Experimental combo shows promise for Tough-to-Treat cancers

NCT ID NCT02717156

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: University of Southern California Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase II trial is testing a combination of two drugs—sEphB4-HSA and pembrolizumab (Keytruda)—in 70 people with advanced bladder or prostate cancers that have not responded to standard treatments. The goal is to see if the combo is safe and can shrink tumors. Participants receive the drugs intravenously and are monitored for side effects and response.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: sEphB4-HSA fusion protein and pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option for advanced bladder and prostate cancers that have not responded to standard therapies.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 70 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The combination may cause significant side effects and may not work better than existing treatments.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MUSCLE-INVASIVE UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bladder transitional cell carcinoma infiltrating bladder urothelial carcinoma prostate cancer transitional cell carcinoma urothelial carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PROSTATE CANCER STAGE IV BLADDER UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

City of Hope

Duarte, California, 91010, United States
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169, United States
LAC+USC Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
Levine Cancer Institute-Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28277, United States
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States
USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
USC Norris Oncology/Hematology - Newport Beach

Newport Beach, California, 92663, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center

Kansas City, Kansas, 66205, United States
University of Virginia Cancer Center

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.