๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-08-08

Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Pembrolizumab, to the Usual Intravesical Chemotherapy Treatment (Gemcitabine) for the Treatment of BCG-Unresponsive Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NCT04164082)

Phase II Trial of Intravesical Gemcitabine and MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) in the Treatment of Patients With BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

๐Ÿ”ต Active, Not Recruiting Phase2 ๐Ÿ’Š Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This phase II trial studies the effect of adding pembrolizumab to gemcitabine in treating patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer whose cancer does not respond to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment. Chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine, 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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the patient's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Adding pembrolizumab to gemcitabine may delay the return of BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer for longer period compared to gemcitabine alone.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center โ€” Birmingham, Alabama

Age range: 18 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (390 Sites)

Showing the first 25 of 390 sites.

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center โ€” Birmingham, Alabama
  • Anchorage Associates in Radiation Medicine โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Alaska Breast Care and Surgery LLC โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Alaska Oncology and Hematology LLC โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Alaska Women's Cancer Care โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Anchorage Oncology Centre โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Katmai Oncology Group โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Providence Alaska Medical Center โ€” Anchorage, Alaska
  • Fairbanks Memorial Hospital โ€” Fairbanks, Alaska
  • Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's โ€” Phoenix, Arizona
  • Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona โ€” Phoenix, Arizona
  • Mayo Clinic in Arizona โ€” Scottsdale, Arizona
  • Mercy Hospital Fort Smith โ€” Fort Smith, Arkansas
  • Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center/Disney Family Cancer Center โ€” Burbank, California
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center โ€” Los Angeles, California
  • University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center โ€” Sacramento, California
  • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Aurora โ€” Aurora, Colorado
  • The Medical Center of Aurora โ€” Aurora, Colorado
  • Boulder Community Foothills Hospital โ€” Boulder, Colorado
  • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Boulder โ€” Boulder, Colorado
  • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers - Centennial โ€” Centennial, Colorado
  • Cancer Center of Colorado at Sloan's Lake โ€” Denver, Colorado
  • National Jewish Health-Main Campus โ€” Denver, Colorado
  • The Women's Imaging Center โ€” Denver, Colorado

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—