Clinical Research Directory

Testing the Addition of the Immunotherapy Drug, Pembrolizumab, to Radiation Therapy Compared to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment During Radiation Therapy for Bladder Cancer, PARRC Trial

This phase II trial compares the use of pembrolizumab and radiation therapy to chemotherapy with cisplatin, gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin-C and radiation therapy for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. 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. Chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin-C, 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. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Giving pembrolizumab with radiation may kill more tumor cells than chemotherapy with radiation therapy in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Study to Determine Possible Effects of Apalutamide, Compared to Placebo, on EGFR Expression in Patients With Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

This phase I trial evaluates the effects of apalutamide, compared to placebo, on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein expression in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Apalutamide is in a class of medications called androgen receptor inhibitors. It works by blocking the effects of androgen (a male reproductive hormone) to stop the growth and spread of tumor cells. Previous studies have suggested that expression of a protein called EGFR on tumor cells is related to bladder cancer disease progression. This trial may help doctors evaluate if apalutamide has any effect on EGFR expression in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.