NCT07221942 · Fox Chase Cancer Center
Pembrolizumab Maintenance After Enfortumab Vedotin (EV)/Pembro Induction in Front-Line Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
(IMPROEV)
What this study is about
This is a single-treatment group$1, where both patients and doctors know the treatment given, non-randomly assigned Phase II trial evaluating the effectiveness of induction therapy with enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (P) for 18 weeks (6 cycles), followed by maintenance pembrolizumab in treatment-naïve patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).
View original scientific description
This is a single-arm, open-label, non-randomized Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy of induction therapy with enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (P) for 18 weeks (6 cycles), followed by maintenance pembrolizumab in treatment-naïve patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Approximately 97 patients will be enrolled. Induction consists of EV (1.25 mg/kg IV on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle; starting dose of 1 mg/kg allowed) and P (200 mg IV on Day 1 of each cycle). Radiographic assessments occur after 3 and 6 cycles. Patients achieving complete or partial response transition to maintenance P (400 mg IV every 6 weeks or 200 mg IV every 3 weeks) for up to 2 years. Dose modifications for EV are permitted per protocol; no dose adjustments for P. Treatment continues until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or completion of maintenance therapy. Patients will enter long-term or survival follow-up as applicable.
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
- Patients must have histologically and radiographically confirmed locally advanced, unresectable urothelial carcinoma.
- Patients should not have received prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease.
- Patients must have measurable disease, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension in accordance with RECIST criteria v1.1
- Patients may have received prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for localized disease and are eligible if they completed the treatment ≥12 months prior to initiating treatment on this clinical trial.
- ECOG performance status 0-2
- Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent and HIPAA consent document
- Archival tumor biospecimen (when available) must be procured for correlative evaluation. If tumor tissue is not available or accessible despite good faith efforts, patient may still be treated on study. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block(s) or at least 25 unbaked, unstained slides are required. Tissue samples taken from a metastatic lesion prior to the start of screening are acceptable.
- Normal organ and marrow function as defined below.
- Absolute neutrophil count \> 1,000/mm3 unless patient has constitutional neutropenia
- Platelets \> 100,000/µl
- Hemoglobin \> 8.0 g/dL
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \<2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or \<3.5 x ULN if liver metastases
- Creatinine Clearance \>20 ml/min
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who have received prior monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE)-based antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for urothelial cancer.
- Grade 2 or higher baseline sensory or motor neuropathy.
- Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c \>8%)
- Patients with uncontrolled and untreated central nervous system (CNS) metastases.
- Prior radiation to CNS metastases is permitted.
- Prior history of CNS disease that has responded to previous systemic therapy is permitted only if no recurrence.
- Patient should not have leptomeningeal disease
- CNS metastases have been clinically stable for at least 6 weeks prior to screening and baseline scans show no evidence of new or enlarged metastasis.
- If requiring steroid treatment for CNS metastases, the patient is on stable dose \< 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent for at least 2 weeks prior to starting treatment
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active untreated infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, symptomatic uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that, in the opinion of the investigator, would substantially impair the patient's ability to comply with study requirements. Efforts should be made to provide reasonable accommodations before determining exclusion based on social limitations.
- Subjects with a history of another invasive malignancy within 3 years before the first dose of study drug that cannot be watched and requires treatment, or any evidence of residual disease from a previously diagnosed malignancy that cannot be watched and requires treatment. Adjuvant hormonal therapy for breast cancer is allowed.
- Currently receiving systemic antimicrobial treatment for active infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal) at the time of first dose of enfortumab vedotin. Routine antimicrobial prophylaxis is permitted.
- Known HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with enfortumab vedotin.
- History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; organizing pneumonia, drug-induced pneumonitis, idiopathic pneumonitis, or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest CT scan.
- Prior allogeneic stem cell or solid organ transplant.
- Other underlying medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would impair the ability of the patient to receive or tolerate the planned treatment and follow-up; any known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperating with the requirements of the study.
- Patients with active tuberculosis.
- Pregnant or breast feeding
- History of autoimmune diseases. Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e., use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs).
- Patients with vitiligo or residual autoimmune hypothyroidism on stable doses of hormone replacement are permitted to enroll.
- Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on a stable dose of insulin are permitted to enroll.
- Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency) is not considered a form of systemic treatment and is allowed.
- On high dose steroids at the time of study enrollment, defined as \>10 mg prednisone (or bioequivalent), including steroids used for management of intracranial lesions. Inhaled or topical steroids are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease.
- Patients who received prior immunotherapy for mUC or for an alternative malignancy are eligible unless they developed an immune related adverse event while on therapy requiring cessation of therapy or use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs.
Where
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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 Feb 19, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations