Immunotherapy vs chemo: new hope for bladder cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT06770582

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 15 times

Summary

This phase II trial compares two treatments for high-grade T1 bladder cancer that hasn't spread. One group gets the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab plus radiation, while the other gets standard chemotherapy (cisplatin, gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, or mitomycin-C) plus radiation. The goal is to see which combo better prevents cancer from returning or spreading, and helps patients keep their bladder. The study plans to enroll 160 adults whose cancer would normally require bladder removal.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: pembrolizumab (immunotherapy drug)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a less toxic, more effective treatment option for high-grade bladder cancer, helping patients avoid bladder removal surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a phase II trial with only 160 participants, so results are preliminary. The immunotherapy may not be more effective than standard chemo, and could cause immune-related side effects.

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.

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.

NON-MUSCLE INVASIVE BLADDER UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA RECURRENT NON-MUSCLE INVASIVE BLADDER UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA STAGE I BLADDER CANCER AJCC V8

Contacts and locations

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Locations

AIS Cancer Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital
RECRUITING

Bakersfield, California, 93301, United States
Bon Secours Cancer Institute at Reynolds Crossing
RECRUITING

Richmond, Virginia, 23230, United States
Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center
RECRUITING

Mechanicsville, Virginia, 23116, United States
Bon Secours Saint Francis Medical Center
RECRUITING

Midlothian, Virginia, 23114, United States
Bon Secours Saint Mary's Hospital
RECRUITING

Richmond, Virginia, 23226, United States
Broadlawns Medical Center
RECRUITING

Des Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
Bronson Methodist Hospital
RECRUITING

Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States
CHU de Quebec-L'Hotel-Dieu de Quebec (HDQ)
RECRUITING

Québec, Quebec, G1R 2J6, Canada
Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur
RECRUITING

Decatur, Illinois, 62526, United States
Carle BroMenn Medical Center
RECRUITING

Normal, Illinois, 61761, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Carle Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States

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Carle Cancer Institute Normal
RECRUITING

Normal, Illinois, 61761, United States

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Carle Physician Group-Effingham
RECRUITING

Effingham, Illinois, 62401, United States

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Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston
RECRUITING

Mattoon, Illinois, 61938, United States

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Carle at The Riverfront
RECRUITING

Danville, Illinois, 61832, United States

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Central Vermont Medical Center/National Life Cancer Treatment
RECRUITING

Berlin Corners, Vermont, 05602, United States
Chelsea Hospital
RECRUITING

Chelsea, Michigan, 48118, United States
Christiana Care Health System-Concord Health Center
RECRUITING

Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, 19317, United States
Crossroads Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Effingham, Illinois, 62401, United States
Decatur Memorial Hospital
RECRUITING

Decatur, Illinois, 62526, United States
Doctors Hospital
RECRUITING

Columbus, Ohio, 43228, United States
Dublin Methodist Hospital
RECRUITING

Dublin, Ohio, 43016, United States
Duluth Clinic Ashland
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Ashland, Wisconsin, 54806, United States

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Emory Proton Therapy Center
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, United States
Emory University Hospital Midtown
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Essentia Health - Deer River Clinic
RECRUITING

Deer River, Minnesota, 56636, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Essentia Health Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Duluth, Minnesota, 55805, United States

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Essentia Health Hibbing Clinic
RECRUITING

Hibbing, Minnesota, 55746, United States
Essentia Health Saint Joseph's Medical Center
RECRUITING

Brainerd, Minnesota, 56401, United States

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Essentia Health Saint Mary's Medical Center
RECRUITING

Duluth, Minnesota, 55805, United States

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Essentia Health Sandstone
RECRUITING

Sandstone, Minnesota, 55072, United States

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Essentia Health Virginia Clinic
RECRUITING

Virginia, Minnesota, 55792, United States

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Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City
RECRUITING

Dickson City, Pennsylvania, 18519, United States

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Geisinger Medical Center
RECRUITING

Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States

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Geisinger Medical Oncology-Lewisburg
RECRUITING

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 17837, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Geisinger Wyoming Valley/Henry Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18711, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Grady Health System
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
Grant Medical Center
RECRUITING

Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States
HSHS Saint Elizabeth's Hospital
RECRUITING

O'Fallon, Illinois, 62269, United States
Helen F Graham Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States
Highlands Oncology Group
RECRUITING

Springdale, Arkansas, 72762, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Highlands Oncology Group - Fayetteville
RECRUITING

Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72703, United States

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Highlands Oncology Group - Rogers
RECRUITING

Rogers, Arkansas, 72758, United States

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Iowa Methodist Medical Center
RECRUITING

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States
Lake Regional Hospital
RECRUITING

Osage Beach, Missouri, 65065, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Los Angeles General Medical Center
RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates LLC
RECRUITING

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Marshfield Medical Center - Weston
RECRUITING

Weston, Wisconsin, 54476, United States

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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809, United States

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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center - Gonzales
RECRUITING

Gonzales, Louisiana, 70737, United States

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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center - Metairie
RECRUITING

