Clinical trial Recruiting at 161 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Pembrolizumab plus sacituzumab govitecan versus standard treatments for advanced urothelial cancer

Official title: A Phase III Randomized Trial of Pembrolizumab in Combination With Sacituzumab Govitecan-hziy vs Standard of Care in Anti-PD(L)1-Resistant Advanced Urothelial Cancer

Run by National Cancer Institute (NCI) · NCT06524544 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will test whether adding sacituzumab govitecan to pembrolizumab works better than standard chemotherapy options for adults with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have progressed after prior therapy.

More Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment320 (estimated)
SponsorNational Cancer Institute (NCI)
NIH
Drugs / interventionsenfortumab, Sacituzumab, trastuzumab, prednisone, pembrolizumab, chemotherapy, Immunotherapy
Locations163 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 162 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 2, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2030
Study endsDecember 31, 2030
Registry record updatedNovember 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT06524544 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (≥18) with measurable, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, ECOG 0–2, documented conventional urothelial histology (≥1% urothelial component), prior progression after immediate prior anticancer therapy and prior anti–PD-(L)1 exposure are the intended participants.

Probably not a fit

Patients with pure non-urothelial histology, ECOG performance status >2, untreated disease, or who cannot tolerate the study drugs or required procedures are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized phase III trial comparing the combination of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab plus the antibody-drug conjugate sacituzumab govitecan against physician-choice standard chemotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Key outcomes include overall survival, progression-free survival, response rates, duration of response, and treatment toxicity, with planned collection of biospecimens and imaging per RECIST 1.1. Health-related quality of life will also be measured using bladder cancer–specific instruments at baseline and multiple follow-up time points. Eligible patients must have measurable disease, prior exposure to anti–PD-(L)1 therapy, and ECOG performance status 0–2.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could prolong survival and delay disease progression compared with standard chemotherapy for previously treated advanced urothelial cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Antibody-drug conjugates such as sacituzumab govitecan and PD-1 inhibitors have shown activity in urothelial cancer and early-phase combinations have been encouraging, but large randomized phase III confirmation of added benefit is still limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient must be ≥ 18 years of age
* Patient must have Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
* Patient must have locally advanced (unresectable and/or not amenable to curative intent therapy) or metastatic urothelial cancer
* Patient must have histologically (or based on urine cytology) proven conventional urothelial carcinoma (UC) of any urinary tract origin \[any histologic subtype except neuroendocrine (small or large cell)\] are permitted so long as tumors include ≥ 1% conventional urothelial histology). NOTE: Pure non-urothelial histology is excluded
* Patient must have measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria. Baseline imaging must be obtained ≤ 35 days prior to randomization
* Patient must have the following prior treatment(s). Patient must have had progression on or after the immediate prior anti-cancer therapy
* Patient must have had prior exposure to anti-PD(L)1 therapy \[anti -PD(L)1 monotherapy or as a combination regimen in any disease/therapy setting for UC\]. Patients must have received at least 1 dose of anti-PD(L)1 therapy

  * NOTE: Anti-PD(L)1 therapy does not need to be the most recent therapy received prior to enrollment on this protocol
  * NOTE: Patient must not have had progression within 12 weeks of starting their first anti-PD(L) 1 therapy, even if anti-PD-(L)1 treatment was given in more than one lines of therapy
* Patient must have had ≥ 1 line of systemic therapy given in the advanced/metastatic disease setting, except for patients who had received anti-PD(L)1 + enfortumab vedotin in the localized disease setting (e.g., neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant) and had cancer progression within 12 months from the last systemic therapy dose
* For tumors with known FGFR3+ susceptible alteration (for FGFR inhibitor), patients must have received a prior FGFR inhibitor unless contraindicated per physician discretion
* Patient must have received prior enfortumab vedotin or any other Nectin-4 directed therapy or other MMAE-containing therapy in any disease/therapy setting unless contraindicated per physician
* Patient must have had no prior exposure to Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy or other TROP-2 directed therapies or antibody-drug conjugate that contains topo-isomerase I inhibitor, e.g. trastuzumab deruxtecan
* Patient must have Bellmunt score of 0-2. The Bellmunt score assesses a patient's risk and is calculated based on ECOG PS, hemoglobin level and presence of liver metastases
* Patient must not have history of grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events on prior anti-PD1/L1, except for endocrinopathies on adequate hormone therapy repletion and/or clinically insignificant laboratory abnormalities
* Patient must have recovered (i.e., ≤ grade 1) from clinically significant AEs due to previously administered systemic therapy agent, except for endocrinopathies on adequate hormone therapy repletion

  * NOTE: Patients with ≤ grade 2 neuropathy, any grade of alopecia, or any grade of non-clinically significant laboratory abnormality are exceptions to this criterion and are allowed in this trial.
  * Examples of non-clinically significant laboratory abnormalities include, but are not limited to:

