Could an arthritis drug boost bladder cancer chemo?

NCT ID NCT02885974

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Baylor College of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tested whether adding the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (Celebrex) to standard chemotherapy before bladder cancer surgery is safe and affects tumor genes. 22 people with muscle-invasive bladder cancer took part. The goal was to see how the treatment changed cancer cells, not to cure the disease.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: celecoxib (an anti-inflammatory drug) combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin (chemotherapy drugs)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a more effective pre-surgery treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, potentially improving outcomes.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small pilot study (22 people) focused on safety and gene expression, not on proving the treatment works. The added benefit of celecoxib is uncertain.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

infiltrating bladder urothelial carcinoma urinary bladder carcinoma Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BLADDER CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Baylor Clinic

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Harris Health System - Smith Clinic

Houston, Texas, 77054, United States

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