Testing the Addition of an Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy Drug, Avelumab, to Gemcitabine and Carboplatin Chemotherapy Prior to Surgery in Muscle Invasive Urinary Tract Cancer vs. Surgery Alone in Patients Who Are Not Able to Receive Cisplatin Therapy (SWOG GAP TRIAL)

Study Summary

This phase II trial studies the effect of avelumab, gemcitabine and carboplatin before surgery compared with surgery alone in treating patients with muscle invasive bladder or upper urinary tract cancer who are not able to receive cisplatin therapy. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as avelumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving avelumab together with gemcitabine and carboplatin before surgery may work better in lowering the chance of muscle invasive urinary tract cancer growing or spreading, in patients who cannot receive cisplatin therapy compared to surgery alone.

Primary Outcome

Compare pathologic complete response (pCR) between arms. pCR is defined as s absence of all disease in the surgical specimen from radical cystectomy, nephroureterectomy or ureterectomy as determined by the pathologist at the institution. This is determined by a biopsy taken at the time of surgery.

Interventions

• DRUG Carboplatin
• PROCEDURE Therapeutic Conventional Surgery
• DRUG Avelumab
• DRUG Gemcitabine Hydrochloride