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Kawada T, Yanagisawa T, Bekku K, Laukhtina E, von Deimling M, Chlosta M, Pradere B, Teoh JYC, Babjuk M, Araki M, Shariat SF. The efficacy and safety outcomes of lower dose BCG compared to intravesical chemotherapy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A network meta-analysis. Urol Oncol 2023:S1078-1439(23)00118-7. [PMID: 37137745 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess both efficacy and safety outcomes of lowering the dose of BCG compared to intravesical chemotherapies in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients using a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis approach. A comprehensive literature search was performed through Pubmed®, Web of Science™, and Scopus® in December 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials comparing the oncologic and/or safety outcomes of reduced dose intravesical BCG and/or intravesical chemotherapies according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The outcomes of interest were risk of recurrence, progression, treatment-related adverse events, and discontinuation. Overall, 24 studies were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Among 22 studies that adopted induction followed by maintenance intravesical therapy, with reference to the lower-dose BCG, epirubicin was associated with a significantly higher risk of recurrence (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.54-5.15), but not other intravesical chemotherapies. There were no significant differences in risk of progression among the intravesical therapies. On the other hand, standard-dose BCG was associated with a higher risk of any AEs (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.07-3.41) but other intravesical chemotherapies had a comparable risk of AEs compared to lower-dose BCG. The discontinuation rate did not significantly differ between lower-dose and standard-dose BCG (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.81-2.43) as well as other intravesical. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve, gemcitabine, and standard-dose BCG were preferable to lower-dose BCG in terms of recurrence risk; gemcitabine was also preferable to lower-dose BCG in terms of risk of AEs. In patients with NMIBC, lowering the dose of BCG decreases the risks of AEs and discontinuation rate compared to standard-dose BCG, but there is no difference in these endpoints compared to other intravesical chemotherapies. Standard-dose of BCG is preferred for all intermediate and high-risk NMIBC patients based on oncologic efficacy; however, lower-dose BCG and intravesical chemotherapies, especially gemcitabine, could be considered a reasonable alternative to BCG in selected patients who suffer from significant AEs or in case standard-dose BCG is not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsushi Kawada
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takafumi Yanagisawa
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensuke Bekku
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ekaterina Laukhtina
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Markus von Deimling
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcin Chlosta
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Urology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Benjamin Pradere
- Department of Urology UROSUD, La Croix Du Sud Hospital, Quint Fonsegrives, France
| | - Jeremy Yuen-Chun Teoh
- Department of Surgery, S.H. Ho Urology Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Marko Babjuk
- Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Motoo Araki
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shahrokh F Shariat
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia; Division of Urology, Department of Special Surgery, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX; Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Karl Landsteiner Institute of Urology and Andrology, Vienna, Austria.
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Del Giudice F, Asero V, Bologna E, Scornajenghi CM, Carino D, Dolci V, Viscuso P, Salciccia S, Sciarra A, D'Andrea D, Pradere B, Moschini M, Mari A, Albisinni S, Krajewski W, Szydełko T, Małkiewicz B, Nowak Ł, Laukhtina E, Gallioli A, Mertens LS, Marcq G, Cimadamore A, Afferi L, Soria F, Mori K, Tully KH, Pichler R, Ferro M, Tataru OS, Autorino R, Crivellaro S, Crocetto F, Busetto GM, Basran S, Eisenberg ML, Chung BI, De Berardinis E. Efficacy of Different Bacillus of Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Strains on Recurrence Rates among Intermediate/High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancers (NMIBCs): Single-Arm Study Systematic Review, Cumulative and Network Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071937. [PMID: 37046598 PMCID: PMC10093360 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In an era of Bacillus of Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortages, the comparative efficacy from different adjuvant intravesical BCG strains in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has not been clearly elucidated. We aim to compare, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the cumulative BC recurrence rates and the best efficacy profile of worldwide available BCG strains over the last forty years. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from 1982 up to 2022. A meta-analysis of pooled BC recurrence rates was stratified for studies with ≤3-y vs. >3-y recurrence-free survival (RFS) endpoints and the strain of BCG. Sensitivity analysis, sub-group analysis, and meta-regression were implemented to investigate the contribution of moderators to heterogeneity. A random-effect network meta-analysis was performed to compare BCG strains on a multi-treatment level. RESULTS In total, n = 62 series with n = 15,412 patients in n = 100 study arms and n = 10 different BCG strains were reviewed. BCG Tokyo 172 exhibited the lowest pooled BC recurrence rate among studies with ≤3-y RFS (0.22 (95%CI 0.16-0.28). No clinically relevant difference was noted among strains at >3-y RFS outcomes. Sub-group and meta-regression analyses highlighted the influence of NMIBC risk-group classification and previous intravesical treated categories. Out of the n = 11 studies with n = 7 BCG strains included in the network, BCG RIVM, Tice, and Tokyo 172 presented with the best-predicted probability for efficacy, yet no single strain was significantly superior to another in preventing BC recurrence risk. CONCLUSION We did not identify a BCG stain providing a clinically significant lower BC recurrence rate. While these findings might discourage investment in future head-to-head randomized comparison, we were, however, able to highlight some potential enhanced benefits from the genetically different BCG RIVM, Tice, and Tokyo 172. This evidence would support the use of such strains for future BCG trials in NMIBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Del Giudice
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5101, USA
| | - Vincenzo Asero
