Tumor-informed ctDNA in Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer for Evaluation of Residual/Recurrent Disease - the TiMBER Trial

This study investigates the feasibility of the Labcorp Plasma Detect, which is an assay (test) that looks for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients who have muscle-invasive (MI) urothelial carcinoma (also known as MI bladder cancer, MIBC). During this study, tissue, blood and urine samples will also be analyzed to help the study team better understand this type of cancer and a patient's response to treatment.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Stage IIIA Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Stage II Bladder Cancer AJCC v8; Muscle Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Non-Interventional Study

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Evaluate the correspondence of cancer recurrence and ctDNA positivity.

OUTLINE: This is an observational study. Patients will undergo prospective sample collection of blood, tissue, and urine to assess levels of tumor DNA based on whole genome sequencing of their cancer. Their medical records will be reviewed on study to see whether levels of ctDNA correlate with disease response to treatment or recurrence.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Oregon
    • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97239
      • Recruiting
      • OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
      • Principal Investigator: Jen-Jane Liu
      • Contact: Jen-Jane Liu; Phone Number: 503-346-1500; Email: jenj@ohsu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with muscle invasive bladder urothelial cancer approved for either systemic NAT followed by RC or CRT.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ability to understand and willingness to provide written informed consent
• Age ≥ 18 yr at the time of consent. Eligibility is limited to adults since MIBC is not prevalent in persons under the age of 18 yr. Persons of all genders, gender identities, races, and ethnicity will be included

• New diagnosis of histologically confirmed muscle-invasive UC (TNM classification (UICC/AJCC 8th edition) of cT2-4aN0-2M0 at pathological examination and approved for either (1) systemic NAT followed by RC or (2) CRT

  • Plan for treatment of MIBC with curative intent with one of the three SOC treatments as listed above

    • Surgical resection, if planned, must include removal of the bladder and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection if not already included
    • Radiation therapy, if planned, must include transurethral resection of bladder tumor, followed by image guided radiotherapy plus sensitizing chemotherapy
• Representative FFPE tumor specimens from biopsy at diagnosis (including TURBT) in paraffin blocks (blocks preferred) or at least 10 unstained and 1 H&E slides. Biopsied tumor specimen quality must have been verified by local pathology review. Fine-needle aspiration, brushing, cell pellet from pleural effusion, and lavage samples are not acceptable. For core-needle biopsy specimens, at least three cores should be submitted for evaluation
• For participants who have partners of childbearing potential: Partner and/or participant must not be planning to conceive and must follow guidelines and recommendations per the SOC for their various therapeutic interventions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ongoing treatment with an approved or investigational anti-cancer therapy for a cancer that is distinct from UC. Hormone-replacement therapy or oral contraceptives are allowed. Ongoing systemic therapy for bladder cancer will not be exclusionary, but enrollment of this population will be limited
• Previous or concurrent cancer that is distinct from the cancer under investigation in primary site or histology, except treated cutaneous basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, low or intermediate risk prostate cancer under active surveillance, myeloproliferative disorders or indolent hematologic malignancies that do not require active systemic therapy, and small renal masses under active surveillance. Any cancer curatively treated >two years prior to the first treatment for bladder cancer is permitted

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Observational; Patients undergo blood, tissue, and urine sample collection and have their medical records reviewed on study.	Other: Non-Interventional Study; Non-interventional study; Other Names: Non-Interventional Observational Study; Noninterventional (Observational) Study

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Concordance between a recurrence and ctDNA status	Will assess the concordance between a recurrence (assigned using SOC methods) and ctDNA status post definitive treatment among participants who have demonstrated cancer recurrence. Concordance will be evaluated using a time-dependent C index and diagnostic accuracy will be reported with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV.	Up to study completion. Up to 5 years with the continuation of Years 4-5 study activities based on the results of the Year 3 interim review

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jen-Jane Liu, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 3, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 21, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Urogenital Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Male Urogenital Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urologic Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Diseases; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00028122 (Other Identifier: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute); NCI-2026-04082 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No