in the metastatic setting. Methods: Pts with MIBC, cT2-T4a, and N0-N1 with CrCl >=50 and adequate hepatic and marrow function were eligible. Pts received 3 cycles of AMVAC (methotrexate 30 mg/m2, vinblastine 3 mg/m2, doxorubicin 30 mg/m2, cisplatin 70mg/m2) on day 1, with pegfilgrastim 6 mg day 2 or 3, every 2 weeks. Pts with CrCl < 60 could receive cisplatin split over 2 days. Radical cystectomy (RC) with lymph node dissection was performed 4-8 weeks after the last dose of chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. Results: Accrual is complete with 44 MIBC pts enrolled at 2 institutions (FCCC, TJU) over a 25 month period. Median age 64 (range 45-83). Three withdrew from study early and are not evaluable for response (2 physician discretion, 1 withdrawal of consent). An additional 8 are currently receiving treatment on study with toxicity and response data pending. Of the 33 evaluable pts for whom final data is available, 30 received all 3 cycles of AMVAC at full dose. Three pts received < 3 cycles due to grade 3 fatigue (1), low platelets (1), and disease progression precluding RC (1). 32/33 pts underwent RC, all within 8 weeks of last chemotherapy. Median time from start of chemotherapy to RC was 9.7 wks (range 4.6-13 wks). 13/33 pts (39.4%, 95% CI, 22.7-56.1%) had a pCR. An additional 3 (9.1%) were downstaged to non muscle invasive disease. For the intent to treat cohort (n=36) 8 pts had grade 3-4 AMVAC related adverse events, the most common being anemia (3), fatigue (3) and neutropenia (2) and overall pCR rate was 36.1%. (95% CI, 20.4-51.8%). All pts will have completed study treatment by April 2012. Final results will be presented. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant AMVAC is well tolerated and preliminary results show a pCR rate similar to that reported for standard 12-week MVAC, suggesting that AMVAC for three cycles (6 weeks) is a safe and efficient alternative.
Bladder Cancer, Version 3.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology
This selection from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Bladder Cancer focuses on the clinical presentation and workup of suspected bladder cancer, treatment of non–muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer, and treatment of metastatic urothelial bladder cancer because important updates have recently been made to these sections. Some important updates include recommendations for optimal treatment of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the event of a bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortage and details about biomarker testing for advanced or metastatic disease. The systemic therapy recommendations for second-line or subsequent therapies have also been revised. Treatment and management of muscle-invasive, nonmetastatic disease is covered in the complete version of the NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer available at NCCN.org . Additional topics covered in the complete version include treatment of nonurothelial histologies and recommendations for nonbladder urinary tract cancers such as upper tract urothelial carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, and primary carcinoma of the urethra.
Atezolizumab (atezo) as first-line (1L) therapy in cisplatin-ineligible locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC): Primary analysis of IMvigor210 cohort 1.
LBA4500 Background: Cisplatin-based chemo is a standard 1L treatment (tx) for mUC and the only tx that prolongs OS; however, age or comorbidities render many pts ineligible, and 30-50% receive no tx. Atezo (MPDL3280A) is active and well tolerated in platinum-treated mUC, justifying testing atezo as 1L tx in cisplatin-ineligible pts. Methods: Pts were chemo naive in the metastatic setting and cisplatin ineligible (renal [GFR > 30 but < 60 mL/min]/hearing impairment, ≥ G2 peripheral neuropathy [PN] or ≥ ECOG PS2). Atezo 1200 mg was given IV q3w until PD (RECIST v1.1). Centrally assessed PD-L1 on tumor infiltrating immune cells (IC; SP142 IHC assay) was scored IC2/3, 1 or 0. The primary efficacy endpoint was confirmed ORR assessed per RECIST v1.1 (central independent review facility) using a data cutoff of Sep 14, 2015. Results: 119 efficacy/safety-evaluable pts of any PD-L1 IC had a median age of 73 y: 21% ≥ 80 y. 18% had prior systemic tx (21% [neo]adjuvant); 10% had radiotherapy. 66% had visceral mets. 71% had CrCl < 60 mL/min; 13% had hearing loss ≥ 25 dB; 6% had prior PN ≥ G2; 20% had ECOG PS2. ORR was 19% (95% CI 13-28; 5% CR), and responses occurred in all IC subgroups (Table; includes DCR/PFS/OS) and in pts with poor prognostic factors. 22/23 responses were ongoing with mDOR not reached. Median follow-up was 8.5 mo (range 0.2-14.3); median tx duration was 15 wk. Atezo was generally well tolerated. Tx-related all-G and G3-4 AEs were seen in 64% and 12% of pts, respectively. Related all-G AEs ≥ 10% included fatigue, pruritus, diarrhea. 1 G5 related AE occurred (sepsis). 3% had a G3-4 immune-mediated AE. Conclusions: Atezo has clinically meaningful activity in 1L cisplatin-ineligible mUC pts, and preliminary OS is encouraging. The durable nature of response and favorable AE profile makes this an attractive alternative to chemo. NCT02108652. Clinical trial information: NCT02108652. [Table: see text]