Combining two drugs may tackle bladder cancer that resists standard therapy

NCT ID NCT04179162

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This trial investigates whether combining two drugs—BCG and gemcitabine—can safely and effectively treat a type of bladder cancer called non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) that has come back after previous BCG treatment. Participants receive BCG directly into the bladder once a week for several weeks, along with gemcitabine twice a week in four cycles. The study first tests different doses of gemcitabine to find the safest level, then measures how many people are cancer-free six months after starting treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guérin) and gemcitabine

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option for people whose bladder cancer has stopped responding to standard BCG therapy.

What could go wrong

This is an early-phase trial with a small number of participants, so the combination may not prove effective or may cause unexpected side effects.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hartford Healthcare (Data Collection)

    Hartford, Connecticut, 06102, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

    New York, New York, 10065, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Commack, New York, 11725, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)

    Harrison, New York, 10604, United States