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The Incidence of Smoking-related Bladder Cancer May Be Increasing (11/19/2009)
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute and Dartmouth Medical School have reported that the risk of developing smoking-related bladder cancer has increased in New Hampshire over the risk observed in the 1990s. The details of this study appeared in the November 18, 2009 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Intravesical Taxotere® Maintenance Therapy May Improve Treatment of Superficial Bladder Cancer Refractory to BCG (11/18/2009)
Researchers from Columbia University have reported that induction and maintenance therapy with intravesical Taxotere® (docetaxel) is well tolerated and effective for treatment of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are refractory to Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. The details of this study were reported in the October 2009 issue of British Journal of Urology International.
Carbogen and Nicotinamide Improves Survival of Patients with Advanced Bladder Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy (11/11/2009)
Researchers from the UK have reported that patients with locally advanced bladder cancer treated with concomitant carbogen, nicotinamide, and radical accelerated radiotherapy have a 13% improved three-year survival compared with patients treated with radiotherapy alone. The details of this Phase III randomized trial were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in the first week of November.
Gemzar® More Effective than Mutamycin® for Recurrent Superficial Bladder Cancer (10/23/2009)
Researchers from Italy have reported that intrabladder treatment with Gemzar® (gemcitabine) is more effective than Mutamycin® (mitomycin C) for the treatment of recurrent bladder cancer. The details of this randomized trial were published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on October 19.
Multimodality Therapy with Hyperthermia Promising for High-risk Bladder Cancer (10/22/2009)
Researchers from Germany have reported that a strategy of transurethral resection followed by chemoradiotherapy with regional deep hyperthermia results in local recurrence-free survival of 85% in patients with high-risk Stage I and II bladder cancer. The details of this study were published early online in Radiotherapy and Oncology on October 19, 2009.
Arsenic Exposure May Be Related to Survival of Patients with Bladder Cancer (10/21/2009)
Researchers from Dartmouth Medical School have reported that patients with bladder cancer with high arsenic exposure had a lower survival rate than patients with bladder cancer without a high arsenic exposure. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the World Journal of Urology on October 16, 2009.
Thermo-chemotherapy May Improve Outcomes of Patients with Superficial Bladder Cancer Failing BCG (9/16/2009)
Researchers from Israel have reported that thermo-chemotherapy with mitomycin C in patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer after treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) results in an 85% one-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. The details of this study appeared in the October 2009 issue of the Journal of Urology.
High Time Costs for Informal Care Givers of Cancer Patients (9/10/2009)
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have reported that the time spent by informal caregivers is significant and an important component in the overall burden of cancer care. The details of this study appeared in the September 4, 2009 issue of Cancer.
HIV-associated Bladder Cancer Occurs at an Early Age (9/9/2009)
Researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital have reported that bladder cancer can be added to the list of cancers associated with HIV infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The details of this study appeared in BMC Urology in an early online report on August 31, 2009.
Delay of Surgery Increases Mortality from Bladder Cancer (9/2/2009)
Researchers from Canada have reported that a delay of 40 or more days between diagnosis of bladder cancer by transurethral resection and cystectomy significantly increases mortality. The details of this study were published early online in the Journal of Urology on August 13.
Gemzar® and Taxol® Effective First-line Therapy for Previously Untreated Bladder Cancer (5/13/2009)
Researchers from Italy have reported that Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) is an effective first-line treatment for bladder cancer. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on April 24, 2009 in Cancer.
Delaying Surgery Shortens Survival in Stage II Bladder Cancer (3/18/2009)
Researchers at UCLA and the Rand Corporation involved in the Urologic Diseases in America Project have reported that patients with Stage II bladder cancer who undergo surgery more than 12 weeks after diagnosis have a higher risk of death. These results were published in the March 1, 2009 issue of Cancer.
Avastin® (Bevacizumab) and Taxol® (Paclitaxel) Improves Progression-Free Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer (1/7/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) reported the final analysis of the E2100 trial in which the addition of Avastin (bevacizumab) to Taxol (paclitaxel) was shown to increase progression-free survival compared to Taxol alone. The details of this study appeared in the December 27, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Students Report High Level of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke (10/3/2007)
According to an international survey of students between the ages of 13 and 15 years, almost half of the nonsmokers reported that they were exposed to secondhand smoke at home and a similar number reported that they were exposed to secondhand smoke outside of the home. These results were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Approvable Letter Received for Valstar® (8/28/2007)
An approvable letter from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been received by Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc for Valstar.
