Immunochemotherapy Development for Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a significant public health concern, with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) posing a particular challenge due to its aggressive nature and high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Conventional treatment approaches have shown limited success. At Alfa Cytology, our dedicated team of biologists and oncology experts has been at the forefront of exploring innovative immunochemotherapy to address this critical healthcare concern.
Introduction to Immunochemotherapy
Bladder cancer remains a significant health challenge, with muscle-invasive and non-metastatic forms posing particularly daunting obstacles. Despite advancements in surgical and radiation therapies, over 50% of patients with non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NM-MIBC) succumb to their disease, largely due to the early onset of micrometastases.
Fig. 1 Chemoimmunotherapy for bladder cancer: A multi-center real-world retrospective study. (Hu J., et al. 2022)
One promising avenue that has emerged is the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, known as "immunochemotherapy." This approach leverages the synergistic effects of chemotherapy and the immune system's potent anti-tumor capabilities. Chemotherapy can prime the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the activity of T cells and other immune effectors, while immunotherapy can further amplify this response, leading to potentially superior outcomes compared to NAC alone.
The rationale behind the development of immunochemotherapy for bladder cancer is multifaceted.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, while effective in directly killing cancer cells, can also induce immunogenic cell death and release tumor-associated antigens. This, in turn, can stimulate the immune system and enhance the recognition and elimination of cancer cells by the body's own defenses.
Immunotherapy
On the other hand, immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, can reinvigorate the suppressed immune responses, allowing the immune system to more effectively target and destroy the remaining cancer cells.
Ongoing Clinical Trials of Immunochemotherapy for Bladder Cancer
| Trial ID |
Combination Therapy |
Phase |
| NCT03924856 |
NAC + pembrolizumab |
Phase lll |
| NCT03406650 |
NAC + durvalumab |
Phase ll |
| NCT03661320 |
NAC + nivolumab |
Phase lll |
| NCT04099589 |
NAC + toripalimab |
Phase ll |
| NCT04430036 |
NAC + AGEN1884 + AGEN2034 |
Phase ll |
Our Services
At
Alfa Cytology, we offer a comprehensive range of preclinical services to support the development of innovative immunochemotherapy for bladder cancer. We conduct in-depth preclinical studies to assess the safety and efficacy of novel immunochemotherapy agents. Our team utilizes a wide range of established bladder cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models to evaluate the anti-tumor activity, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological profiles of these therapies. Our services include but are not limited to:
Combination Therapy Design
Building on the insights gained from the target validation studies, our team focuses on the rational design of immunochemotherapy combinations.
In Vitro Assessments
We employ a wide range of cell-based assays to thoroughly assess the synergistic effects of combining chemotherapeutic agents and immunotherapeutic agents.
- Mechanistic Studies
- Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Assays
- Immune Cell Activation and Cytokine Release
In Vivo Evaluations
To validate the preclinical findings and further assess the therapeutic potential of the immunochemotherapy candidates.
Contact Us
To learn more about our groundbreaking work in immunochemotherapy for bladder cancer or to explore potential collaboration opportunities, please don't hesitate to contact us at Alfa Cytology. Our team of experts is ready to engage in productive discussions and explore how we can work together to revolutionize the treatment landscape for this devastating disease.
Reference
- Hu J., Chen J., et al. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and combination therapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A multi-center real-world retrospective study. Cell Reports Medicine. 2022, 3 (11).
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.
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