New Combination Therapy Brings Hope to Bladder Cancer Patients
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered a new treatment combination that shows promise for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who cannot receive standard-of-care cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Results from the study, presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer annual meeting, show that this innovative approach is both safe and effective.
In the study, 21 patients received a combination of cretostimogene grenadenorepvec, an oncolytic immunotherapy genetically engineered to attack cancer cells, and immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab. More than 42% of participants achieved a complete pathological response, meaning no evidence of cancer was found after treatment. This response rate compares favorably to that of traditional cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
During #SITC24 Moffitt’s Roger Li, MD (@UrogerliMD) discusses the combination of oncolytic virotherapy and nivolumab (C+N) as a therapy for cisplatin-ineligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). #MoffittSITC24 @sitcancer
— Moffitt Cancer Center (@MoffittNews) November 9, 2024
➡️ Combination neoadjuvant treatment using Creto +… pic.twitter.com/I4xmzFGHwC
Importantly, the combination treatment was well tolerated, with no serious side effects that delayed surgery. About 70% of patients remained cancer free one year after treatment.
“Combining local and systemic immunotherapy is a promising strategy for patients who cannot receive standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy,” said Roger Li, MD, principal investigator of the trial and urologic oncologist at Moffitt. “Our findings suggest that this approach not only achieves comparable efficacy but also has a favorable safety profile, making it a viable alternative for this vulnerable patient group.”
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 83,000 Americans will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2024. It’s the fourth most common cancer among men.
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer has grown into the muscle layer of the bladder wall and possibly deeper. These cancers are more likely to spread and they tend to be harder to treat.
Nearly three-fourths of patients diagnosed with high-risk bladder cancer will recur, progress or die within 10 years of their diagnosis. According to Li, the older population is more at risk for bladder cancer, specifically men in their 70s.
Researchers also examined how the treatment affects immune responses. They found that the combination therapy enhanced the immune system’s ability to target and fight cancer cells. Specifically, a type of immune response that uses B cells was activated following treatment and seemed to play an important role in eliminating the tumor.
While the findings are promising, the researchers aim to conduct further studies to better understand the mechanisms behind the treatment’s success and to explore ways to improve outcomes for bladder cancer patients.
