New vaccine combo aims to train immune system to fight bladder cancer

NCT ID NCT05843448

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

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing a new peptide vaccine (IO102-IO103) combined with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in 30 adults with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer that did not respond to or could not tolerate standard BCG therapy. The vaccine is designed to activate the body's T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells, while pembrolizumab helps remove brakes on the immune system. The main goal is to check safety and side effects, with a secondary goal of seeing if the cancer disappears completely.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

PD-L1/IDO peptide vaccine (IO102-IO103) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

What this could lead to

If this combination works, it could offer a new treatment option for people with bladder cancer that hasn't responded to standard therapy, potentially avoiding the need for bladder removal.

What could go wrong

This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 30 participants, so it's primarily testing safety. The vaccine may not work as hoped, and side effects from the immune-boosting drugs could be serious.

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.

bladder carcinoma in situ non-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••