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Immunotherapy uses the power of your immune system to fight your cancer. One type of immunotherapy is called an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Your immune system has built-in checkpoints that help it find invaders to attack, like bacteria or tumors. Cancer cells can trick these checkpoints by sending false signals. This disguises tumors so they appear harmless. As a result, immune cells called T cells don’t attack the tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block cancer’s false signals. This frees up your immune system to attack.
Bladder Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Therapy
For non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, your oncologist may use liquid therapies that are put into your bladder through a catheter (intravesical therapies). In BCG therapy, a liquid carrying the bacterium bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is put into your bladder several times over weeks or months. BCG does not usually cause illness. It helps your body’s natural defenses to see cancer cells and fight them. For precancerous lesions and non-muscle invasive cancers, this may control the disease and prevent more advanced cancer. Other intravesical therapies may include chemotherapy and new therapies available through clinical trials.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
For bladder cancer that has spread, we have medicines called immune checkpoint inhibitors. A healthy immune system attacks bacteria, viruses and sometimes harmful cells, like cancer cells. It is supposed to leave harmless cells alone. One way that cancer cells survive is by sending false signals that make them look harmless.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors block cancer’s false signals. This allows your natural defenses to work better. Your team may recommend one of these medicines based on the exact features of your cancer, your overall health and any other medical issues you have.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Immunotherapy for Bladder Cancer
Medical oncologists at Fred Hutch are experts in all forms of medicine to treat cancer, including the latest immunotherapy options. They know how to choose and combine drug options to match your needs. Besides standard therapies, we often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations for bladder cancer. We are able to offer therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your medical oncologist partners with the rest of your Fred Hutch care team. They work closely with your urologic oncologist and radiation oncologist. They design a treatment plan for you to target your tumor and have the least impact on healthy tissue. Your medical oncologist also works closely with you to manage any side effects from medicine-based treatments. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself.
Immunotherapy drugs that activate the immune system are often used either alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for bladder cancer include: pembrolizumab, durvalumab, nivolumab and avelumab.
Common side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors include:
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea or constipation
- Skin rash or itching
- Joint pain
- Change in hormone levels
If your Fred Hutch team recommends immunotherapy, we’ll explain what to expect based on the medicine you’re getting and how to manage these side effects.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture. Fred Hutch researchers continue to look for the best ways to keep side effects at bay.