Purpose of review: We review recent data on immunotherapies for bladder cancer and discuss strategies to maximize the antitumor effect of immunotherapy in solid tumors.
Recent findings: Anti-programmed death ligand 1 has shown promise in advanced bladder cancer. Clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination are underway. Here we review strategies for enhancing antitumor immunity using immunomodulating agents or combination treatments that may increase tumor response.
Summary: Combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with other treatment modalities may lead to the development of new treatment strategies in advanced bladder cancer; however, identifying predictive biomarkers is essential for appropriate patient selection.