Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a highly aggressive disease with a significant risk of recurrence with metastatic disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been the preferred approach for cisplatin-eligible patients, with regimens such as dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and ci...

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Main Authors: Ursula Vogl, Giuseppe Salfi, Giovanna Pecoraro, Martino Pedrani, Ricardo Pereira Mestre, Marialuisa Puglisi, Fabio Turco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: THE HEALTHBOOK COMPANY LTD. 2025-06-01
Series:healthbook TIMES. Oncology Hematology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.36000/HBT.OH.2025.24.184
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author Ursula Vogl
Giuseppe Salfi
Giovanna Pecoraro
Martino Pedrani
Ricardo Pereira Mestre
Marialuisa Puglisi
Fabio Turco
author_facet Ursula Vogl
Giuseppe Salfi
Giovanna Pecoraro
Martino Pedrani
Ricardo Pereira Mestre
Marialuisa Puglisi
Fabio Turco
author_sort Ursula Vogl
collection DOAJ
description Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a highly aggressive disease with a significant risk of recurrence with metastatic disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been the preferred approach for cisplatin-eligible patients, with regimens such as dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (ddMVAC), as well as gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC). Recent trials adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the perioperative setting have shown promising results. Notably, the phase III NIAGARA trial established durvalumab plus GC as a new standard of care for perioperative treatment of cisplatin-eligible patients with MIBC. For cisplatin-ineligible patients, comprising approximately half of the MIBC population, alternative treatment strategies are explored in clinical trials, including immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and novel drug combinations. Furthermore, the emergence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker for treatment guidance is under investigation for risk stratification and personalization of adjuvant immunotherapy. This review article highlights the current practice in MIBC management, focusing on neoadjuvant and perioperative treatment strategies, novel therapeutic approaches and the evolving role of biomarkers in guiding clinical decisions. PEER REVIEWED ARTICLE **Peer reviewers:** Prof. Maria De Santis, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria One anonymous peer reviewer This article was received on May 14, 2025; accepted after peer review on June 25, 2025; published on June 27, 2025.
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series healthbook TIMES. Oncology Hematology
spelling doaj-art-0829ca80816c4fb4aa505b4cbc33b07e2025-08-20T03:16:42ZengTHE HEALTHBOOK COMPANY LTD.healthbook TIMES. Oncology Hematology2673-20922673-21062025-06-0124210.36000/HBT.OH.2025.24.184Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder CancerUrsula VoglGiuseppe SalfiGiovanna PecoraroMartino PedraniRicardo Pereira MestreMarialuisa PuglisiFabio TurcoMuscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a highly aggressive disease with a significant risk of recurrence with metastatic disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been the preferred approach for cisplatin-eligible patients, with regimens such as dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (ddMVAC), as well as gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC). Recent trials adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the perioperative setting have shown promising results. Notably, the phase III NIAGARA trial established durvalumab plus GC as a new standard of care for perioperative treatment of cisplatin-eligible patients with MIBC. For cisplatin-ineligible patients, comprising approximately half of the MIBC population, alternative treatment strategies are explored in clinical trials, including immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and novel drug combinations. Furthermore, the emergence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker for treatment guidance is under investigation for risk stratification and personalization of adjuvant immunotherapy. This review article highlights the current practice in MIBC management, focusing on neoadjuvant and perioperative treatment strategies, novel therapeutic approaches and the evolving role of biomarkers in guiding clinical decisions. PEER REVIEWED ARTICLE **Peer reviewers:** Prof. Maria De Santis, Department of Urology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria One anonymous peer reviewer This article was received on May 14, 2025; accepted after peer review on June 25, 2025; published on June 27, 2025.https://doi.org/10.36000/HBT.OH.2025.24.184
spellingShingle Ursula Vogl
Giuseppe Salfi
Giovanna Pecoraro
Martino Pedrani
Ricardo Pereira Mestre
Marialuisa Puglisi
Fabio Turco
Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
healthbook TIMES. Oncology Hematology
title Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
title_full Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
title_fullStr Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
title_full_unstemmed Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
title_short Current Advances in the Perioperative Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
title_sort current advances in the perioperative treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer
url https://doi.org/10.36000/HBT.OH.2025.24.184
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