    * Lymphopenia or monopenia
    * Lymphocytosis or monocytosis
    * Increase in amylase or lipase with no clinical correlation
    * Any other abnormal laboratory findings that have no clinical relevance per the treating investigator.
  * NOTE: If patient has undergone major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to randomization
* Patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to randomization to rule out pregnancy. A patient of childbearing potential is defined as anyone, regardless of whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: 1) has achieved menarche at some point, 2) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 3) has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months). Patient must not nurse infants while on protocol treatment and for 4 months after the last dose of protocol treatment
* Patient must not expect to conceive or father children by using an accepted and effective method(s) of contraception or by abstaining from sexual intercourse for the duration of their participation in the study. Patients of childbearing potential must continue contraceptive method(s) or abstain for 6 months after the last dose of protocol treatment. Patients with partners who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during therapy and for 3 months after the last dose of protocol treatment
* Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity (IDMC) who have a legally authorized representative (LAR) or caregiver and/or family member available will also be considered eligible
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/uL (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization)
* Platelets ≥ 100,000/uL (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization)
* Albumin ≥ 3 g/dL (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization)
* Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase \[SGPT\]) ≤ 3 × institutional ULN or ≤ 5.0 x institutional ULN if known liver metastases (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization)
* Creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 30 mL/min (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization) NOTE: CrCl is estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula (or can be measured by 24-hour urine collection if needed)
* Hemoglobin (Hb) ≥ 8.5 g/dl (obtained ≤ 14 days prior to randomization)
* Patient must not have a known genetic UGT1A1 \*28/\*28 or \*6/\*6 homozygous variant genotype. Patients with homozygous variant types are considered poor metabolizers and are at higher risk for severe adverse events when compared to wild-type. Patients with heterozygous UGT1A1 variants (i.e. \*1/\*28 or \*1/\*6) are eligible and should be counseled accordingly and be very closely monitored if randomized to the sacituzumab govitecan arm

  * NOTE: If a patient's UGT1A1 status is unknown, they are eligible to enroll (the study does not require this test as part of screening)
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months of randomization are eligible
* For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated
* Patients with history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and considered cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load
* Patients with treated brain metastases are eligible if follow-up brain imaging after central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy shows no evidence of progression and are not using steroids \> 10 mg of prednisone (or equivalent) daily for brain metastases for at least 7 days prior to randomization
* Patients with prior or concurrent malignancy that is not considered clinically significant and whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen (at the discretion of the treating physician) are eligible
* Patient must not be on systemic immunosuppressive medication, including steroids (if doses exceed the equivalent of prednisone 10 mg daily). Short courses of steroids, e.g. "burst", which are discontinued prior to randomization are acceptable. Patients on inhaled, intranasal, intra-articular and/or topical steroids are eligible
* Patient must be English or Spanish speaking to be eligible for the HRQOL component of the study.

  * NOTE: Sites cannot translate the associated HRQOL forms

Where it's running

  • Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's
    Phoenix, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • UCI Health - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care
    Irvine, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • UF Health Cancer Institute - Gainesville
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Emory University Hospital Midtown
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Kootenai Health - Coeur d'Alene
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
    Recruiting
  • Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Post Falls
    Post Falls, Idaho, United States
    Recruiting
  • Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Sandpoint
    Sandpoint, Idaho, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Illinois
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Carle at The Riverfront
    Danville, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur
    Decatur, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Decatur Memorial Hospital
    Decatur, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Carle Physician Group-Effingham
    Effingham, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Crossroads Cancer Center
    Effingham, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston
    Mattoon, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Carle BroMenn Medical Center
    Normal, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Carle Cancer Institute Normal
    Normal, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cancer Care Center of O'Fallon
    O'Fallon, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • HSHS Saint Elizabeth's Hospital
    O'Fallon, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Memorial Hospital East
    Shiloh, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
    Springfield, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Springfield Clinic
    Springfield, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Springfield Memorial Hospital
    Springfield, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Carle Cancer Center
    Urbana, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mary Greeley Medical Center
    Ames, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • McFarland Clinic - Ames
    Ames, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mercy Hospital
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • Oncology Associates at Mercy Medical Center
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • McFarland Clinic - Trinity Cancer Center
    Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • McFarland Clinic - Marshalltown
    Marshalltown, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting
  • HaysMed
    Hays, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Cancer Center
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Lawrence Memorial Hospital
    Lawrence, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • The University of Kansas Cancer Center - Olathe
    Olathe, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park
    Overland Park, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Salina Regional Health Center
    Salina, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Health System Saint Francis Campus
    Topeka, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center
    Westwood, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • The James Graham Brown Cancer Center at University of Louisville
    Louisville, Kentucky, United States
    Recruiting
  • UofL Health Medical Center Northeast
    Louisville, Kentucky, United States
    Recruiting
  • Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates LLC
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center - Metairie
    Metairie, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus
    Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Brighton
    Brighton, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Canton
    Canton, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Chelsea Hospital
    Chelsea, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Michigan Health - Sparrow Lansing
    Lansing, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Trinity Health Saint Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital
    Livonia, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting

+113 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Monika Joshi — ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.