AHN Urology Expands Bladder Cancer Treatment Options with Innovative INLEXZO™ Therapy

New treatment provides alternative to bladder removal for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who are unresponsive to traditional treatment methods

PITTSBURGH (June 16, 2026) - The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Department of Urology is pleased to offer INLEXZO™, a newly FDA-approved, long-acting intravesical drug delivery system for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). AHN is the first health system in western Pennsylvania to offer the innovative treatment.

NMIBC is an early form of bladder cancer that remains confined to the bladder lining. It is the most common type of bladder cancer, accounting for about 70 percent of newly diagnosed cases. Bladder cancer most commonly affects adults over age 50, is more frequently diagnosed in men and is the 10th leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

NMIBC is commonly treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), an immunotherapy designed to stimulate the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells within the bladder lining. For patients whose disease does not respond to BCG, the next step has often been bladder removal surgery - a major procedure that permanently changes how the body stores and eliminates urine and may require reconstructive or an external collection system.

"INLEXZO offers an additional approach for managing bladder cancer without immediately resorting to bladder removal," said Goutham Vemana, MD, chair of AHN Urology. "For patients who have exhausted other options, this provides a highly effective therapy that can help preserve quality of life while delivering strong clinical outcomes."

INLEXZO is a flexible, pretzel-shaped system placed in the bladder during an outpatient procedure that continuously releases chemotherapy over a 21-day period, with most patients completing eight cycles over six months.

"This sustained-release approach allows us to deliver the therapy more efficiently and consistently than traditional methods," said Dr. Vemana. "It's a meaningful improvement for both patients and providers."

Early data suggests INLEXZO demonstrated a complete response rate of approximately 82%, meaning most patients experienced no detectable signs of cancer following treatment.

INLEXZO is currently offered at multiple AHN urology sites, including Federal North, Natrona Heights and the AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion.

The AHN Department of Urology offers specialized centers that focus on common urological conditions affecting both men and women. The centers provide care for conditions such as prostate cancer, kidney and adrenal tumors, erectile dysfunction, infertility, urinary dysfunction and more.

To schedule an appointment with an AHN urologist, call (412) DOCTORS.

About Allegheny Health Network

Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org) is an integrated health care delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The network is composed of 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, an employed physician organization, home- and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. AHN provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, cardiovascular disease, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women's health, diabetes and more. AHN employs approximately 24,000 people, has more than 2,400 physicians on its medical staff, and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Media Contact:

Emily Mashore (412) 552-0402 [email protected]