Freeze and fight: new combo tackles metastatic bladder cancer

NCT ID NCT04701918

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed phase 2 trial tested a combination of cryoablation (freezing tumors with a needle) and immunotherapy drugs (pembrolizumab or avelumab) in 9 people with metastatic bladder cancer. The goal was to see if this approach could shrink tumors that were not frozen. The study measured how well the treatment worked and tracked side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or avelumab (Bavencio) plus cryoablation
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new combination treatment that helps control metastatic bladder cancer by freezing tumors and boosting the immune system.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase trial with only 9 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The combination may cause side effects or not improve outcomes.

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.

transitional cell carcinoma urinary bladder carcinoma Urinary Bladder Neoplasms urothelial carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BLADDER CANCER METASTATIC UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

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