BETHESDA, Md., May 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of an innovative, first-of-its-kind bladder cancer treatment, establishing a brand new class of therapy for the disease. Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, produced this new treatment, TECENTRIQ™ (atezolizumab), which allows the body's immune system to work more effectively to fight cancer. TECENTRIQ™ provides an alternative for patients with advanced bladder cancer for whom chemotherapy did not work, and represents a major advancement in the bladder cancer field. According to Jonathan Rosenberg, M.D., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and a member of BCAN's Scientific Advisory Board, "The clinical trial(s) that evaluated this treatment, showed this medicine shrank advanced bladder cancer tumors after failure of prior chemotherapy, and the majority of patients responding to treatment continued this response after nearly a year of follow-up.  This is an exciting development for bladder cancer patients with locally-advanced or metastatic disease."

"Although bladder cancer is the 5^th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, there has not been a medical advance in the treatment of this disease in nearly 30 years," according to Diane Zipursky Quale, co-Founder of BCAN.  "The FDA's approval of TECENTRIQ™ offers a much-needed treatment option for the bladder cancer community. We are grateful that the FDA moved swiftly to review and approve TECENTRIQ™ and are very thankful to those patients and families who participated in the clinical trials for this drug.  We are hopeful that there will be more new therapies approved for all stages of bladder cancer in the near future."

About the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network's (BCAN) mission is to increase public awareness about bladder cancer, advance bladder cancer research, and provide educational and support services for the bladder cancer community.

BCAN serves as the leading voice for bladder cancer in the U.S., providing resources to not only those diagnosed with the disease but their families, caregivers and the medical community united in support of people impacted by the disease. The organization is setting the agenda for bladder cancer by promoting and funding collaborative and cutting-edge research programs and providing critical patient support and education services. BCAN works collaboratively with the medical and research professionals dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bladder cancer, and empowers the patient community by allowing them to share experiences with others, and to participate in building awareness of the need for a cure. For more information go to www.bcan.org or call 1-888-901-BCAN(2226).

CONTACT: Andrea Maddox-Smith
         Phone: 301.215.9099
         Email: amsmith@bcan.org

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