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Bologna
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Scornajenghi
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Dalila Carino
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Dolci
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Viscuso
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Salciccia
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sciarra
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - David D'Andrea
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Pradere
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Urology, La Croix du Sud Hospital, 31130 Quint-Fonsegrives, France
| | - Marco Moschini
- Department of Urology and Division of Experimental Oncology, Urological Research Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Mari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence-Unit of Oncologic Minimally-Invasive Urology and Andrology, Careggi Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Simone Albisinni
- Urology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Wojciech Krajewski
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szydełko
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Bartosz Małkiewicz
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Nowak
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ekaterina Laukhtina
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrea Gallioli
- Department of Urology, Fundacio Puigvert, 16444 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura S Mertens
- Department of Urology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gautier Marcq
- Urology Department, Claude Huriez Hospital, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
- Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER, Institut Pasteur de LilleCHU Lille, Inserm, CNRS University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Alessia Cimadamore
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Luca Afferi
- Department of Urology, Luzerner Kantonsspital, 6004 Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Soria
- Urology Division, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Studies of Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Keiichiro Mori
- Department of Urology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Karl Heinrich Tully
- Department of Urology and Neurourology, Marien Hospital Herne, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Herne, Germany
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matteo Ferro
- Division of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Octavian Sabin Tataru
- Department of Simulation Applied in Medicine, The Institution Organizing University Doctoral Studies (I.O.S.U.D.), George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Riccardo Autorino
- Department of Urology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Simone Crivellaro
- Health Sciences System, Department of Urology, University of Illinois Hospital e Camp, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Felice Crocetto
- Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, Urology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Busetto
- Department of Urology and Organ Transplantation, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Satvir Basran
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5101, USA
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5101, USA
| | - Benjamin Inbeh Chung
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5101, USA
| | - Ettore De Berardinis
- Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Zhuo C, Li X, Zhuang H, Tian S, Cui H, Jiang R, Liu C, Tao R, Lin X. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of intravesical chemotherapies for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a network meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:82567-82579. [PMID: 27788495 PMCID: PMC5347714 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Various intravesical therapies have been introduced into clinical practices for controlling non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, evidence with respect to the efficacy and safety of those intravesical therapies is very limited. Hence, we present a network meta-analysis in order to address this limitation in the current literature. The primary outcomes were the risk of tumor recurrence (TR), tumor progression (TP) and disease-specific mortality (DM). Secondary outcomes included the risk of fever, cystitis and haematuria. Conventional pair-wise and network meta-analysis were both performed for each endpoint. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was incorporated in our analysis for ranking the corresponding intravesical instillation interventions. In total, 23 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were finally included in our study after irrelevant papers were screened out. Results of network meta-analysis suggested that Epirubicin (EPI) was less preferable than Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), BCG+EPI, BCG+ Isoniazid (INH), BCG+ Mytomicin C (MMC), Gemcitabine (GEM) and MMC with respect to TR. As suggested by the corresponding ranking probabilities and SUCRA, incorporating EPI or MMC into BCG may enhance the efficacy of BCG monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zhuo
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Xubin Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 30000, China
| | - Hongqing Zhuang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 30000, China
| | - Shunli Tian
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300075, China
| | - Hailong Cui
- Intensive Care Unit, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300075, China
| | - Ronghuan Jiang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital; Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Ran Tao
- Beijing Shijian Integrated Medicine Science Institute, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xiaodong Lin
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China
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Abstract
In the second section of a two-part article, the recent literature is reviewed and the management of nonmuscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is discussed. Particular attention is given to the indications and timing of intravesical chemotherapy and immunotherapy and the differences in efficacy and side-effect profiles of the available agents. The indications and role of second-look transurethral resection are reviewed. Additionally, the role of bacillus Calmette-Guerin in the management of this disease in terms of definitive treatment and maintenance therapy is discussed. We also offer a review of the literature regarding therapies for bacillus Calmette-Guerin-refractory nonmuscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and their current place in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Josephson
- University of Southern California, Department of Urology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9178, USA.
