Dr. Iacovelli on Next Steps of the ARIES Trial in Urothelial Cancer

Roberto Iacovelli, MD, PhD, medical oncologist, the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, discusses the potential next steps of the phase 2 ARIES trial (NCT03891238) in urothelial cancer.

The ARIES trial evaluated first-line avelumab (Bavencio) in patients with metastatic and locally advanced urothelial cancer who were PD-L1 positive and unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Patients who are ineligible for cisplatin represent an important portion of patients with urotherlial cancer, Iacovelli says. Results from ARIES are in line with previous studies examining immune checkpoint inhibitors in this patient population and demonstrate that immunotherapy may potentially play a role for these patients, Iacovelli explains.

Though some patients received only a few cycles of treatment, fast progression was observed on therapy, so careful selection of patients must be conducted, Iacovelli continues, adding that PD-L1 expression is not a good factor for patient selection. Otherclinical characteristics that should be implemented to maximize efficacy for patients, Iacovelli concludes.