Pembrolizumab and Combination Chemotherapy Before Surgery for the Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bl… (NCT04383743) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Pembrolizumab and Combination Chemotherapy Before Surgery for the Treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
United States17 participantsStarted 2020-11-24
Plain-language summary
This pilot study is evaluating how well pembrolizumab and combination chemotherapy before surgery work for the treatment of specific types of muscle-invasive bladder cancer that have unusual appearance (variants). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving pembrolizumab and combination chemotherapy before surgery may work better in treating patients with these muscle invasive bladder cancer variants compared to chemotherapy alone.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Participants must have histologically confirmed diagnosis of muscle invasive bladder cancer (cT2-T4a, N0-N1, M0 clinical stage per American Joint Commission on Cancer \[AJCC\]). Clinical node-positive (N1) patients are eligible provided the lymph nodes (LNs) are confined to the true pelvis and are within the planned surgical LN dissection template
* Histology must be either pure or predominant non-urothelial histology (noted on any TURBT)
* Participants must be deemed eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) by urologist and medical oncologist
* Patients must agree to undergo curative intent surgery
* TURBT that showed muscularis propria invasion should be within 12 weeks prior to beginning study therapy. Patients must have available tumor tissue from either initial or repeat TURBT, prior to starting study therapy. Archival tumor tissue sample of a tumor lesion (TURBT specimen) should be provided and must contain muscle invasive component, at least \>= T2 tumor. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks are preferred to slides. If submitting unstained cut slides, newly cut slides should be submitted to the testing laboratory, preferably within 14 days from the date slides are cut if possible. Patient must be willing to provide tumor tissue for research. Research samples will not be used for any studies unrelated to this trial
* Must have clinical non-metastatic bladder cancer…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pathologic Complete Response Rate
Timeframe: At time of radical cystectomy at approximately within 10 weeks of last neoadjuvant infusion