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Shang PF, Kwong J, Wang ZP, Tian J, Jiang L, Yang K, Yue ZJ, Tian JQ. Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin versus epirubicin for Ta and T1 bladder cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011:CD006885. [PMID: 21563157 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd006885.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder cancer accounts for approximately 4.4% of adult malignancies, and approximately 80% of bladder cancer presents initially as transitional cell carcinoma that is confined to the urothelium (stage Ta) or lamina propria (stage T1). Intravesical administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and epirubicin (EPI) has been proven to reduce tumour recurrence and prevent or delay progression to muscle invasion and metastases. However, comparison of the effectiveness and safety of intravesical BCG and EPI in bladder cancer has yet to be explored. OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness and safety of BCG with EPI in the treatment of Ta and T1 bladder cancer. SEARCH STRATEGY A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (1966 to April 2010), EMBASE (1980 to April 2010), Health Services Technology, Administration, and Research (HealthSTAR), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CancerLit, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), was performed, and handsearching of relevant journals was undertaken. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised or quasi-randomised trials (in which allocation was obtained by alternation - e.g., alternate medical records, date of birth, or other predictable methods) in patients with Ta or T1 bladder cancer that compared intravesical BCG with EPI were included. No language restrictions were applied. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Trial eligibility, methodological quality and data extraction were assessed independently by two reviewers. We compared dichotomous outcomes (frequency of tumour recurrence, progressive disease by stage, mortality, distant metastases, local and systemic adverse effects, treatment delayed or stopped due to adverse effects) using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS Five trials of 1111 participants were included in this review. For BCG, 549 patients were treated, and 562 with EPI. Of the evaluated patients, 35.5% (195/549) in the BCG group and 51.4% (289/562) in the EPI group had tumour recurrence (P < 0.05). For disease progression (BCG, 44/549; EPI, 58/562) and distant metastases (BCG, 23/487; EPI, 31/495), there were no significant differences (P = 0.19 and P = 0.29, respectively). Only two trials, including 769 patients, had sufficient data for us to analyze disease-specific (BCG, 22/383; EPI, 26/386) and overall mortality (BCG, 125/383; EPI, 147/386). Neither comparison was significant (P = 0.93 and P = 0.12, respectively). In four studies reporting toxicity, BCG was associated with significantly more drug-induced cystitis [BCG, 54.1% (232/429); EPI, 31.7% (140/441)] and haematuria [BCG, 30.8% (132/429); EPI, 16.1% (71/440)]. Similarly, in three studies reporting systemic toxicity, BCG had significantly higher toxicity than the EPI (34.8% (134/385) versus 1.3% (5/393), respectively). In a meta-analysis comparing 'treatment delayed or stopped' (BCG, 40/431; EPI, 33/441), there was no significant difference between BCG and EPI treatments (P = 0.82). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The data from the present meta-analysis indicate that intravesical BCG treatment is more efficacious than EPI in reducing tumour recurrence for Ta and T1 bladder cancer. However, BCG appears to be associated with a higher incidence of adverse effects, such as drug-induced cystitis, haematuria and systemic toxicity, than EPI. The overall quality of the evidence is rather low. Well-designed, high quality randomised controlled trials with good allocation concealment are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Feng Shang
- Department of Urology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 82, Cui Ying Men Street, Lanzhou City, Gansu, China, 730030
