New Reference: Periop Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab for Bladder Cancer

Perioperative enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab significantly improved event-free and overall survival compared to surgery alone in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients ineligible for cisplatin. The treatment also led to a higher rate of pathological complete response. Adverse events were more frequent with the drug combination, though the safety profile was consistent with expectations.

  • Study

    Phase 3, open-label, randomized trial [KEYNOTE-905/EV-303]
    Muscle-invasive bladder cancer ineligible for cisplatin
    Enfortumab vedotin+pembrolizumab (n=170) vs surgery alone (n=174).



  • Efficacy

    pCR: 57.1% vs 8.6% (periop therapy vs. surgery alone)
    2-yr EFS: 74.7% vs 39.4% (HR 0.40 [0.28-0.57])
    2-yr OS: 79.7% vs 63.1% (HR 0.50 [0.33-0.74])



  • Safety

    Grade >=3 AEs: 71.3% vs 45.9%.
    Serious AEs: 58.1% vs 40.9%.
    Deaths related to AEs: 7.8% vs 5.7%.


  • N Engl J Med. Published online February 18, 2026

    Vulsteke C, Adra N, Danchaivijitr P Perioperative Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Bladder Cancer

    http://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2511674

    Reviewed by Ulas D. Bayraktar, MD on Mar 12, 2026

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