First-line avelumab for PD-L1 positive metastatic urothelial cancer in cisplatin ineligible patients

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the recommended treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), but about 50% of mUC patients are considered to be cisplatin ineligible. The Italian multicenter ARIES study evaluated first-line avelumab (anti-PD-L1) for PD-L1 positive mUC in cisplatin ineligible patients. Complete response was seen in 8.5% of patients and partial response in 15.5%. The median overall survival was 10.0 months (95% CI 5.5-14.5), and 43% of patients were alive at one year. Treatment was well tolerated.