Small Phase-2 Trial Finds 85% of Bladder Cancer Patients Cancer-Free at One Year With Added Immunotherapy

A phase-two trial found that adding the immunotherapy drug durvalumab to chemotherapy and radiotherapy kept bladder cancer from returning in 46 of 54 patients after one year. The Institute of Cancer Research in London conducted the study, which enrolled patients with advanced or aggressive disease.

Previous research using only chemotherapy and radiotherapy achieved remission in 60 percent of cases.

The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago. The trial was supported by AstraZeneca and the University of Birmingham. Bladder cancer is the ninth most prevalent cancer globally, and patients with advanced forms typically undergo complete bladder removal, leaving them dependent on alternative methods to pass urine.

Professor Nick James, who leads prostate and bladder cancer research at the Institute of Cancer Research, said the addition of immunotherapy produced larger gains than earlier combinations. "Now, we've shown that with the addition of immunotherapy, the combination of treatments has an even bigger improvement in outcomes, fewer cancers come back," he stated.

He added that keeping the bladder allows patients to avoid major surgery and maintain daily function.

Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, said the results represent a significant step for patients with aggressive bladder cancer. "By adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we may be able to spare patients the physical and psychological burden of having their bladder removed entirely," he said.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said radical surgery can cause serious side effects and that larger trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Artist Tracey Emin, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer in 2020 and later had her bladder removed, described the practical difficulties of a urostomy bag in 2021. "Having a urostomy bag is quite a disadvantage for lots of reasons, and it's something that most people would want to keep a secret," she said. GB News reported the trial results.