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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Pembrolizumab and EV With Radiation Therapy for MIBC Patients (PEVRAD)

A Phase 2, Open-label, Multi-institutional Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Induction Therapy With MK-3475 and ASG-22CE Followed by Radiation Therapy With MK-3475 in Patients With MIBC Who Are Unfit for or Refuse Radical Cystectomy

Pembrolizumab and EV With Radiation Therapy for MIBC Patients (PEVRAD) (NCT05879653) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Bladder Cancer, sponsored by Kyoto University Hospital. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of induction therapy with MK-3475 and ASG-22CE and radiation therapy with MK-3475 in patients with cT2-4aN0M0 muscle invasive bladder cancer who are unfit for or refuse radical cystectomy.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Bladder Cancer and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 30 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Participants are eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria apply: 1. Male/female participants who are at least 18 years of age on the day of signing willing to sign a consent form and who have a first confirmed diagnosis of MIBC with predominant urothelial histology obtained via a diagnostic or maximal TURBT within 90 days prior to enrollment. Note: Participants with mixed histology are eligible provided the urothelial component is ≥50%. 2. Has clinically non-metastatic bladder cancer (N0M0) determined by imaging (CT of the chest and CTU/MRU of abdomen and pelvis), assessed by the site. 3. Male participants: A male participant must agree to use a contraception and not to donate sperm during the administration of MK-3475 and ASG-22CE and for at least 90 days after the last dose of MK-3475 and for 6 months after ASG-22CE. 4. Female participants: A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: 1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR 2. A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of MK3475 and for 6 months after ASG-22CE and RT. 5. The participant provides written willing to sign a consent form for the trial. 6. Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1. Evaluation of ECOG is to be performed within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention. 7. Demonstrates your organs (liver, kidneys, etc.) are working well enough based on blood tests. All screening laboratory tests should be performed within 10 days prior to the first dose of study intervention. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: Medical Conditions ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants are eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria apply: 1. Male/female participants who are at least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent and who have a first confirmed diagnosis of MIBC with predominant urothelial histology obtained via a diagnostic or maximal TURBT within 90 days prior to enrollment. Note: Participants with mixed histology are eligible provided the urothelial component is ≥50%. 2. Has clinically non-metastatic bladder cancer (N0M0) determined by imaging (CT of the chest and CTU/MRU of abdomen and pelvis), assessed by the site. 3. Male participants: A male participant must agree to use a contraception and not to donate sperm during the administration of MK-3475 and ASG-22CE and for at least 90 days after the last dose of MK-3475 and for 6 months after ASG-22CE. 4. Female participants: A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: 1. Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR 2. A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of MK3475 and for 6 months after ASG-22CE and RT. 5. The participant provides written informed consent for the trial. 6. Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1. Evaluation of ECOG is to be performed within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention. 7. Demonstrates adequate organ function. All screening laboratory tests should be performed within 10 days prior to the first dose of study intervention. Exclusion Criteria: Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: Medical Conditions 1. Has the presence of diffuse CIS (multiple foci \[4 or greater\] of CIS) throughout the bladder. 2. Has the presence of UC at any site outside of the urinary bladder in the previous 2 years except for Ta/T1/CIS of the upper tract if the patient has undergone a complete nephroureterectomy. 3. Has the presence of any small cell or neuroendocrine component in the tumor tissue sample. 4. Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active therapy within the past 3 years. Note: Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, superficial bladder cancer or other carcinoma in situ (eg, breast carcinoma, cervical cancer in situ) who have undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded. Participants with low-risk prostate cancer (T1-T2a, Gleason score ≤6, and PSA \<10 ng/mL) either treated with definitive intent any time before screening or untreated in active surveillance are not excluded. 5. Has limited bladder function with frequency of small amounts of urine (\< 30 mL), urinary incontinence, or requires self-catheterization or a permanent indwelling catheter. 6. Has a history of radiation therapy to the pelvic region for any reason. Prior/Concomitant Therapy 7. Has received prior pelvic/local radiation therapy or any antineoplastic treatment for MIBC. Note: Prior treatment for NMIBC with intravesical instillation therapy such as BCG or intravesical chemotherapy is permitted, but must be completed ≥28 days before the first dose of the trial drug. Prior systemic treatment received for treatment of NMIBC is not permitted. 8. Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, CTLA-4, OX-40, CD137). 9. Has received prior therapy with an ASG-22CE or other MMAE-containing ADCs. 10. Has received a live vaccine or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days before the first dose of study intervention. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. Note: please refer to Section 5.5 for information on COVID-19 vaccines Prior/Concurrent Clinical Study Experience 11. Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 3 months before the first dose of study intervention. Note: Participants who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks after the last dose of the previous investigational agent. Diagnostic Assessments 12. A WOCBP who has a positive urine pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to the first dose of study intervention (see Appendix 3). If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. 13. Has uncontrolled diabetes. Uncontrol diabetes is defined as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥8% or HbA1c 7% to \<8% with associated diabetes symptoms (polyuria or polydipsia) that are not otherwise explained. 14. Has ongoing sensory or motor neuropathy Grade 2 or higher. 15. Has active keratitis or corneal ulceration. Subjects with superficial punctate keratitis are allowed if the disorder is being adequately treated in the opinion of the investigator. 16. Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention or radiation-related toxicities requiring corticosteroids. Note: Two weeks or fewer of palliative radiotherapy for non-CNS disease, with a 1-week washout, is permitted. 17. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial drug. 18. Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to MK-3475, ASG-22CE and/or any of their excipients. 19. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years except replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid). 20. Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease. 21. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy. 22. Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The test should be performed within 28 days prior to the first dose of the trial drug. 23. Concurrent active Hepatitis B (defined as HBsAg positive and/or detectable HBV DNA) and Hepatitis C virus (defined as anti-HCV Ab positive and detectable HCV RNA) infection. The test should be performed within 28 days prior to the first dose of the trial drug. 24. Has not adequately recovered from major surgery or has ongoing surgical complications. 25. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality or other circumstance that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, such that it is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. 26. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial. 27. Pregnant or lactating, or female patients or male patients who wish to become pregnant from the time of screening to 120 days after the last dose of MK-3475 and 6 months after radiotherapy and the last dose of ASG-22CE, or their partners. 28. Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant. 29. Has a documented history of a cerebral vascular event (stroke or transient ischemic attack), unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or cardiac symptoms consistent with NYHA Class IV within 6 months prior to the first dose of the trial drug. 30. Or, if participation in this clinical trial is considered inappropriate according to the judgment of the investigator.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

