Category: 3. Business

Bladder cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide, affecting nearly 600,000 people each year (Sung et al., 2021). While survival statistics are often discussed, many patients ask a different question: “What is Bladder Cancer Remission Rate?”

Remission refers to the absence of detectable cancer after treatment. Depending on the stage and type of bladder cancer, remission may be long-lasting, temporary, or—especially for early non–muscle-invasive disease—followed by recurrence. Understanding these patterns helps patients know what to expect and prepare for follow-up care.

Read About Bladder Cancer on OncoDaily 

What Does Remission Mean in Bladder Cancer?

In oncology, remission is typically classified as:

• Complete remission (CR): No evidence of cancer on cystoscopy, imaging, or cytology.
• Partial remission: Significant tumor shrinkage but not complete disappearance.

Bladder cancer is unique because the bladder lining is prone to repeated tumor formation. Even after complete remission, recurrence rates can be high, especially in NMIBC. Because of this, remission is often discussed alongside recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival (Babjuk et al., 2022).

Remission Rates by Bladder Cancer Stage

Bladder cancer is broadly categorized as:

• Non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) – Ta, T1, and CIS
• Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) – T2–T4
• Metastatic bladder cancer

Each category has different treatment goals and remission expectations.

Remission Rates in Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)

Most bladder cancers—about 70%—are diagnosed at an early stage, when the tumor is confined to the inner layers of the bladder wall. These cancers have high remission rates, especially when treated promptly and followed by preventive therapy.

For low-grade tumors, remission is extremely common after surgery (TURBT). Many patients achieve complete remission, but recurrence may occur over time, which is why continued monitoring is essential.

For high-grade tumors, intravesical therapy such as BCG is usually recommended. Studies show that:

• Complete remission is achieved in about 70%–80% of patients after BCG treatment.
• The highest remission rates occur within the first 6 months of therapy.
• Even among patients who achieve remission, up to half may have a recurrence at some point, but many recurrences are still treatable.

Overall, NMIBC has an excellent chance of entering remission, especially when treated early and monitored regularly (Babjuk et al., 2022).

Remission Rates in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC)

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is more aggressive and requires stronger treatments, such as surgery or chemoradiation. Despite being more advanced, remission is still possible, and modern treatments continue to improve outcomes.

When patients receive chemotherapy before surgery (called neoadjuvant chemotherapy), research shows that:

• About 30%–40% achieve a pathologic complete remission, meaning no cancer is found at the time of surgery.
• Patients who achieve complete remission often have significantly improved long-term survival.

For patients choosing bladder-preserving chemoradiation:

• Durable complete remission occurs in about 50%–70% of patients.
• Those who achieve remission often maintain a functioning bladder and good quality of life.

In both treatment pathways, the chance of remission depends on tumor biology, overall health, and response to therapy.

Remission in Metastatic or Advanced Bladder Cancer

Remission becomes more complex in metastatic disease, but modern therapies have transformed expectations.

Chemotherapy

Platinum-based chemotherapy produces response (partial + complete) in 40–60% of patients (von der Maase et al., 2000). Complete remission occurs in ~5–15%.

Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Atezolizumab)

Complete remission in 5–10%, with durable responses in some patients (Bellmunt et al., 2017).

Read About Immunotherapy for Bladder Cancer on OncoDaily 

Antibody–Drug Conjugates (Enfortumab Vedotin)

• Response rates ~40–45%
• Complete remission in 4–6% (Rosenberg et al., 2019)

EV + Pembrolizumab (EV-302 Trial)

One of the most promising regimens: 67.7% response rate, with CR rates up to 29% (Powles et al., 2024). This represents a major breakthrough for previously untreatable metastatic disease.

Why Bladder Cancer Can Come Back Even After Remission

Bladder cancer has one of the highest recurrence rates of all cancers. This does not mean treatment failed—it is simply a characteristic of the disease. Even after a successful remission, small tumor cells may remain or may return over time. Because of this, bladder cancer requires ongoing cystoscopy, imaging, and urine tests. Early detection of recurrence allows for early treatment, which improves outcomes.

What Affects a Patient’s Chance of Remission?