Ixabepilone Evaluated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Bladder Cancer and Prostate Cancer (8/17/2007)
There have been three recent clinical trials evaluating ixabepilone, in NSCLC, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Ixabepilone is an epothilone B analog that binds to microtubules and results in microtubule stabilization and mitotic arrest. There have been several recent publications demonstrating significant activity for single agent ixabepilone in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Chemotherapy Underused in Stage III Bladder Cancer (8/1/2007)
Researchers from Cornell University, University of California at San Francisco and the American College of Surgeons have reported that less than 15% of patients with stage III bladder cancer received perioperative chemotherapy in the period from 1998 to 2003. The details of this study appeared in the August, 2007 issue of The Journal of Urology.
Improved Outcomes with Higher Volumes for Radical Cystectomy (8/1/2007)
Researchers from Vanderbilt have reported that there were differences in outcomes of radical cystectomy performed in academic medical centers based on the number of procedures. The details of this study appeared as an early on-line publication in The Journal of Urology on July 28, 2007.
Herceptin® Combination Chemotherapy Regimen Targets HER-2 Positive Bladder Cancer (7/9/2007)
Researchers involved in a multi-center National Cancer Institute trial have documented the feasibility of treating Her-2 positive advanced bladder cancer with a regimen of Herceptin (trastuzumab), Taxol® (paclitaxel), Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Gemzar® (gemcitabine). The details of this study appeared in the June 1, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Long-Term Mitomycin C Improves Bladder Cancer Control (5/17/2007)
Researchers from Germany have reported that monthly bladder instillation of mitomycin C (MMC) for 3 years decreases recurrences in patients with superficial bladder cancer. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on Mach 12, 2007 in European Urology.
Children’s Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke Increases Risk of Bladder Cancer (10/20/2006)
A European multicenter study has determined that individuals who smoke and children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
Eloxatin® and Gemzar® a Tolerable Regimen for Advanced or Metastatic Bladder Cancer (8/16/2006)
Researchers from France have reported that the combination of Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) and Gemzar (gemcitabine) is an effective and well tolerated regimen for the treatment of advanced or metastatic bladder cancer and should be considered in patients who may not tolerate Platinol® (cisplatin)-based regimens.
Abnormal DNA in Urine May Detect Bladder Cancer (7/25/2006)
Researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have reported that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for tumor DNA in urine samples detected cancer in 69% of specimens from patients with bladder cancers with no control patient having a positive test.
Intravesical Taxotere® Effective in Recurrent Superficial Bladder Cancer (7/24/2006)
Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York have reported that intravesical Taxotere® (docetaxel) appears to be an effective treatment option for patients with superficial bladder cancer that has recurred following standard therapies. The details of this phase I-II study appeared in the July 1, 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Screening for Bladder Cancer at Age 50 and Older Reduces Mortality (6/2/2006)
According to results recently presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA), screening individuals over the age of 50 years for bladder cancer reduces mortality.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy May Improve Survival with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (2/28/2006)
Researchers from Italy have pooled data from five small phase III clinical trials and concluded that chemotherapy after surgery for muscle-invasive bladder cancer improves survival and reduces recurrences.
BladderChek® Detects Recurrent Bladder Cancer (1/23/2006)
Researchers from 23 U.S. medical facilities have confirmed the efficacy of NMP22 BladderChek®, an in-office test, in detecting recurrent bladder cancer.
Electromotive Mutamycin® Improves Results of BCG Therapy for Superficial Bladder Cancer (1/17/2006)
Italian researchers have reported that electromotive (intravesical electric current) Mutamycin (mitomycin) and BCG improves the outcomes of patients with superficial bladder cancer compared to BCG alone delivered in the conventional manner.
Urine Telomerase Test May be More Accurate Than Current Tests for Bladder Cancer (11/2/2005)
Researchers from Italy have reported that a urine test for telomerase activity can detect 90% of bladder cancers and rule out bladder cancer in 88% of those without bladder cancer.
Brachytherapy May Substitute for Cystectomy for Some Bladder Cancers (3/10/2005)
Researchers from the Netherlands have reported that external beam radiation followed by brachytherapy is an acceptable alternative to cystectomy or combined radiation and chemotherapy for solitary bladder cancers that are 5 cm or less in size.
