Skip to main content
Evolent Level 1 Medical Oncology

Pathways and Low-Value Regimens

Bladder Cancer (Urothelial Cancer)

Regimen Options
Last Updated: 11/06/2025 See Details
Evolent Pathways Febrile Neutropenic Risk Emetogenic Risk References
POST-OP LOW/MOD RISK - NON-INVASIVE
 

Any intra-vesicle

Not Applicable Not applicable
PERIOPERATIVE
 

durvalumab, gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by single agent durvalumab as adjuvant treatment following radical cystectomy

Intermediate High
STAGE III

Neoadjuvant

DD-MVAC (dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin)

High High
 

cisplatin and gemcitabine

Low High

Adjuvant

DD-MVAC (dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin)

High High
 

cisplatin and gemcitabine *post-surgery only, not with radiation*

Low High
ADVANCED/METASTATIC

Initial Therapy

cisplatin and gemcitabine

Low High
 

carboplatin and gemcitabine

Low Moderate
 

nivolumab, gemcitabine and cisplatin

Low High

Initial Therapy (for patients not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy)

gemcitabine

Low Low
 

pembrolizumab

Low Low

Maintenance

avelumab *if no progression following first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy*

Low Moderate

Subsequent Therapy

gemcitabine

Low Low
 

pembrolizumab *failed prior platinum based chemotherapy*

Low Low
 

gemcitabine and cisplatin

Low High
 

gemcitabine and carboplatin

Low High
 

paclitaxel

Low Low
 

docetaxel

Low Low
 

Best Supportive Care or Clinical Trial

Not Applicable Not applicable
POST-OP LOW/MOD RISK - NON-INVASIVE
Evolent Pathways

Any intra-vesicle

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
na
Emetogenic Risk
na
PERIOPERATIVE
Evolent Pathways

durvalumab, gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by single agent durvalumab as adjuvant treatment following radical cystectomy

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
intermediate
Emetogenic Risk
high
STAGE III

Neoadjuvant

Evolent Pathways

DD-MVAC (dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin)

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
high
Emetogenic Risk
high
Evolent Pathways

cisplatin and gemcitabine

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
high

Adjuvant

Evolent Pathways

DD-MVAC (dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin)

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
high
Emetogenic Risk
high
Evolent Pathways

cisplatin and gemcitabine *post-surgery only, not with radiation*

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
high
ADVANCED/METASTATIC

Initial Therapy

Evolent Pathways

cisplatin and gemcitabine

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
high
Evolent Pathways

carboplatin and gemcitabine

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
moderate
Evolent Pathways

nivolumab, gemcitabine and cisplatin

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
high

Initial Therapy (for patients not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy)

Evolent Pathways

gemcitabine

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
low

Maintenance

Evolent Pathways

avelumab *if no progression following first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy*

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
moderate

Subsequent Therapy

Evolent Pathways

pembrolizumab *failed prior platinum based chemotherapy*

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
low
Evolent Pathways

gemcitabine and cisplatin

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
high
Evolent Pathways

gemcitabine and carboplatin

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
high
Evolent Pathways

paclitaxel

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
low
Evolent Pathways

docetaxel

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
low
Emetogenic Risk
low
Evolent Pathways

Best Supportive Care or Clinical Trial

Febrile Neutropenic Risk
na
Emetogenic Risk
na
Regimen Alternative References
LOW VALUE REGIMENS (NON-PATHWAY) WITH SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVES

Neoadjuvant Therapy

** capecitabine **

Alternative: gemcitabine + cisplatin

Subsequent Therapy

** DD-MVAC with growth factor support **

Alternative: gemcitabine + cisplatin

LOW VALUE REGIMENS (NON-PATHWAY) WITH SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVES

Neoadjuvant Therapy

Regimen

** capecitabine **

Subsequent Therapy

Regimen

** DD-MVAC with growth factor support **