Disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab: first-line urothelial cancerEven with low HER2 expression,
a new first-line combination may be an option.
When planning first-line treatment for advanced urothelial cancer, even HER2 IHC 1+ may match China's disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab regimen. Compared with platinum-based chemotherapy, the study observed longer disease control and survival. Nerve function, organ function and immune disease history must inform whether it suits you.
Free initial service consultation · Understand your options and budget before you travel
- Median overall survival
- 31.5 months versus 16.9 months
- Median progression-free survival
- 13.1 months versus 6.5 months
2025 publication; OS was an interim analysis. The comparator was platinum-based chemotherapy, not another ADC plus immunotherapy regimen. View the evidence
RC48-C016 OS was an interim analysis against platinum-based chemotherapy, not other ADC plus immunotherapy. Both drugs' prices come from Tungwah's publication on 2026-06-26, not current quotes or full treatment costs. View sources
HER2 1+ can also match a first-line combination pathway
HER2 3+ is not the only threshold: the first-line combination approved in China in April 2026 covers the relevant urothelial cancer with IHC 1+, 2+ and 3+.
Patients with low expression can also match treatment
IHC 1+ is within the approved scope, allowing these patients to discuss an ADC plus immunotherapy. Disease stage still needs confirmation; IHC 0 cannot be directly included.
Seek survival and tumour response benefits
In RC48-C016, the combination achieved better survival and response results than gemcitabine plus platinum chemotherapy. OS was an interim analysis and cannot rank other ADC combinations.
Budget for both drugs and treatment every two weeks
For fully self-funded foreign patients without Chinese health insurance or assistance, include both disitamab vedotin and toripalimab. Weight, prescription and whole-vial quantities determine each drug cost; infusions and monitoring are additional.
- Disitamab vedotin 60mg per vial
- RMB 3,416
- Toripalimab 80mg per vial
- RMB 812.88
- Combination quantities per administration and over treatment
- To be confirmed according to weight, dose and whole-vial requirements
- Infusions, pathology review and monitoring
- An itemised hospital quote is needed
Published by Tungwah on 2026-06-26; not an international patient quote. The study administered the combination every 2 weeks. A single-vial price is neither one treatment's cost nor the full-course price.
Finding treatment that fits you
starts with the reports you already have.
Clarifying your disease type and previous treatment helps establish whether this option could form part of a plan for you.
- Disease stageLocally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer; the study concerned patients without prior systemic treatment for that disease stage.
- Testing requirementsHER2 IHC 1+, 2+ or 3+; IHC 0 cannot be directly included in this approved pathway.
- Comprehensive assessmentAssess tolerance in light of neuropathy, blood counts, liver and kidney function and immune disease history.
Seek longer survival while addressing combination treatment risks
RC48-C016, published in NEJM, compared disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab with gemcitabine plus cisplatin or carboplatin and observed survival and tumour response benefits. Severe adverse events remained relatively common with the combination.
- Objective response rate
- 76.1% versus 50.2%
- Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events
- 55.1% versus 86.9%
- Randomised enrolment
- 484 patients
An ADC still carries a cytotoxic payload; this study provides no direct comparison with other ADC plus immunotherapy combinations.
You do not need to book flights first.
Clarify treatment and costs before you travel.
Tell us your diagnosis, previous treatments and main concerns. We help you communicate about Shanghai consultation requirements, budgets and travel arrangements.
- Submit urothelial cancer pathology and the complete HER2 IHC report to confirm the expression level
- Provide chest, abdominal and pelvic imaging and records of metastatic sites to establish the treatment setting
- Organise a timeline of surgery, perioperative and systemic medicines to confirm first-line eligibility
- Prepare liver and kidney tests, blood counts and records of symptoms such as numb hands or feet to assess tolerance
Start the first conversation with the records you already have.
You do not need to arrange new tests yourself for an initial consultation.
Get answers to the questions that matter to you
before you travel.
Costs, potential benefit and further treatment deserve specific answers before departure.
Can I use this regimen with only HER2 IHC 1+?
The approval and study include IHC 1+, as well as 2+ and 3+. First-line criteria for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer must be met. These findings cannot be transferred across cancer types or applied to IHC 0.
Without conventional chemotherapy, are side effects very mild?
No. ADCs still carry cytotoxic payloads. Risks include peripheral neuropathy, bone marrow suppression, immune-mediated pneumonitis and hepatitis. Worsening numbness, fever or breathlessness require prompt medical assessment.
How many visits are usually needed? Can I have just one treatment?
Continued assessment depends on response and tolerance; the study gave the combination every 2 weeks. Arrange repeated infusions, imaging reassessment and continuity after returning home. A single-vial price is neither the cost of one treatment nor a full course.
From your HER2 report to a practical first-line treatment plan.
Starting with your condition and budget, we help communicate about consultations and treatment arrangements in Shanghai.
The initial service consultation is free; the treating doctor assesses your specific medical plan.
Sources and image credits
Information is compiled from public approval documents, studies and prices and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Research and cost figures each have a defined scope; published prices are not personal international patient quotes. Costs are discussed on a self-funded basis without Chinese health insurance or free-drug assistance.
- RemeGen: first-line combination approval for HER2-expressing urothelial cancer · 2026-04-10
- NEJM: original phase III RC48-C016 study · 2025-10-19
- Dongguan Tungwah Hospital drug price publication (original official table) · 2026-06-26
- Peking University Cancer Hospital: Sheng Xinan research and specialty profile · Verified 2026-10-03
- RemeGen: early disitamab vedotin prescribing information (for toxicity review, not current indications) · Verified 2026-10-03