In a groundbreaking clinical trial by Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London, researchers have discovered that a novel drug combination can significantly extend the lives of patients with advanced bladder cancer.
This trial could mark a significant shift in the treatment of a disease where survival rates have remained unchanged for decades.
Doubling Survival Rates
Patients with bladder cancer that has spread, also known as metastatic bladder cancer, typically have a grim prognosis, with average survival being about one year.
The standard treatment—chemotherapy—has been unchanged for over 40 years. The clinical trial, named EV302, included nearly 900 participants and tested a combination of two drugs:
enfortumab vedotin, an antibody drug conjugate, and pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug.
The results were impressive. The new treatment regimen not only stopped the disease from progressing but also helped patients live twice as long as those who received only chemotherapy.
Participants who received the combination therapy lived an average of 31.5 months compared to just 16 months for those on chemotherapy.
Moreover, the study indicated a 53% reduction in the risk of death for patients treated with the drug duo. Patients also benefited from better disease control rates, and side effects were comparable to those experienced with traditional chemotherapy treatments.
A Leap Forward in Bladder Cancer Treatment
Professor Tom Powles, a leading figure in urology cancer at Queen Mary University of London and director of Barts Cancer Center, spearheaded the trial.
He shared his enthusiasm about the results, indicating that the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab marks a significant and long-awaited advancement in the fight against bladder cancer.
The human impact of this trial was exemplified by Paul Goodfellow’s story. Diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer in late 2019, Paul underwent chemotherapy and major surgery, including the removal of his bladder.
Despite initial success, his cancer returned, spreading further. With limited options and facing the prospect of short-term chemotherapy, Paul was introduced to the EV302 trial.
After 22 months on the trial, Paul experienced an 80% response rate to the treatment after just three cycles. His cancer has not disappeared, but its progression has halted.
This trial has given Paul precious time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures with his family, reaffirming the profound effect that innovative treatments can have on individual lives.
A New Era of Treatment
The findings from the trial, presented at the prestigious European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference, signal a new era of hope for bladder cancer patients.
This trial paves the way for treatments that could transform survival expectations and quality of life for those facing advanced bladder cancer.
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