Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in the treatment of nonmetastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review.

When possible, chemotherapy containing cisplatin is recommended before patients undergo radical surgery for bladder cancer. Multiple studies are currently evaluating the additional effect of immunotherapy (drugs that activate the immune system). We reviewed all ongoing studies and found an apparent better control of bladder cancer with the chemotherapy + immunotherapy combination. Stronger studies are needed, however, to confirm these preliminary results. In patients who cannot receive cisplatin, different chemotherapy + immunotherapy combinations were used, but with inconclusive results.