GU Cancers 2021 | Checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic urothelial cancer

Arlene Siefker-Radtke, MD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) with microsatellite instability (MSI), a phenotype characterized by high tumor mutational burden. A retrospective analysis showed a high response rate and durability of response in mUC patients with MSI treated with pembrolizumab, nivolumab or atezolizumab. Metastatic UC patients with MSI could benefit from frontline treatment with ICIs. In the future, treatment algorithms that avoid DNA-damaging agents such as chemotherapy may be utilized. This interview took place during the 2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.