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NCT06356155 · University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Study of Neoadjuvant Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Cisplatin-eligible Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer

(NEPTUNE)

What this study is about

This trial is a multi-site, single-treatment group$1, phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab in cisplatin-eligible patients with high-grade localized/locally advanced cT1-4 N0-1 M0 upper tract urothelial cancer who are deemed eligible for curative-intent surgery (radical nephroureterectomy or distal ureterectomy) followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab.

View original scientific description

This trial is a multi-site, single-arm, phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab in cisplatin-eligible patients with high-grade localized/locally advanced cT1-4 N0-1 M0 upper tract urothelial cancer who are deemed eligible for curative-intent surgery (radical nephroureterectomy or distal ureterectomy) followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab.

Interventions

DRUG

Enfortumab vedotin

1.25 mg/kg IV

DRUG

Pembrolizumab

200 mg IV

Primary outcome measures

Efficacy of the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab as neoadjuvant therapy in patients based off pathological response

Time frame: up to 16 weeks post last neoadjuvant study drug (at time of surgery)

This trial will estimate the efficacy of combination enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab given as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with localized/locally advanced upper tract urothelial cancer (cT2-4 N0-1 M0) followed by definitive surgery. The historic pT0/Ta/Tis/T1 (termed 'response' herein) rate with definitive surgery alone for a comparable patient population (H0) is approximately 20%. This study targets an improvement of 20% in the response proportion to a target 40% response rate (H1) with the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab. Patients who are unable to undergo definitive surgery within 16 weeks from the last dose of neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be considered non-responders for the primary endpoint.

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 a diagnosis of high-grade upper tract (renal pelvis and/or ureter) urothelial carcinoma proven by biopsy or cytology within 60 days prior to registration with the following (cT1-4 N0-1 M0): a. Upper urinary tract mass on cross-sectional imaging or Tumor directly visualized during upper urinary tract endoscopy before referral to medical oncology. b. No regional lymph node metastasis or a single regional lymph node metastasis.
  • Patients must not have any component of small cell carcinoma. Other variant histologic types are permitted provided the predominant (≥50%) subtype is urothelial carcinoma.
  • Patients must be considered to be a candidate for definitive surgery (nephroureterectomy or distal ureterectomy) with curative intent by the treating urologist. Lymph node dissection is strongly encouraged but its scope and determination will be at the discretion of the treating urologist. Details of the surgery such as bladder cuff removal are left to the discretion of the treating urologist. Robotic or open approaches are allowed.
  • Patients must be eligible for cisplatin. Cisplatin eligibility is defined as meeting all of the following criteria: a. Creatinine clearance ≥ 45 mL/min calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation (using actual body weight) or measured by 24-hour urine collection. b. Absence of Grade ≥ 2 peripheral neuropathy. c. Absence of New York Heart Association Class III or higher heart failure.
  • Prior local endoscopic therapy for upper tract urothelial cancer is permitted if completed at least 6 months prior to the initiation of study treatment and if all toxicities from such therapy have improved to grade 1 or resolved.
  • Prior uro-oncologic history: a. History of or active non-invasive carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the bladder/urethra or upper tract is allowed. b. Patients may have received prior intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy such as BCG. c. Prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy or antibody-drug conjugate for bladder cancer or invasive contralateral upper tract cancer is allowed but must have been completed ≥ 1 year prior to study registration.
  • Patients must be age ≥ 18 on the date of registration.
  • ECOG Performance Status 0-1.
  • Criteria for patients with hepatitis B or C are listed below. Hepatitis B and C screening tests are not required unless there is a known history of HBV or HCV infection or as mandated by local healthy authority. Hepatitis B positive subjects • Participants who are HBsAg positive are eligible if they have received HBV antiviral therapy for at least 4 weeks and have undetectable HBV viral load prior to enrollment. • Participants should remain on anti-viral therapy throughout study intervention and follow local guidelines for HBV anti-viral therapy post completion of study intervention. Participants with history of HCV infection are eligible if HCV viral load is undetectable at screening. • Participants must have completed curative anti-viral therapy at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • Patients must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as defined in Table 1. Specimens must be collected within 14 business days prior to start of study enrollment.
  • Women and men of reproductive potential must agree to use an effective contraceptive method during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose of study drug. See Section 16.3, Appendix 3. Men must also refrain from donating sperm during this period.
  • Women of reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration and are not breastfeeding.
  • Patients must not have any other medical condition(s) that make(s) their participation in the study unadvisable in the opinion of the treating oncologist.
  • All patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study. The patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity who have a legally authorized representative or caregiver and/or family member available will also be considered eligible.

