Replacing invasive bladder cancer monitoring with urine tests

Replacing Invasive Cystoscopy With Urine Testing for Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Surveillance

Phase 2 Interventional White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center · NCT05796375

This study is testing if urine tests can replace some bladder cancer check-ups that usually require invasive procedures, to see if they can still keep patients safe while making their experience easier.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWhite River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center Federal
Locations9 sites (West Haven, Connecticut and 8 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05796375 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to improve bladder cancer surveillance by substituting some cystoscopy procedures with urine testing. The study involves 240 patients with early-stage bladder cancer who will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: frequent cystoscopy, Xpert urine test, or Bladder EpiCheck urine test. The primary outcome is to assess urinary quality of life shortly after surveillance procedures. The goal is to determine if urine tests can reduce the need for invasive cystoscopy while maintaining effective cancer monitoring.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a history of low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of total cystectomy, muscle-invasive bladder tumors, or those currently pregnant or lactating may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to less invasive monitoring for bladder cancer, improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using urine tests for bladder cancer monitoring, suggesting this approach may be viable.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18 years or older
2. History of low grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, defined as most recent pathology report showing any of the following:

   * multifocal low grade non-invasive urothelial carcinoma of any size
   * solitary low grade non-invasive urothelial carcinoma greater than 3cm in size
   * recurrent low grade non-invasive urothelial carcinoma
3. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
4. No evidence for recurrence at cystoscopy ≤6 months after most recent tumor resection
5. Ability to consent in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of total cystectomy of the bladder.
2. History of urinary diversion (e.g., neo-bladder, colon pouch, or ileal conduit).
3. History of muscle-invasive bladder tumor.
4. Pregnancy or lactation.
5. History of urothelial carcinoma of the ureter or renal pelvis status post endoscopic treatment or with evidence of recurrent upper tract disease (inclusion allowed if status post nephroureterectomy and recurrence free at time of inclusion)
6. Anatomic constraints making cystoscopy impossible (e.g., history of urethrectomy, obliterated urethra secondary to stricture).
7. Inability to provide a voided urine sample.

Where this trial is running

West Haven, Connecticut and 8 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Non-muscle-invasive Bladder CancerBladderCancerUrologyCystoscopyXpertEpiCheckUrine test
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.