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Aloisi A, Ruggera L, Beltrami P, Cerruto M, Zattoni F. Second-Line Intravesical Gemcitabine in High Risk Superficial Bladder Cancer: Our Experience. Urologia 2009. [DOI: 10.1177/039156030907600302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Intravesical instillation of Gemcitabine may represent a useful second-line chemotherapy in case of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Herein, we reported our experience with intravesical Gemcitabine in a group of patients affected by high-grade transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed a total of 17 patients (15 males and 2 females), affected by high-risk superficial bladder cancer, who were refractory, intolerant or not eligible to intravesical BCG immunotherapy. Each patient received 2000 mg of Gemcitabine diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% saline solution, administered twice a week for 6 weeks. At start, TCC stage and grade were: CIS in 10 patients, TaG3 in 5 and T1G3 in the remaining 2 cases. Those with no macroscopic lesion and negative cytology and histology were considered as complete responders; those with only positive cytology as partial responders, and those with positive biopsy or evidence of macroscopic lesions as non-responders. Results Patients’ mean age was 71.5 yrs (± 7.3 yrs standard deviation). Overall, median follow-up was 12 months [interquartile range (IQR) 9–15 months]. A complete remission was achieved in 10 cases (58.8%), a partial response in 2 (11.8%), while 5 patients (29.4%) were considered as non-responders. Tumor stage and/or grade progression was observed in 26.7% of the cases. Overall, the 6-month recurrence-free survival was 33.3%. Drug toxicity was relatively low: 2 patients developed a grade II dysuria (NCI-CTC criteria); fever >38° was observed in 1 case. Conclusions Although our experience and follow-up are still rather limited to formulate any conclusive assessment, our study seems to confirm that Gemcitabine could be used as a safe and efficient intravesical chemotherapy agent even in high grade TCCs, representing a promising second-line option in those cases who failed, were intolerant or not eligible to BCG therapy. (Urologia 2009; 76: 178–84)
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Aloisi
- Cattedra e Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Verona
| | - L. Ruggera
- Cattedra e Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Verona
| | - P. Beltrami
- Cattedra e Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Verona
| | - M.A. Cerruto
- Cattedra e Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Verona
| | - F. Zattoni
- Cattedra e Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Verona
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Huncharek M, Kupelnick B. The Influence of Intravesical Therapy on Progression of Superficial Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder. Am J Clin Oncol 2004; 27:522-8. [PMID: 15596924 DOI: 10.1097/01.coc.0000135570.37287.7f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Currently, the true impact of intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy (bacilli Calmette-Guerin [BCG]) on the rate of progression of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to muscle invasive disease is unclear. A metaanalysis was performed to statistically compare the efficacy of these treatments in preventing tumor progression in this disease setting. METHODS A prospective protocol outlining the metaanalysis noted here was developed followed by a thorough search of the existing published literature using strict eligibility criteria. Eight randomized, controlled trials were found that met protocol specifications. These reports contained data on 2427 patients who were statistically pooled using a fixed-effects model (Peto). The outcome of interest was the proportion of patients progressing to muscle invasive or metastatic disease expressed as a summary odds ratio (ORp). An ORp greater than unity favored BCG versus chemotherapy. RESULTS Initial pooling of these 8 trials gave a nonstatistically significant summary odds ratio of 1.24 (0.95-1.61) without evidence of statistical heterogeneity. Analysis by drug type showed significant attenuation of the ORp when the effects of mitomycin C were compared with BCG, ie, 1.04 (0.76-1.42) suggesting that: 1) mitomycin is probably more active than the other chemotherapeutics used in the available trials and 2) BCG is not clearly superior to mitomycin C. Sensitivity analyses also demonstrated that failure to control for prior intravesical drug treatment in all but 2 of the analyzed studies produces a spurious result favoring BCG over intravesical chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The available data fail to support a clear superiority of intravesical BCG over intravesical chemotherapy in preventing progression of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Mitomycin C appears more effective than the other commonly used drugs, and failure to control for prior intravesical chemotherapy in most of available studies results in a spurious finding of greater clinic effect of BCG over chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Huncharek
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Clinical Oncology, Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA.
