Pembrolizumab and chemoradiation for treating muscle-invasive, non-metastatic bladder cancer

Pembrolizumab in combination with chemoradiation is currently in clinical development for muscle-invasive, non-metastatic bladder cancer in adults. Bladder cancer occurs when a tumour develops in the bladder lining and if the cancer grows into a deeper, muscular layer of the bladder; this is known as muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The most common symptom of the condition is blood in the urine, though other symptoms include urinating more often, having a sudden urge to urinate or having a burning sensation while urinating. Risk factors for developing bladder cancer include smoking and being exposed to industrial chemicals. Bladder cancer can take a long time to develop, so it is more common in older people. There are currently limited treatment options for people with muscle-invasive, non-metastatic bladder cancer.