Cretostimogene Promising for High-Risk, Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

THURSDAY, Aug. 6, 2026 (HealthDay News) — For patients with high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, the oncolytic immunotherapy cretostimogene grenadenorepvec shows a clinically meaningful antitumor response, according to a study published in the August issue of The Lancet Oncology.

Mark D. Tyson II, M.D., M.P.H., from the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, and colleagues examined the response and safety/tolerability of cretostimogene in patients with high-risk, bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. A total of 165 patients were assessed for eligibility between Oct. 9, 2020, and Aug. 3, 2023; 115 were enrolled in the study and 112 received intravesical cretostimogene.

The researchers found that after a median follow-up of 25.8 months, complete response at any time was observed in 75 percent of 110 patients. At least one treatment-related adverse event occurred in 63 percent of 112 patients, with the most common being bladder spasm, pollakiuria, and micturition urgency (25, 22, and 21 percent of patients, respectively); no grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events and no treatment-related discontinuations or deaths occurred. Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in two patients (both grade 2).

“For patients, this isn”t just about treating cancer — it”s about preserving quality of life,” Tyson said in a statement. “Avoiding bladder removal can have a profound impact on daily living. Seeing patients remain cancer-free for years while keeping their bladder is exactly the outcome we”ve been hoping to achieve.”

Several authors disclosed ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including CG Oncology, which is developing cretostimogene and funded the study.

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