Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and - Report - MDSpire

Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and

  • By

  • Wei Zhang

  • Haowen Wu

  • Langkun Wang

  • Hang Xu

  • Tianhai Lin

  • Ping Tan

  • Peng Zhang

  • Xiaonan Zheng

  • June 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Urothelial Carcinoma Treatment

Overview

This comprehensive review evaluates the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in treating locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). It highlights the significant advancements in treatment options, particularly the role of enfortumab vedotin, sacituzumab govitecan, and disitamab vedotin, while addressing the challenges in translating clinical trial results to routine practice.

Background

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) poses a significant global health challenge due to its high recurrence rates and rapid progression. Traditional treatments, primarily platinum-based chemotherapy, have shown limited overall survival benefits, particularly in patients who are cisplatin-ineligible. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has improved outcomes, but many patients exhibit primary resistance, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Data Highlights

This review synthesizes data from various interventional trials and observational studies to quantify outcomes related to ADCs in UC treatment.

Key Findings

  • ADCs like enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan target specific antigens, enhancing drug delivery to tumor cells.
  • Clinical trials have demonstrated improved overall survival and response rates with ADCs compared to traditional chemotherapy.
  • There exists an efficacy-effectiveness gap, where trial results may not fully translate to broader clinical populations.
  • Advanced meta-regression techniques were employed to analyze clinical covariates affecting treatment outcomes.
  • Safety profiles of ADCs indicate common adverse events, including cutaneous reactions and peripheral neuropathy.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider ADCs as viable treatment options for patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC, particularly for those who are ineligible for cisplatin-based therapies. Understanding the safety profiles and efficacy of these agents is crucial for optimizing patient management and improving outcomes.

Conclusion

The integration of ADCs into the treatment landscape of urothelial carcinoma represents a significant advancement, although careful consideration of their application in diverse patient populations is essential for maximizing therapeutic benefits.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The ASCO Post, Genitourinary Oncology 2021–2022 Almanac
  2. The ASCO Post, Atezolizumab in Previously Treated Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma
  3. The ASCO Post, Immunotherapy Has Indelibly Changed the Treatment Paradigm in Urothelial Carcinoma
  4. The ASCO Post, Urothelial Cancer Survival in the Eras Before and After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Antibody-Drug Conjugates
  5. Exploratory subgroup analyses of EV-302: a phase III global study to evaluate enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma - PMC
  6. Avelumab Maintenance Therapy for Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma | New England Journal of Medicine
  7. Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Untreated Advanced Urothelial Cancer | New England Journal of Medicine
  8. Exploratory subgroup analyses of EV-302: a phase III global study to evaluate enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma - PMC
  9. Avelumab Maintenance Therapy for Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma | New England Journal of Medicine
  10. Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Untreated Advanced Urothelial Cancer | New England Journal of Medicine

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