World-first bladder cancer research takes next step

South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) researchers are building on the success of a world-first bladder cancer trial, with a new study providing further insight into how immunotherapy could be delivered directly to where it is needed.

In 2024, the SUBDUE -1 trial showed it was safe and feasible to inject the immunotherapy drug durvalumab directly into the bladder wall.

Now, the follow-on SUBDUE-3 study is investigating where the drug travels after injection and how much remains in the bladder compared with other areas of the body.

For the world-first study, durvalumab was specially radiolabelled, allowing researchers to track the drug using PET scans.

Early findings show a large amount of the drug remains in the bladder wall, with far less than expected travelling to other areas. Researchers also observed the drug travelling to regional lymph nodes.

SMHS Head of Urology Dickon Hayne said the findings could help researchers explore more targeted approaches to treatment.

“What we’ve found is that a large amount of the drug stays in the bladder wall, while far less than expected travels to other parts of the body. Importantly, we’ve also seen the drug travel to the regional lymph nodes.

“This suggests we may be able to use less drug while delivering a much higher dose directly to where it is needed. The longer-term goal is to explore whether this approach could provide more targeted treatment for bladder cancer while reducing side effects elsewhere in the body.”

For SMHS patient Trevor, joining SUBDUE-3 was another step in a bladder cancer journey that began four years ago.

After undergoing several treatments, including chemotherapy, Trevor received immunotherapy directly into his bladder as part of the study and underwent PET scans to help researchers track the drug.

Trevor experienced little pain or side effects during the study and praised the support he received from the Fiona Stanley Hospital team.

“Taking part in the trial has just been part of the process for me. I’ve had a positive experience at Fiona Stanley Hospital and found the care and support from the team even better than my experience in the private healthcare system. “Trevor said.

“Hopefully, by being involved, I can help others have a better quality of life in the future,”

While Trevor has a road to go on his treatment journey, he’s able to do the things he loves.

“When I’m not at the hospital I’m just relaxing, practicing my golf shots and riding my motorbike,” he said.

SUBDUE-3 is a collaborative investigator-initiated trial involving AstraZeneca, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and ANZUP, with funding provided by ANZUP and AstraZeneca.

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