New Indication: Adjuvant Atezolizumab for ctDNA-Positive Bladder Cancer

In this phase 3 trial, ctDNA-guided adjuvant atezolizumab improved both disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer compared to placebo. Atezolizumab was associated with higher rates of grade 3 or 4 adverse events compared to placebo, although no new safety signals were identified.

  • Study

    Phase 3, double-blind, randomized trial [IMvigor011].
    Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and no radiographic evidence of disease post-cystectomy.
    Atezolizumab (n=167) vs Placebo (n=83) in ctDNA-positive patients.



  • Efficacy

    Median DFS: 9.9 mos (Atezolizumab) vs 4.8 mos (Placebo) (HR 0.64 [0.47-0.87])
    Median OS: 32.8 mos (Atezolizumab) vs 21.1 mos (Placebo) (HR 0.59 [0.39-0.90])



  • Safety

    Grade >=3 AEs: 28% vs 22% (Atezolizumab vs Placebo)
    Serious AEs: 27% vs 20%
    Treatment discontinuation due to AEs: 9% vs 4%


  • N Engl J Med. Published online 2025 Oct 20.

    Powles T, Kann AG, Castellano D New Indication: Adjuvant Atezolizumab for ctDNA-Positive Bladder Cancer

    http://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2511885

    Reviewed by Ulas D. Bayraktar, MD on Nov 14, 2025

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