@Article{or.2024.057278,
AUTHOR = {MICHELE MAFFEZZOLI, GIULIA CLAIRE GIUDICE, GIACOMO IOVANE, MARTINA MANINI, ELENA RAPACCHI, GIUSEPPE CARUSO, NICOLA SIMONI, STEFANIA FERRETTI, STEFANO PULIATTI, DAVIDE CAMPOBASSO, SEBASTIANO BUTI},
TITLE = {The effect of concomitant drugs on oncological outcomes in patients treated with immunotherapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a narrative review},
JOURNAL = {Oncology Research},
VOLUME = {33},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {4},
PAGES = {741--757},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/or/v33n4/60039},
ISSN = {1555-3906},
ABSTRACT = { <b>Background:</b> immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), significantly improving survival outcomes. However, a subset of patients do not respond to ICIs, prompting research into potential predictive factors. Commonly prescribed medications such as corticosteroids, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), antibiotics (Abs), antihypertensives, and analgesics may influence ICI effectiveness.  <b>Methods:</b> we conducted a literature search on PubMed to investigate the impact of concomitant medications on the outcomes of patients with mUC, treated with ICIs. We selected the most relevant studies and performed a narrative review.  <b>Results:</b> corticosteroids, PPIs and Abs have been associated with reduced survival in ICI-treated patients, including those with mUC. In contrast, antihypertensive agents like renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and beta-blockers may enhance ICI efficacy, though evidence remains inconclusive. The impact of other medications, such as statins, metformin, and analgesics, on ICI outcomes is less clear, with some data suggesting a detrimental impact on immune response. <b>Conclusions:</b> this narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how concomitant medications affect outcomes in mUC patients treated with ICIs.},
DOI = {10.32604/or.2024.057278}
}