Immunotherapy plus chemo shows promise for bladder cancer before surgery
NCT ID NCT02690558
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin) could shrink tumors more effectively before bladder cancer surgery. 39 people with muscle-invasive bladder cancer received the combination before having their bladder removed. The goal was to see if the cancer had shrunk or disappeared by the time of surgery.
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) plus gemcitabine and cisplatin
What this could lead to
If it works, this could lead to a more effective treatment approach for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, potentially reducing tumor size before surgery and improving long-term outcomes.
What could go wrong
This is a small, single-arm Phase 2 trial with only 39 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Adding immunotherapy to chemo can cause more side effects, and the long-term benefits are not yet proven.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
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North Carolina Cancer Hospital (UNC)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States