Revolutionizing Treatment: Breakthrough Approaches for BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the 10th most popular cancer in the world, and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is diagnosed in ~80% of all cases. Treatments for NMIBC include transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) and intravesical instillations of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Treatment of BCG-unresponsive tumors is scarce and usually leads to Radical Cystectomy. In this paper, we review recent advancements in conservative treatment of BCG-unresponsive tumors. The main focus of the paper is FDA-approved medications: Pembrolizumab and Nadofaragene Firadenovec (Adstiladrin). Other, less researched therapeutic possibilities are also included, namely: N-803 immunotherapy, TAR-200 and TAR-210 intravesical delivery systems and combined Cabazitaxel, Gemcitabine and Cisplatin chemotherapy. Conservative treatment and delaying radical cystectomy would greatly benefit patients’ quality of life; it is undoubtedly the future of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC.