Michael A. Poch, MD, urologist and assistant member at Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the potential of nivolumab (Opdivo) as a treatment for patients with metastatic bladder cancer.

In bladder cancer, checkpoint inhibition has proven to be an exciting concept, Poch explains. Checkpoint inhibitors block the downregulation of the immune cell, whether it’s nivolumab or pembrolizumab (Keytruda) on the PD-1 side, or whether it’s atezolizumab (Tecentriq) or durvalumab on the PD-L1 side, he adds.

Thus far, encouraging responses have been observed in patients who have failed cisplatin-based chemotherapy. In June 2016, the FDA granted nivolumab a priority review designation as a potential treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma after the failure of a platinum-containing regimen, primarily based on findings from the phase II CA209-275 trial.

Michael A. Poch, MD

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Dr. Poch on Nivolumab as a Treatment for Patients With Bladder Cancer