Factors include:

• Stage and grade of the tumor
• Whether cancer has invaded muscle
• Presence of carcinoma in situ (CIS)
• Whether chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or BCG is used
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking
• Tumor mutations and response to therapy

Patients who stop smoking after diagnosis have better remission and survival outcomes.

How Long Does Remission Last?

This depends heavily on stage:

• Low-risk NMIBC: Many remain cancer-free long-term.
• Intermediate/high-risk NMIBC: Half recur within 5 years.
• MIBC (after cystectomy or trimodality therapy): Long-term remission possible in ~40%.

Metastatic disease: Remission is often temporary, but immunotherapy and ADCs have created long-lasting responses in a meaningful subset.

Can Bladder Cancer Be Cured?

Yes — but cure depends on stage.

• Early-stage (NMIBC): Many patients are effectively cured, though recurrence is common.
• MIBC: Cure is possible with surgery or chemoradiation.
• Metastatic disease: Rarely curable, but long-term remission is increasingly reported with modern immunotherapy and combination regimens.

Read About Bladder Cancer Cure Rate on OncoDaily 

Follow-Up After Remission

Because recurrence risk remains lifelong, guidelines recommend:

• Cystoscopy every 3–6 months for NMIBC depending on risk
• Imaging every 6–12 months for MIBC
• Ongoing monitoring for metastatic disease using scans and biomarkers

Adhering to follow-up is one of the most important factors for maintaining remission.

The Outlook for Bladder Cancer Remission

Although recurrence is common, bladder cancer remains highly treatable, especially when detected early. Many patients live long, healthy lives after treatment, even with recurrences. New therapies—including immunotherapy, targeted treatments, and antibody-drug conjugates—continue to improve remission rates and long-term survival across all stages.

Remission is not always a one-time event in bladder cancer; rather, it is a process of treatment, surveillance, and ongoing care. With regular follow-up and modern therapies, patients have more options than ever before to achieve remission and maintain quality of life

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Written by Armen Gevorgyan, MD

Golar LNG (NasdaqGS:GLNG) just locked in a fresh $1.2 billion asset backed debt facility to refinance its FLNG Gimi, freeing up roughly $400 million in net liquidity for new capital allocation decisions.

See our latest analysis for Golar LNG.

The refinancing comes after a choppy stretch, with the share price recently closing at $38.27 and a year to date share price return of minus 12.71 percent. At the same time, the five year total shareholder return sits at a robust 339.83 percent, suggesting long term faith in Golar’s LNG infrastructure strategy remains intact despite softer near term momentum.

If this kind of balance sheet reshaping has your attention, it could also be a smart moment to explore aerospace and defense stocks for other capital intensive businesses reshaping their growth profiles.

With Golar trading about 34 percent below consensus price targets but already delivering strong multi year returns, the real question now is whether this refinancing unlocked an overlooked value story or if markets already expect the next leg of growth.

Compared with the last close at $38.27, the most widely followed narrative sees Golar’s fair value materially higher, anchored in long dated FLNG cash flows.

The company has secured long-term (20-year) charters for its existing FLNG units, providing $17 billion in contracted EBITDA backlog and 20 years of cash flow visibility, which is expected to drive a significant (4x) increase in EBITDA and contracted free cash flow by 2028, indicating the market may be undervaluing its forward earnings stability and revenue growth.

Read the complete narrative.

Curious how a capital heavy LNG platform earns a growth style valuation? The narrative leans on transformative margin expansion and a bold future earnings ramp. Want to see the precise assumptions behind that jump in profitability and revenue acceleration?

Result: Fair Value of $51.10 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what’s behind the forecasts.

However, this outlook hinges on sustained LNG demand and flawless execution. Overcapacity or regulatory setbacks on new FLNG projects could quickly undermine today’s optimism.

Find out about the key risks to this Golar LNG narrative.

While the narrative implies upside, the current price already bakes in a lot of optimism, with Golar trading on a price to earnings ratio of 65.5 times. That is far above both the industry at 13.8 times and peers at 27.7 times, and well ahead of a fair ratio of 18.5 times, suggesting meaningful downside if sentiment or growth expectations slip.

