NCT07087860 · Mayo Clinic
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange With Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Bladder Cancers
(RECIPE-B1)
What this study is about
This phase II trial compares therapeutic plasma exchange followed by enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab to the usual treatment next-line therapy for the treatment of patients with bladder or upper urinary tract cancers that have spread from where they first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) and that have not responded to previous treatment (refractory).
View original scientific description
This phase II trial compares therapeutic plasma exchange followed by enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab to standard of care next-line therapy for the treatment of patients with bladder or upper urinary tract cancers that have spread from where they first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) and that have not responded to previous treatment (refractory). TPE is a process that slowly removes a patient's blood through an intravenous or central line. The blood is sent through a machine that separates the plasma (the liquid part of blood) from other blood components (red cells, white cells, platelets). The plasma is then removed. The remaining blood components are combined with replacement fluid and returned to the patient's bloodstream through the intravenous or central line. Enfortumab vedotin is a monoclonal antibody, enfortumab, linked to an anticancer drug called vedotin. It works by helping the immune system to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Enfortumab attaches to a protein called nectin-4 on cancer cells in a targeted way and delivers vedotin to kill them. It is a type of antibody-drug conjugate. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Treatment with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of bladder cancer, but TPE is not. Combining TPE with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab may work better than standard of care options for treating metastatic and refractory bladder and urinary tract cancers. This study also evaluates the effect of TPE with standard of care antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in treating patients with refractory metastatic bladder cancer. ADC therapy is treatment with a monoclonal antibody linked to a chemotherapy drug. It is a form of targeted therapy because it attaches to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of tumor cells, and delivers chemotherapy to kill them. Giving TPE with standard of care ADC therapy may be effective in treating patients with refractory metastatic bladder cancer.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Age ≥ 18 years
- GROPUS A and B (reCIPE-B1): Histologically proven urothelial carcinoma \[American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 2017\] of the bladder (BCa) or upper urothelial tract (UTUC), that has progressed despite enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab treatment
- NOTE: Primary or secondary progression are allowed, therapies are not required to be concurrent or immediately antecedent to enrollment)
- COHORT C (CAKE ReCIPE): Histologically proven urothelial carcinoma (AJCC 2017) of the bladder (BCa) or upper urothelial tract (UTUC), that has progressed despite ADC AND is otherwise not a candidate for Groups A and B
- NOTE: Patients in Groups A and B who have progressed on that treatment are candidates for this cohort. Such patients must be re-consented and re- enrolled
- Measurable disease per RECIST version (v)1.1
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status grade 0, 1, or 2
- Hemoglobin \> 7.0 g/dL (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to registration)
- Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3 (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to registration)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) OR aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 3.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) OR total bilirubin ≤ 3 x ULN OR direct bilirubin ≤ 3 x ULN (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to registration)
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 15 ml/min (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to registration)
- Negative pregnancy test ≤ 8 days prior to registration, for persons of childbearing potential only
- Provide written informed consent
- Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance
- Willingness to undergo treatment as assigned (group A: TPE + EV/pembro; OR group B: next line standard of care; OR Cohort C TPE + ADC)
- Willingness to provide mandatory blood and fluid specimens for correlative research
- Willingness to provide tissue specimens for correlative research
- Willing to return to enrolling institution for follow-up (during the active monitoring phase of the study)
Exclusion criteria
- Any of the following because this study involves an investigational agent, the genotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects of which on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown
- Pregnant persons
- Nursing persons
- Persons of childbearing potential or able to father a child who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
- Any of the following histologic variants/divergent differentiation: Any amount of neuroendocrine or signet ring cell features
- Active malignancies (i.e., progressing or requiring treatment change ≤ 24 months before registration) other than the disease being treated under study
- EXCEPTIONS:
- Skin cancer (melanoma or non-melanoma) that is considered completely cured
- Non-invasive cervical cancer that is considered completely cured
- Breast cancer: adequately treated lobular carcinoma in situ or ductal carcinoma in situ considered to have a very low risk of recurrence
- Localized prostate cancer (T1c/T2N0M0):
- Gleason score 6, treated by either surgery or ablation ≤ 24 months prior to registration or untreated and under active surveillance
- Gleason score 3+4 that has been treated (may include surgery or ablation) ≤ 24 months prior to registration and considered to have a very low risk of recurrence (i.e., cT1c or pT2 on prostatectomy specimen)
- History of uncontrolled cardiovascular disease including any of the following ≤ 6 months prior to registration:
- Significant cardiovascular disease \[New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ III\], symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, Torsades de Pointes, cerebrovascular accident, or transient ischemic attack
- Psychiatric illness/social situations (e.g., substance abuse) that would limit compliance with study requirements
- Any condition for which, in the opinion of the investigator, participation would not be in the best interest of the participants (e.g., compromise the well-being) or that could prevent, limit, or confound the protocol-specified assessments
Where
- Rochester, Minnesota
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 8, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations