Understanding treatment for older patients with advanced bladder cancer

Management of Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients With Metastatic Bladder Cancer and The Role of Geriatric Assessments

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · NCT06138561

This study is testing a new way to help older patients with advanced bladder cancer who can't take certain chemotherapy drugs by using a survey to see how well treatments work and how they affect their quality of life.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment180 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorDana-Farber Cancer Institute (other)
Drugs / interventionsenfortumab, pembrolizumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06138561 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to improve treatment strategies for older patients with metastatic bladder cancer who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Investigators will assess the effectiveness of the Geriatric-8 survey in predicting treatment outcomes and quality of life for these patients. The study will involve screening for eligibility and collecting patient-reported outcomes over a period of up to 8 months, with approximately 180 participants expected to enroll. The research is supported by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and EMD Serono.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 65 and older with unresectable or metastatic bladder cancer who are deemed cisplatin-ineligible.

Not a fit: Patients who choose not to undergo cancer-directed therapy or have advanced cognitive impairment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more tailored and effective treatment options for older patients with advanced bladder cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is focused on geriatric assessments in bladder cancer, similar studies have shown promise in improving treatment outcomes for older cancer patients.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥65-years-old (study will limit total enrollment of patients between ages 65-70 to 20% of the total study population)
* Unresectable or metastatic bladder cancer with histologically proven urothelial carcinoma. Any component of variant histology is allowed
* Cisplatin-ineligible as determined by the subject's primary oncologist
* Receiving treatment with chemotherapy (+/- immunotherapy maintenance), enfortumab vedotin-pembrolizumab combination therapy or immunotherapy alone
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document and to complete patient reported outcomes that will be in English or Spanish either alone or with assistance of study researcher or family

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects who elect to not undergo cancer-directed therapy
* Subjects obtaining their care outside of DFCI or DFCI affiliate sites
* Advanced cognitive impairment or inability to complete surveys
* Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents for this condition (if appropriate only).

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Bladder Cancer, Metastatic Bladder Cancer, Unresectable Bladder Carcinoma, Urothelial Carcinoma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.