Immunotherapy Drug Significantly Improves Survival Rates in Bladder Cancer
A phase 3 clinical trial shows durvalumab reduces cancer recurrence risk by a third and increases two-year survival rates for patients with advanced bladder cancer.
- Durvalumab, an immunotherapy drug already used for lung cancer, was shown to reduce the risk of bladder cancer progression or recurrence by 32%.
- The two-year survival rate for patients receiving durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy was 82.2%, compared to 75.2% for those receiving standard treatment.
- The study included 1,063 patients with advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer and was conducted by researchers from the University of Sheffield and Queen Mary University of London.
- Experts described the findings as a 'major breakthrough,' with hopes that durvalumab will soon receive regulatory approval and become a new standard of care.
- Bladder cancer cases are projected to rise by 50% over the next two decades, underscoring the importance of advancing treatment options like durvalumab.
The Independent 
The Telegraph 