Research and clinical trials
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for bladder cancer in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of bladder cancer research.
All cancer treatments have to be fully researched before everyone can use them. This is so we can be sure that:
they work
they work better than the treatments already available
they are safe
Researchers want to improve ways of diagnosing bladder cancer. And to help diagnose bladder cancer earlier.
Doctors normally look directly into the bladder to diagnose bladder cancer (cystoscopy). They would prefer a less invasive test than a cystoscopy. Researchers are developing urine tests that may help:
diagnose a new bladder cancer
look for cancer that has come back
screen for bladder cancer in people who don’t have symptoms
Researchers are also looking at tests to monitor patients and help improve the care and treatment of other people in the future. A biomarker is a substance in the body that can be measured.
The best way to diagnose bladder cancers accurately is still cystoscopy and . But some doctors are very hopeful that they may be able to use urine tests in the future. This would mean that people who have had bladder cancer may not have to keep having cystoscopies.
Find a clinical trial looking at diagnosing bladder cancer
Researchers are looking at ways to improve . Research includes:
using a detailed instead of a TURBT to help diagnose some bladder cancers
using biomarkers to see any changes in the body before and after bladder cancer surgery
Read more about having surgery for bladder cancer
Researchers are looking at how they plan . They want to target your bladder cancer more accurately. They want to give the highest dose of radiotherapy possible to the cancer. And get less healthy tissue in the treatment area. This could mean you have fewer side effects.
You might have radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy (). Researchers are looking at combining chemoradiotherapy with . They want to find out if this makes the treatment work better.
Read more about having radiotherapy for bladder cancer
Past trials found which drugs work well for bladder cancer. And when to give them. Current trials are looking more closely at:
adding chemotherapy to BCG for non muscle invasive bladder cancer
different chemotherapy drugs, such as cabazitaxel
combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy for advanced (metastatic) bladder cancer
Read more about having chemotherapy for bladder cancer
Targeted cancer drugs work by ‘targeting’ those differences that help a cancer to grow and survive. Some seek out and destroy cancer cells. Others help the body's to attack the cancer. So some of these drugs are also called immunotherapies.
Read more about targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy
Researchers are looking at targeted drugs and immunotherapy:
combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or BCG treatment
for non muscle invasive bladder cancer
before and after surgery for muscle invasive bladder cancer
for advanced (metastatic) bladder cancer
There are many clinical trials looking at different targeted and immunotherapy drugs, including:
pembrolizumab
nivolumab
cabozantinib
rucaparib
enzalutamide
atezolizumab
durvalumab
erdafitinib
cetrelimab
avelumab
Researchers are looking to see if gut bacteria (the ) affects how well treatment works for certain cancers that start in the , including the bladder. They will analyse poo samples to see if the gut microbiome can predict how well the treatment will work.
Researchers are looking at in detail to try to match people to treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer. They will look at tissue samples to helps them to find out more about the make up of each person’s bladder cancer. They hope this will help doctors decide the best treatment for everyone based on the genetic make up of their cancer.
Find a clinical trial looking at treatment
Some research is being done into after bladder cancer. Researchers hope to find out more about how a diagnosis of bladder cancer and living with bladder cancer affects quality of life.
Last reviewed: 29 Sept 2025
Next review due: 29 Sept 2028
If you see a trial on our database that you are interested in, you will usually need to discuss it with your own doctor or cancer specialist.
Coping with bladder cancer can be difficult. There are things you can do to help, and people who can support you practically and emotionally.
You usually start by seeing your GP and they might refer you to a specialist and organise tests. Find out more about tests and screening for bladder cancer.
Your treatment options depend on the stage, type and grade of your bladder cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Bladder cancer is cancer that starts in the lining of the bladder. The bladder is part of the urinary system, which filters waste products out of your blood and makes urine. Find out about the symptoms, how you are diagnosed, treatment, living with bladder cancer and follow up.
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