Metairie, Louisiana, 70002, United States
Mary Greeley Medical Center
RECRUITING

Ames, Iowa, 50010, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
McFarland Clinic - Ames
RECRUITING

Ames, Iowa, 50010, United States
Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants PA
RECRUITING

Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge
RECRUITING

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen
RECRUITING

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
RECRUITING

New York, New York, 10065, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack
RECRUITING

Commack, New York, 11725, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth
RECRUITING

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau
RECRUITING

Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester
RECRUITING

Harrison, New York, 10604, United States
Mercy Cancer Center-West Lakes
RECRUITING

Clive, Iowa, 50325, United States
Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63141, United States
Mercy Hospital South
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63128, United States
Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines
RECRUITING

Des Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
Michigan Healthcare Professionals Pontiac
RECRUITING

Pontiac, Michigan, 48341, United States
Miller-Dwan Hospital
RECRUITING

Duluth, Minnesota, 55805, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Missouri Baptist Medical Center
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63131, United States
Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital
RECRUITING

Sullivan, Missouri, 63080, United States
Mount Sinai Medical Center
RECRUITING

Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, United States
Northwest Wisconsin Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Ashland, Wisconsin, 54806, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
RECRUITING

Mansfield, Ohio, 44903, United States
OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
RECRUITING

Marion, Ohio, 43302, United States
Parkland Health Center - Farmington
RECRUITING

Farmington, Missouri, 63640, United States
Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center
RECRUITING

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033-0850, United States
Riverside Methodist Hospital
RECRUITING

Columbus, Ohio, 43214, United States
Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Saint Francis Medical Center
RECRUITING

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 63703, United States
Sainte Genevieve County Memorial Hospital
RECRUITING

Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, 63670, United States
Sanford Broadway Medical Center
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Fargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States
Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Bemidji, Minnesota, 56601, United States
Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Fargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States
Shaw Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Edwards, Colorado, 81632, United States
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
RECRUITING

Springfield, Illinois, 62702, United States
Springfield Clinic
RECRUITING

Springfield, Illinois, 62702, United States
Springfield Memorial Hospital
RECRUITING

Springfield, Illinois, 62781, United States
The Iowa Clinic PC
RECRUITING

West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266, United States
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, H3H 2R9, Canada
Trinity Health Medical Center - Brighton
RECRUITING

Brighton, Michigan, 48114, United States
Trinity Health Medical Center - Canton
RECRUITING

Canton, Michigan, 48188, United States
Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor
RECRUITING

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States
Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital
RECRUITING

Pontiac, Michigan, 48341, United States
Trinity Health Saint Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital
RECRUITING

Livonia, Michigan, 48154, United States
UF Health Cancer Institute - Gainesville
RECRUITING

Gainesville, Florida, 32610, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Ankeny Clinic
RECRUITING

Ankeny, Iowa, 50023, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Des Moines Clinic
RECRUITING

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Laurel Clinic
RECRUITING

Des Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Waukee Clinic
RECRUITING

Waukee, Iowa, 50263, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - West Des Moines Clinic
RECRUITING

Clive, Iowa, 50325, United States
UI Healthcare Mission Cancer and Blood - Pella
RECRUITING

Pella, Iowa, 50219, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
UPMC Cancer Center - Monroeville
RECRUITING

Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 15146, United States
UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon
RECRUITING

Farrell, Pennsylvania, 16121, United States
UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Northwest
RECRUITING

Seneca, Pennsylvania, 16346, United States
UPMC Cancer Center-Washington
RECRUITING

Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301, United States
UPMC Cancer Centers - Arnold Palmer Pavilion
RECRUITING

Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 15601, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center - Monroeville
RECRUITING

Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 15146, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center - New Castle
RECRUITING

New Castle, Pennsylvania, 16105, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Erie
RECRUITING

Erie, Pennsylvania, 16505, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
UPMC Washington Hospital Radiation Oncology
RECRUITING

Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
UPMC-Magee Womens Hospital
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
UPMC-Passavant Hospital
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237, United States
UPMC-Saint Margaret
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15215, United States
UPMC-Shadyside Hospital
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States
USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Briarcliff
RECRUITING

Kansas City, Missouri, 64116, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit
RECRUITING

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 64064, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - North
RECRUITING

Kansas City, Missouri, 64154, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park
RECRUITING

Overland Park, Kansas, 66210, United States
University of Kansas Hospital-Indian Creek Campus
RECRUITING

Overland Park, Kansas, 66211, United States
University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Westwood, Kansas, 66205, United States
University of Michigan Health - Sparrow Lansing
RECRUITING

Lansing, Michigan, 48912, United States
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
RECRUITING

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
University of Vermont Medical Center
RECRUITING

Burlington, Vermont, 05401, United States
University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
RECRUITING

Burlington, Vermont, 05405, United States
University of Virginia Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••
VCU Community Memorial Health Center
RECRUITING

South Hill, Virginia, 23970, United States
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States
West Michigan Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States
West Virginia University Healthcare
RECRUITING

Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••

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