Ronald Chen, Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I recently spoke at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual conference. This is the largest oncology conference in the world, with over 44,000 attendees and 166 countries represented.
This conference is where groundbreaking science, innovation and connection meet. Where we share the latest clinical trial results and cancer advancements with the world.
I presented the quality of life results from the AMBASSADOR randomized trial.
For patients with high-risk urothelial (e.g. bladder, upper tract) cancers, AMBASSADOR showed that pembrolizumab after surgery (vs. observation after surgery) significantly reduced cancer recurrence. Quality of life for these patients is also important, and the AMBASSADOR did assess quality of life.
In the results that I presented, patients on the pembrolizumab arm of the trial reported more fatigue and shortness of breath, modest negative effects on physical function and ability to perform certain roles (like work, hobbies), but there was no impact on overall quality of life.
These results, together with the disease control results, provide an overall picture from the AMBASSADOR trial to help patients and physicians make the best treatment decision.
The finding of a modest impact of treatment on physical function and role function also may point to an opportunity for better supportive care for patients after treatment, such as physical therapy.
Thank you, ASCO, for having me! And thank you to all the other incredible presenters, experts and physicians who attended alongside me, helping to shape the future of cancer care. The continued research and progress against cancer is inspiring.”
AMBASSADOR at ASCO 2026: HRQOL with Pembrolizumab or observation After Surgery in High-Risk MIUC