See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown.

If you see the story differently or want to ground your own view in the numbers, you can build a complete narrative in minutes: Do it your way.

A great starting point for your Golar LNG research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision.

Skip the noise and use the Simply Wall Street Screener to quickly surface focused opportunities that match your strategy before the market fully catches on.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include GLNG.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

The first study assessing the real-world commercial roll-out of gene therapies for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia offers lessons learned to inform best practices as manufacturers and medical centers prepare to meet growing demand for gene therapies in the coming years.

Gene therapy requires system-level coordination and close collaboration across patients, treatment centers, payers, and manufacturers. The demand for these one-time durable gene therapies is growing, and we’re learning how to deliver treatment more efficiently as we gain more experience.” 

Joanne Lager, MD, study author, chief medical officer at Genetix Biotherapeutics Inc.

Sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia are both inherited disorders that affect the hemoglobin in red blood cells. In beta thalassemia, not enough functional hemoglobin is produced, which impacts the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, leading to debilitating symptoms and cumulative organ damage. In sickle cell disease, abnormal hemoglobin production causes the red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped, leading to blood vessel blockages and subsequent pain and organ damage.

Betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel) and lovotibeglogene autotemcel (lovo-cel) are autologous ex vivo gene therapies in which a patient’s own stem cells are collected, manufactured to add functional copies of a modified gene, and then infused back into the patient to engraft in the bone marrow and begin producing red blood cells with functional hemoglobin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved beti-cel for transfusion dependent beta thalassemia in 2022 under the name Zynteglo, and lovo-cel for sickle cell disease in 2023 under the name Lyfgenia.

To study the process and timing of real-world commercial implementation of these therapies, researchers analyzed data from 392 U.S. patients who enrolled to receive either beti-cel or lovo-cel between 2022 and 2025. To date, 29% (115) of these patients have received treatment, with 72% of beti-cel patients and 76% of lovo-cel patients having done so within a year of enrollment.

According to the findings, the median time elapsed from the decision to enroll and the one-time infusion of drug product was 9.8 months for beti-cel and 7.9 months for lovo-cel. Time for enrollment, scheduling, and cell collection varied across patients, with the most variability seen in the time elapsed between the decision to enroll in gene therapy and the collection of stem cells. The median time to complete this step – during which centers prepare patients for therapy medically and financially – was 4.4 months.

Most patients required only one cell collection for both beti-cel (79%) and lovo-cel (63%), consistent with experience from clinical trials. The number of stem cell collection procedures played a role in the overall treatment timeline, with about 80 days added per collection cycle. Once stem cells were collected, the median time it took to manufacture, test, and deliver the gene therapy drug product to a treatment center was 3.2 months for beti-cel and 3.5 months for lovo-cel.

“We’ve identified areas of opportunity to enhance the treatment journey for patients and providers,” said Dr. Lager. “We recognize the importance of delivering our therapies to patients as soon as possible and remain committed to improving the treatment experience.”

The results showed some operational differences between the two gene therapies. The time between FDA approval and first commercial patient enrollment was about half as long for lovo-cel as for beti-cel. Since beti-cel was approved about 16 months before lovo-cel, the researchers suggest that early experience implementing beti-cel meant that more centers were prepared to begin treating patients with lovo-cel.

Researchers said that operational factors such as insurance approvals, the number of cell collections required, and manufacturing capacity play an important role in influencing treatment timelines. Finding opportunities for greater efficiency across these areas remains a key focus.

“Demand for our gene therapies continue to build. We are actively working toward ensuring that we have the manufacturing capacity to deliver gene therapy to all patients seeking a path to a cure,” said Dr. Lager. 

The researchers noted that insurance coverage for these treatments has continued to expand. To facilitate further progress in overcoming barriers and increasing efficiency, they plan continued process improvements and collaboration with medical centers to share lessons learned and develop best practices. 

Anjulika Chawla, MD, of Genetix Biotherapeutics Inc., will present this study on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time in W311A-D of the Orange County Convention Center.

The Nordic countries are no strangers to the long, dark winter.