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8
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Fields LS, Waddell JA, Solimando DA. Intravesical BCG Live for Superficial Bladder Cancer. Hosp Pharm 2004. [DOI: 10.1177/001857870403901005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The increasing complexity of cancer chemotherapy makes it mandatory that pharmacists be familiar with these highly toxic agents. This column focuses on the commercially available and investigational agents used to treat malignant diseases and reviews issues related to the preparation, dispensing, and administration of cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel S. Fields
- Inpatient Pharmacy Service, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC
| | - J. Aubrey Waddell
- Oncology Pharmacy Residency Program, Department of Pharmacy, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Room 2P02, Washington, DC 20307-5001
| | - Dominic A. Solimando
- Oncology Pharmacy Services, Inc., 4201 Wilson Boulevard #110-545, Arlington, VA 22203
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Huncharek M, Kupelnick B. Impact of intravesical chemotherapy versus BCG immunotherapy on recurrence of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: metaanalytic reevaluation. Am J Clin Oncol 2003; 26:402-7. [PMID: 12902895 DOI: 10.1097/01.coc.0000026911.98171.c6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is currently considered the most effective agent in the management of superficial bladder cancer. Prior work suggests that the efficacy of intravesical chemotherapy in preventing tumor recurrence may be greater than previously suggested. This latter finding, therefore, brings into question the currently perceived superiority of BCG treatment for this disease. A metaanalysis was performed to rigorously examine existing data relevant to this relationship and to quantify the relative efficacy of both treatment modalities on tumor recurrence. A prospective protocol outlining the above-noted metaanalysis was initially developed followed by a thorough search of the existing published literature using strict eligibility criteria. Nine randomized trials were found that met protocol specifications. These reports contained data on 2,261 patients that were statistically combined using a fixed effects model (Peto). The outcome of interest was the proportion of patients with recurrence at 1, 2, and 3 years following intravesical therapy (i.e., a summary odds ratio, ORp). Combining all nine trials using 1-year recurrence as the endpoint demonstrated significant statistical heterogeneity, although the ORp favored BCG over intravesical chemotherapy (0.89 [0.74-1.07]). This precluded statistical pooling of the data and sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the source of heterogeneity. These tests showed that the prior chemotherapy treatment in a large number of the randomized trials biased study results in favor of the BCG arms. Once the data were stratified on presence or absence of prior drug treatment, intravesical chemotherapy reduced 1-, 2-, and 3-year recurrence by 21% to 82% versus BCG, depending on the endpoint of interest. The available data suggest that clinical trials directly comparing intravesical BCG to intravesical chemotherapy must stratify on the presence or absence of prior chemotherapy. Recurrences following prior intravesical chemotherapy appear less responsive to drug therapy than those in chemotherapy-naive patients. The currently perceived superiority of BCG therapy may therefore be an artifact of this phenomenon, since most randomized trials include chemotherapy failures in their chemotherapy treatment arms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Huncharek
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Clinical Oncology, Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center, Wisconsin, USA
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Cote RJ, Datar RH. Therapeutic approaches to bladder cancer: identifying targets and mechanisms. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2003; 46 Suppl:S67-83. [PMID: 12850529 DOI: 10.1016/s1040-8428(03)00066-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transitional cell carcinoma is the second most common genitourinary malignancy in US and third most common cause of death among genitourinary tumors. Treatment options for bladder cancer include surgery, often combined with chemotherapy, radiation, and/or immunotherapy. The MVAC adjuvant chemotherapy regimen has been most widely used in locally invasive as well as metastatic disease. Only a proportion of patients at risk will respond to therapy. There is thus need to identify good responder patients for adjuvant therapy and to identify new targets to treat a greater range of patients. Based upon patient-specific aberrations in pathways or known markers, both existing and new therapies can be tailored to benefit patients based on the risk of progression and molecular alterations specific to a patient's tumor. Targeted therapy, therefore, is defined as therapy that targets mechanism and risk. Utilizing the available knowledge of the molecular biology of cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in bladder cancer, we review the potential therapeutic targets for rational drug development. Finally, using bladder cancer as a model for translational research, requirements for a desired clinical trial are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Cote
