Atezolizumab for adjuvant treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Atezolizumab is currently in clinical development for the adjuvant treatment of circulating tumour DNA test (ctDNA) positive muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) following cystectomy. Bladder cancer is a disease in which certain cells in the bladder become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably to form a tumour. MIBC is when the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the bladder and into the muscle layer. ctDNA is DNA found in the bloodstream that has come from cancerous cells. The most well-known risk factor for MIBC is smoking, and the most common symptom is blood in the urine. A common treatment option for patients with MIBC treated with curative intent is a radical cystectomy, a surgery where parts or all the bladder is removed. The relapse rate is high in patients with high risk MIBC if they only receive standard treatment.