Despite little to no daylight — plus months of frigid temperatures — people who live in northern Europe and above the Arctic Circle have learned how to cope mentally and physically with the annual onset of the winter blues, which can begin as early as October and last into April for some.

The winter solstice will occur Dec. 21, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. While sunlight increases daily after that, winter won’t be over for a while yet.

The Associated Press spoke to experts in Norway, Sweden and Finland about the winter blues. Here’s how they suggest looking for light, literally and figuratively, during the darkest months of the year:

Dr. Timo Partonen, a research professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, said the dark winter affects our circadian rhythm.

With limited daylight, our internal body clocks cannot reset or synchronize properly and it throws off our sleep. We may sleep longer in the winter, he said, but we don’t wake up refreshed and can remain tired the rest of the day.

Partonen recommended trying a dawn simulator, sometimes known as a sunrise alarm clock, to gradually light up your bedroom and ease you awake.

In addition to being more tired, we’re more likely to withdraw from others socially in the wintertime. We’re more irritable, Partonen said, and more prone to fights with friends.

It’s important to maintain our relationships, he said, because symptoms rarely improve in isolation.

And since keeping up with exercise is also key to combating the winter blues, consider inviting a friend along for a workout.

It could also help keep off the wintertime weight gain — typically 2 to 5 kilograms (4 to 11 pounds) a year, Partonen said — that’s fed by cravings for carbohydrates, especially in the evenings.

Millions of people worldwide are estimated to suffer from seasonal depression. Also known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, patients typically have episodes of depression that begin in the fall and ease in the spring or summer. A milder form, subsyndromal SAD, is recognized by medical experts, and there’s also a summer variety of seasonal depression, though less is known about it.

Scientists are learning how specialized cells in our eyes turn the blue wavelength part of the light spectrum into neural signals affecting mood and alertness. Sunlight is loaded with the blue light, so when the cells absorb it, our brains’ alertness centers are activated and we feel more awake and possibly even happier.

Researcher Kathryn Roecklein at the University of Pittsburgh tested people with and without SAD to see how their eyes reacted to blue light. As a group, people with SAD were less sensitive to blue light than others, especially during winter months. That suggests a cause for wintertime depression.

In severe cases, people need clinical support and antidepressant medications. Christian Benedict, a pharmacology professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, suggests light therapy for people with SAD as well as those who have a milder case of the winter blues.

“It’s not like it’s a fate, an annual or a seasonal fate, and you cannot do anything about it,” Benedict said. “There are possibilities to affect it.”

A routine of morning light therapy, using devices that emit light about 20 times brighter than regular indoor light, can be beneficial for both people with and without SAD.

The light therapy helps to kickstart your circadian rhythm and increases serotonin in your brain, Benedict said.

Research supports using a light that’s about 10,000 lux, a measure of brightness, for 30 minutes every morning. Special lights run from $70 to $400, though some products marketed for SAD are not bright enough to be useful. Your insurance company might cover at least part of the cost if you’ve been diagnosed with SAD.

Partonen recommended using both a dawn simulator and a light therapy device each day before noon.

Yale has tested products and offers a list of recommendations, and the nonprofit Center for Environmental Therapeutics has a consumer guide to selecting a light.

And don’t forget to, well, look on the bright side. It’s crucial to embrace winter instead of dreading it, according to Ida Solhaug, an associate professor in psychology at the University of Tromsø, also known as the Arctic University of Norway — the world’s northernmost university.

Prioritize a positive outlook as a survival strategy and learn to appreciate the change in seasons. It’s a typical Norwegian way of thinking, she said, that can make all the difference when there’s very little daylight for months.

“It’s part of the culture,” she said.

And don’t forget to take advantage of both outdoor and indoor hobbies, she said. Inside, channel hygge — the Danish obsession with getting cozy — and snuggle up on the couch with blankets and a movie.

But don’t hibernate all winter. After the film finishes, head outside with a thermos for fika, the traditional Swedish coffee break. Even during cloudy days, a quick walk in the fresh air will help, she said. And if you’re brave enough, do a cold plunge like many people in the Nordics.

Solhaug tries to jump into the frigid waters off the coast of Tromsø, an island 350 kilometers (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, at least once a week, adding that it makes her feel revitalized during the long winter.