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Dalbagni G, Russo P, Sheinfeld J, Mazumdar M, Tong W, Rabbani F, Donat MS, Herr HW, Sogani P, dePalma D, Bajorin D. Phase I trial of intravesical gemcitabine in bacillus Calmette-Guérin-refractory transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder. J Clin Oncol 2002; 20:3193-8. [PMID: 12149290 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2002.02.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this phase I study was to determine the safety and toxicity profile of gemcitabine administered as an intravesical agent in patients with transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with superficial bladder cancer refractory to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy and refusing a cystectomy were considered eligible for the trial. Gemcitabine was given in the bladder for 1 hour twice weekly in 100 mL sodium chloride for a total of six treatments. After a 1-week break, a second course of six treatments over 3 weeks was given, followed by response assessment. Four dose levels were explored: 500 mg, 1,000 mg, 1,500 mg, and 2,000 mg. RESULTS Eighteen patients completed therapy: three at 500 mg, six at 1,000 mg, three at 1,500 mg, and six at 2,000 mg. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was observed at 500 mg. At 1,000 mg, three patients developed hematuria and one had a skin reaction resembling grade 3 hand-foot syndrome. Three patients at 1,500 mg had no grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Of six patients at 2,000 mg, one had grade 3 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia without infection. Seven patients had a complete response (negative cytology and posttreatment biopsy), and four patients had a mixed response (negative bladder biopsy but positive cytology). CONCLUSION Gemcitabine has substantial activity as an intravesical agent in BCG-refractory TCC and warrants further investigation. Therapy given twice weekly was associated with minimal bladder irritation and tolerable myelosuppression. The recommended phase II dose for twice-weekly therapy is 2,000 mg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Dalbagni
- Department of Urology, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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&NA;. Epirubicin: better option for patients at low risk of tumour recurrence after TUR. DRUGS & THERAPY PERSPECTIVES 2000. [DOI: 10.2165/00042310-200015090-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Dalbagni G, Herr HW. Current use and questions concerning intravesical bladder cancer group for superficial bladder cancer. Urol Clin North Am 2000; 27:137-46,. [PMID: 10696252 DOI: 10.1016/s0094-0143(05)70241-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the most effective therapy for CIS of the bladder. Although several series have shown a decrease in recurrence and progression of T1 tumor, this effect is temporary. More than one half of patients with T1 tumors treated with BCG will progress over the longterm. A second course of BCG is indicated after an initial complete response. There is no definitive answer regarding the efficacy of maintenance therapy or the optimum dose of BCG. Randomized trials are needed to address these issues in a more conclusive manner. Phase III trials have shown that mitomycin C can be as effective as BCG in the management of papillary tumors; however, BCG is more effective in patients with CIS and high-risk superficial tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Dalbagni
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Department of Urology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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Onrust SV, Wiseman LR, Goa KL. Epirubicin: a review of its intravesical use in superficial bladder cancer. Drugs Aging 1999; 15:307-33. [PMID: 10582777 DOI: 10.2165/00002512-199915040-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The anthracycline epirubicin has been investigated for intravesical use in patients with superficial bladder cancer. In multicentre, randomised trials, prophylaxis with intravesical epirubicin 30 to 80 mg after transurethral resection (TUR) was more effective than no prophylaxis in the prevention of disease recurrence. Intravesical prophylaxis with epirubicin was as effective as that with equivalent dosages of doxorubicin after TUR. Data are conflicting concerning the relative efficacy of intravesical epirubicin and bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in patients at intermediate risk of recurrence after TUR, but epirubicin was less effective than BCG in those at high risk. The efficacy and tolerability of prophylaxis with epirubicin relative to that with mitomycin is not yet established. The efficacy of epirubicin as prophylaxis after TUR in combination with BCG or interferon-alpha-2b, or as treatment in patients with superficial bladder cancer has been evaluated in small, noncomparative trials, but requires clarification. Adverse events associated with intravesical epirubicin were generally mild and transient. The most common adverse events were localised to the bladder (cystitis, haematuria and urinary tract infection). Systemic adverse events (cardiac, haematological or related to hypersensitivity) were not reported in many trials of intravesical epirubicin, and when reported generally occurred in < or =5% of patients who received the drug. Intravesical epirubicin was generally tolerated as well as intravesical doxorubicin and was associated with a lower incidence of mild chemical cystitis in 1 clinical trial. The incidence of adverse events associated with intravesical epirubicin was markedly lower than that associated with intravesical BCG. CONCLUSIONS Intravesical epirubicin has shown efficacy in preventing disease recurrence after TUR of superficial bladder cancer. In comparison with equivalent dosages of doxorubicin, the efficacy of epirubicin for this indication is generally similar, and the tolerability profile may be more favourable. Epirubicin is less effective than BCG as intravesical prophylaxis in patients at high risk of recurrence after TUR; the relative efficacy of epirubicin and BCG after TUR in patients at intermediate risk is not yet clear. Intravesical epirubicin is generally tolerated better than BCG. Intravesical epirubicin may be used as prophylaxis after TUR in patients who are at low or intermediate risk of recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Onrust
- Adis International Limited, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.
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