Immunotherapy boosts chemo before bladder removal

This study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin) could shrink tumors more effectively before bladder removal surgery in people with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. 39 participants received the combination before surgery. The main goal was to see how many had their cancer stage reduced to below stage 2 at the time of surgery. Results showed promising tumor shrinkage, but ongoing monitoring is needed as the cancer may still return.