UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Brings Access to New BRACE Clinical Trial for People with Bladder Cancer in Croatia and the Surrounding Region
FOR PEOPLE WHOSE BCG THERAPY HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL
20 July 2026
Zabok, Croatia – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Croatia is now enrolling participants in the international, multicenter BRACE clinical trial, offering access to an investigational treatment approach for people with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS).
On average, three people in Croatia are diagnosed with bladder cancer every day, and the country's survival rate is among the lowest in the European Union. The most common and often the only early symptom is blood in the urine, even if it occurs only occasionally. Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Croatia, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among men and the seventh most common overall. More than 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and approximately 500 people die from the disease annually. Smoking is responsible for about half of all bladder cancer cases, and the median age at diagnosis is 71 years.
For patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, radical cystectomy (surgical removal of the bladder) is currently the only standard treatment option. The BRACE clinical trial is evaluating whether radiotherapy may provide an effective alternative for patients whose disease persists despite BCG therapy.
The BRACE clinical trial may be particularly important for patients who are not candidates for bladder removal surgery or who wish to consider a less invasive, bladder-preserving treatment approach.
“Quality of life is one of the key factors in selecting the most appropriate treatment for our patients. For some patients, bladder removal surgery is not the only option. The BRACE clinical trial is evaluating the effectiveness of radiotherapy as an alternative treatment for patients who have limited therapeutic options following BCG therapy,” said Marko Bebek, MD, Medical Director at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Croatia and a specialist in medical oncology and radiation oncology.
“We are grateful for the trust our patients place in our team," added Dr. Bebek. "Our goal is to identify the most appropriate and personalized treatment approach for each individual, while connectingpeople in Croatia with access to the latest advances in cancer care.”
By participating in international clinical trials such as BRACE, eligible patients can gain access to an innovative clinical study without the need to travel abroad for treatment. As part of a global research initiative, the BRACE clinical trial reflects UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's ongoing commitment to advancing cancer care through clinical research and expanding access to innovative therapies in Croatia and the wider region. Earlier this year, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia and the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) announced public reimbursement for selected diagnostic and treatment services provided at UPMC Hillman in Croatia, helping expand access to innovative cancer care for patients across the country. In addition, this year UPMC provided free conventional radiotherapy treatment at its Zabok center for Croatian war veterans from Krapina-Zagorje County.
Contact Us
Patients interested in learning more about the BRACE clinical trial are encouraged to contact UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Zabok at info@upmc.hr and submit their medical records for evaluation. The clinical team will review each case to determine eligibility and discuss the next steps.