Bladder Cancer Research & Clinical Trials

The physicians and scientists at the University of Chicago Medicine continue to perform groundbreaking research on bladder cancer to improve treatments, survival rates and quality of life.

Our physicians partner with basic science researchers across the institution to better understand the molecular, genetic and biochemical make up of bladder cancer in order to discover new therapies that allow us to deliver personalize medicine to each individual patient.

Innovations in Bladder Cancer Research

Immunotherapy

As immunotherapy continues to show promise in cancer treatment, our team is among the leaders in investigating the use of patients' immune systems to shrink tumors and prolong survival for all stages of bladder cancer. We are assessing the use of novel immune checkpoint molecules to identify and attack cancer cells in the body.

For example, in a recent study, our experts discovered that anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy atezolizumab was effective for patients with advanced and metastatic bladder cancer. Immunotherapy research is allowing us to create a new treatment paradigm for bladder cancer at UChicago Medicine.

Cancer Genomics & Precision Medicine

By studying the biology of patients' tumors, genomic information and genetic abnormalities, our physician-scientists develop more targeted treatment plans by selecting drugs that will complement an individual's genome. Our research shows how certain genetic mutations can impact a patient's response to certain drugs, enabling novel treatment options for patients with metastatic bladder cancer that developed resistance to the other first-line treatments.

Personalized Treatment Planning

Our physicians continue to make advancements in personalized cancer therapy. Through our Center for Personalized Therapeutics, we are studying pharmacogenomics information to better understand how a patient's genetic variations correlate with how his/her body will respond to a certain medication.

Through projects like the 1200 Patients Project, we are using this genetic information identify the best medication for each patient to maximize effectiveness while reducing unwanted negative side effects. Advancements using a person's unique genetic makeup to deliver individualized drug therapy not only improve a patient's response to the medication, thereby improving their health, but can also prevent potentially fatal drug toxicities.

Leading-Edge Clinical Trials

As members of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC), an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer research center, our clinicians and researchers are pioneering new treatments for bladder cancer. By offering more clinical trials than any other institution in the Chicago area, we provide our patients with access to the most advanced therapies available.

Our physicians and researchers are working closely together to transform basic research into bedside care for our patients through clinical trials. Currently, the multidisciplinary bladder cancer team has numerous clinical trials in progress focused on:

• Implementing immunotherapy in patients with advanced malignancies
• Identifying new anti-cancer therapies
• Examining tumor biomarkers to predict patient response to drug therapy
• Testing how to incorporate radiation and drug therapy in the most effective manner
• Analyzing a patient's DNA to personalize treatment decisions

These clinical trials allow patients to benefit from novel therapies before they are widely available, putting them at the forefront of cancer care.