MK-3475

During the induction phase, MK-3475 200 mg will be administered as four cycles of 3-weeks regimen, with ASG-22CE 1.25 mg/kg administered on Day 1 and Day 8 of each cycle. The treatment and maintenance phases will consist of 9 cycles of one course per 6 weeks, with MK-3475 400 mg administered on Day 1 of each course at Q6W.

DRUG

ASG-22CE

During the induction phase, four cycles of 3-weeks regimen are administered, with ASG-22CE 1.25 mg/kg administered on Day 1 and Day 8 of each cycle.

PROCEDURE

maximal TURBT

All participants who were not determined to have PD on imaging during the induction phase should have had a maximal TURBT performed at 13 (± 1week) weeks after the first dose of trial drug.

RADIATION

Radiation therapy

Radiotherapy will be initiated no later than 8 weeks after maximal TUR-BT. In this trial, a total dose of 56 Gy will be delivered using 2 Gy per dose. 40 Gy/20 fr (2 Gy/fr) to the small pelvis followed by 16 Gy /8 fr (2 Gy/fr) to the whole bladder 5 times a week for 5 consecutive days using Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT).

Locations (4)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital
Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan
University of Tsukuba Hospital
Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Kyoto University Hospital
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital
Osaka, Osaka, Japan

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05879653), the sponsor (Kyoto University Hospital), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT05879653 clinical trial studying?

This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of induction therapy with MK-3475 and ASG-22CE and radiation therapy with MK-3475 in patients with cT2-4aN0M0 muscle invasive bladder cancer who are unfit for or refuse radical cystectomy. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05879653?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT05879653?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT05879653. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05879653. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.