“Challenge yourself to look for light in the darkness,” she said.

After all, as many Nordic people say, there’s no such thing as bad weather — only bad clothing.

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, too, had some tips for how to tackle Nordic winters. When asked in an interview with The Associated Press last month how to survive the cold season, he had some very specific advice.

“Take an ice bath and then followed up by a sauna and do one more ice bath, one more sauna, then a shower and go out there. You’ll manage,” Stubb said.

__

Dazio reported from Berlin.

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Story Continues

Looking at both the UK and US stock markets right now, it seems a lot of investors are growing nervous of a potential correction or even a full-blown crash in 2026. And it’s easy to understand why.

• Enormous capital is currently concentrated in AI and ‘Magnificent Seven’ stocks.

• The S&P 500 is trading significantly ahead of its historical price-to-earnings ratio average, while the FTSE 100 sits at record highs.

• Sticky inflation is driving up recession risk.

• Geopolitical conflicts are on the rise.

• The private credit markets are experiencing a steady upward trend in late payments and defaul.

That’s obviously pretty scary. Yet despite these doomsday signals, I’m still drip feeding money into both UK and US stocks. Here’s what I’ve been buying and why.

Hindsight is 20/20, and it’s easy to look back at previous market downturns and say: “If only I had sold/bought when prices reached the top/bottom”.

However, this often leads novice and even expert investors into the trap of thinking they can successfully time the market the next time.

The reality is, in the short term, the stock market’s near-impossible to predict. And there are countless examples of investing legends like Michael Burry or Jeremy Grantham calling for catastrophes that never materialise, resulting in massive opportunity costs.

Instead, history’s shown that the best performers are those who remain invested and continue to top up their positions if volatility does indeed rear its ugly head. With that in mind, here’s what I’m doing now.

I would be lying if I said the current investing environment doesn’t make me a little nervous. And I’ve subsequently increased my portfolio’s cash position as a hedge against potential volatility. But I’m also still deploying capital where opportunities emerge.

Even with stock markets near record highs, there are still plenty of under-the-radar bargains to explore. And one that I’ve recently taken advantage of is Ecora Resources (LSE:ECOR).

The business specialises in providing alternative financing solutions for mining enterprises, to help get shovels in the ground in exchange for a small lifetime royalty. It’s certainly a niche business. But it’s one that some of the largest mining companies rely upon, including Rio Tinto, BNP, and Vale, among others.

What makes Ecora interesting right now is the firm’s strategic pivot away from coal towards critical metals such as copper, cobalt, and nickel. 2025 marks the first year in the company’s history where these metals contributed more than 50% of revenue, on track to reach 85% by 2030.

Copper’s now the new heart of Ecora’s portfolio. And with demand expected to vastly outpace global supply over the next decade, management’s investments over the last five years are starting to pay off at an accelerating pace.

Obviously, investing even in a royalty resources business comes with risks. If the supply/demand dynamics of copper fail to materialise, Ecora’s growth trajectory could be disrupted. And even if that doesn’t happen, unexpected production delays across its portfolio of projects could still hamper progress, likely resulting in share price volatility.

Nevertheless, while Ecora shares have already more than doubled since April, they remain massively undervalued compared to this medium-to-long-term growth opportunity, in my opinion. That’s why I’ve already snapped up some shares for my own portfolio.

The post I don’t care if the stock market crashes in 2026. I’m buying bargain shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

More reading

Zaven Boyrazian has positions in Ecora Resources Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Ecora Resources Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Motley Fool UK 2025

Responding to the report, UBS did not confirm this number, but said it would “keep the number of jobs cuts in Switzerland and globally as low as possible”.

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“The role reductions will take place over the course of several years and will be mostly achieved through natural attrition, early retirement, internal mobility and inhousing of external roles,” UBS said.

UBS has been cutting jobs as a result of the integration of former rival Credit Suisse, which it bought in 2023.

A reduction of 10,000 jobs would equate to a 9% cut in total jobs for the Swiss bank, which had around 110,000 employees at the end of 2024.

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Jonny Humphries/BBC

‘That’s Voldemort’

Carly Lea