Exclusion criteria

  • Prior exposure to immune-mediated therapy, including but not limited to, other anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), anti-PD1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2 antibodies, and therapeutic anticancer vaccines.
  • Prior exposure to monomethyl auristatin E antibody-drug conjugates (MMAE ADC).
  • Patient is currently on or used immunosuppressive medication within 14 days prior to the first dose of pembrolizumab. The following are exceptions to this criterion: o Intranasal, inhaled, intra-auricular, topical steroids, or local steroid injections (e.g., intra-articular injection). o Use of chronic immunosuppressive agents at baseline at doses not to exceed more than prednisone 10 mg/day or equivalent. o Steroids as premedications for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan premedication).
  • Active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders requiring immunosuppressive therapy within 2 years prior to registration. Exceptions are well-controlled hyper/hypothyroidism, celiac disease controlled by diet alone, diabetes mellitus type 1, alopecia, psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus, vitiligo, or similar skin/mucosa conditions.
  • Evidence of metastasis (N2-3 or M1) on axial imaging at baseline.
  • History of invasive, node positive, or metastatic bladder cancer OR invasive contralateral upper tract cancer within 2 years prior to registration.
  • Enrolled in another interventional clinical trial at the time of registration.
  • Patient has another active malignancy, unless potentially curative treatment has been completed with no evidence of malignancy for 1 year. The time requirement does not apply to participants who underwent successful definitive resection of non-melanoma skin cancers, superficial bladder cancer (described above in inclusion criteria 6), in situ cervical cancer, other in situ cancers, or either clinically insignificant per the investigator (e.g., ≤Gleason 3+4) on surveillance or previously treated prostate cancer without rising PSA and no plan to treat. NOTE: Patients with prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial.
  • Patient has one kidney.
  • Patient is pregnant or lactating.
  • Has severe hypersensitivity (≥ Grade 3) to enfortumab vedotin, pembrolizumab, and/or any of its excipients.
  • Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed.
  • Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  • Has a history or current evidence of any condition or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  • Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
  • Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis).
  • Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
  • Has had an allogenic tissue (e.g., hematopoietic stem cell transplant HSCT)/solid organ transplant.
  • Has ongoing clinically significant toxicity (Grade 2 or higher with the exception of alopecia) associated with prior treatment.
  • Has known active keratitis or corneal ulcerations
  • Has any of the following: a. Moderate or severe liver dysfunction (does not meet hepatic function laboratory criteria outlined in Table 1). b. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus as deemed by Hemoglobin A1c of 8 or greater.

Where

  • Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Related conditions & keywords

Urothelial CarcinomaNeoadjuvant

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 Jul 16, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations

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1 of 32 participants interested
3% interest

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Study locations

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RECRUITING

Ann Arbor

Michigan

Location available
RECRUITING

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Location available

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What participation can include

  • Study-related care provided by the research team
  • Close monitoring by medical professionals
  • Possible compensation for time and travel*
  • The option to withdraw at any time
  • Contributing to medical research that may help future patients

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Typical next steps

  1. 1.Submit this form
  2. 2.Phone screening
  3. 3.In-person assessment if eligible
  4. 4.Begin participation

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Looking for Urothelial Carcinoma Treatment in Ann Arbor?

Join others in Michigan exploring innovative treatment options through clinical research

Urothelial Carcinoma Treatment Options in Ann Arbor, Michigan

If you're searching for Urothelial Carcinoma treatment in Ann Arbor, participating in a clinical research study may provide access to innovative approaches under expert medical supervision. This study is actively recruiting participants in Ann Arbor, Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Clinical trials offer participants the opportunity to receive cutting-edge treatments while contributing to medical research that may help future patients with Urothelial Carcinoma. All study-related care is provided at no cost to participants.

Local Sites
2 locations in Michigan
Now Enrolling
Up to 32 participants
Quick Start
Screening available now

Why Consider a Clinical Trial for Urothelial Carcinoma?

Potential Benefits

  • Access to new treatment approaches before public availability
  • Close monitoring by experienced medical professionals
  • Study-related care provided at no cost
  • Contribute to medical research for Urothelial Carcinoma

What to Expect

  • Initial screening to determine eligibility
  • Regular check-ups and monitoring visits
  • Possible compensation for time and travel
  • You can withdraw at any time

Frequently Asked Questions About This Urothelial Carcinoma Study

Important Clinical Trial Information

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial participation involves potential risks and benefits. Eligibility requirements apply and will be assessed during the screening process.

Study identifier: NCT06356155. For complete study details, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your medical care or participating in clinical research.