New developments in first- and second-line chemotherapy for transitional cell, squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the bladder

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review the systemic treatment, patient selection and treatment outcome of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, focusing on advances and findings within the last year.

Recent findings: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is considered to be the standard treatment for transitional cell carcinoma. In recent updates of randomized trials, patients with favorable prognostic factors were shown to have a chance of long-term disease-free survival even after chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Patient selection for cisplatin, newer drugs or alternative combinations is crucial. New genetic markers like excision repair cross-complementing 1 expression were developed and tested for this purpose. Adequate evaluation of renal function plays an important role for treatment selection, especially in the elderly population. Newer chemotherapeutics like oxaliplatin, vinflunine and pemetrexed have been studied in the first- or second-line settings. Their efficacy is promising, but there is still a need for further testing. Only few data are available on the systemic treatment of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Complete resection seems to be more important than chemotherapy in the rare cases of adenocarcinoma of the urinary tract.

Summary: In locally advanced and metastatic disease patient- and tumor-related prognostic factors and predictive factors for response to treatment will guide treatment decisions in the future.