Multimodal Kidney-Sparing Strategy for High-Risk Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
China36 participantsStarted 2026-04-01
Plain-language summary
UTUC is a cancer that develops in the lining of the kidney or ureter. The standard treatment is radical nephroureterectomy, which removes the kidney and ureter. Although this surgery can control the cancer, it permanently reduces kidney function.
Endoscopic treatment can serve as a kidney-sparing approach for low-risk UTUC; however, in high-risk patients, the high rate of upper tract local recurrence after endoscopic treatment remains the primary failure pattern. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy-involved kidney-sparing treatment for UTUC.
The main questions this study aims to answer are: Can this multimodal kidney-sparing strategy reduce local recurrence of UTUC compared with endoscopic treatment alone? Participants in the kidney-sparing group will: Undergo endoscopic surgery to remove the tumor; Receive systemic therapy with disitamab vedotin and toripalimab; Receive targeted radiotherapy after surgery.
Participants will undergo regular follow-up visits, including imaging examinations and endoscopic evaluations, to monitor for recurrence or disease progression.
The results of this study may help determine whether a multimodal kidney-sparing treatment strategy could become a safe and effective option for selected patients with high-risk UTUC.
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 meet all of the following criteria:
Age 18 years or older Voluntary participation with written informed consent Pathology indicating upper tract urothelial carcinoma with HER2 at least 1+ expression Clinical stage cT1-T2N0M0 based on imaging evaluation Classified as high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma according to European Association of Urology (EAU) criteria Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 Adequate renal function with split renal function of the affected kidney ≥10 mL/min on renal dynamic scintigraphy Expected life expectancy greater than 24 months Ability and willingness to comply with study procedures and follow-up schedule Exclusion Criteria
Participants will be excluded if any of the following conditions are present:
Inability to tolerate or refusal of kidney-sparing treatment Evidence of advanced disease (≥T3), lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis Synchronous bladder urothelial carcinoma or other urological malignancies Previous systemic anticancer therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or antibody-drug conjugates Prior radiotherapy involving the urinary tract or retroperitoneal region Severe uncontrolled comorbidities such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, psychiatric, or systemic diseases Active severe infections requiring systemic antimicrobial therapy Known immune-related disorders requiring long-term immunosuppressive treatment Pregnancy or…
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.