Test of Nuclear Matrix Protein More Accurate than Urine Cytology for Bladder Cancer (3/1/2005)
NMP22 BladderCheck® detected more than half of known bladder cancers compared to 16% detected by urine cytology. The details of this report appeared in the February 16, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Gene-Based Test, UroVysion™, Approved to Aid in Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer (2/17/2005)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved UroVysion™, a DNA probe assay, as an aid to standard methods in the diagnosis of bladder cancer in patients with hematuria who are suspected of having bladder cancer. UroVysion™ was approved in 2001 to be used in conjunction with cystoscopy for the monitoring of a recurrence in patients with bladder cancer.
FISH Assay from Urine Sample Accurate in Monitoring Response to Intravesicle Therapy in Superficial Bladder Cancer (2/15/2005)
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic recently reported that results from fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) from urine samples can help monitor responses and predict the risk of progression in patients with superficial bladder cancer undergoing intravesicle therapy.
Dogs Trained to Detect Bladder Cancer by Sniffing Urine (10/4/2004)
Researchers from the UK have apparently trained dogs to recognize urine samples from patients with bladder cancer. The details of this report appeared in the September 25, 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal.
MVAC with Growth Factor Support Superior to Taxotere® and Platinol® for Advanced Bladder Cancer (1/30/2004)
Greek researchers have reported that an intensified regimen of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplantin (MVAC) and Neupogen® is more effective than a regimen of Taxotere® and Platinol® and Neupogen® for treatment of advanced bladder cancer. The details of this study appeared in the January 15, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
1
Microwave Hyperthermia Improves Results of Local Chemotherapy for Superficial Bladder Cancer (12/3/2003)
Researchers from Italy have reported that local microwave hyperthermia in combination with local mitomycin C (Mutamycin®) controls superficial bladder cancer better than local Mutamycin® alone. The results of this randomized trial were reported in the December 1, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Alimta® (Pemetrexed) Yields Good Results as Second-Line Treatment of Bladder Cancer (11/21/2003)
A study presented at the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium XXI showed that Alimta® appears to be an active single agent in the second-line treatment of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium. Results indicate that more than one quarter of patients responded to the drug. Christopher J. Sweeney, MD, of Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN presented these findings.
Gemzar® and Taxotere® is a Well-Tolerated Regimen for Unresectable Bladder Cancer (11/4/2003)
Researchers from UCLA have reported that the combination of
Gemzar® and
Taxotere® is an effective and well-tolerated palliative regimen for patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The results of this phase II study appeared in the November 1, 2003 issue of
Cancer.
Chemoradiation Results in Bladder Preservation and Good Quality of Life for Patients with Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (10/27/2003)
Researchers from France have reported that combined chemotherapy and radiation results in bladder preservation and tumor control in 75% of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. They presented the results of this phase II prospective trial at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society For Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology on October 21 in Salt Lake City.
1
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Outcome of Patients with Advanced Bladder Cancer Undergoing Cystectomy (8/28/2003)
Researchers affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group have reported that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients undergoing cystectomy for advanced bladder cancer.
1 These results were published in the August 28, 2003 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine.
Large Meta-analysis Documents Effectiveness of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Bladder Cancer (6/9/2003)
Researchers affiliated with the Advanced Bladder Cancer (ABC) Meta-Analysis Collaboration have reported that neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy improves 5-year survival by approximately 5% in patients with advanced bladder cancer when compared to surgery, radiation therapy, or the combination of radiation therapy and surgery. These results were published in the June 6, 2003 issue of the Lancet.
Gemzar® and Carboplatin: An Effective Alternative for Elderly Patients with Advanced Bladder Cancer (4/29/2003)
Researchers in Spain have evaluated the combination of Gemzar® and carboplatin and concluded that this is an effective and well tolerated regimen for elderly patients with advanced bladder cancer with co-morbid conditions. These findings were published in the May 2003 issue of
Cancer.
Patients with Superficial Bladder Cancer Have Poor Compliance with Follow-up Cystoscopy (4/16/2003)
Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that many patients with superficial bladder cancer do not comply with advised follow-up exams. They reported their findings in the April 16, 2003 issue of the Journal
of the National Cancer Institute.
Patients with Superficial Bladder Cancer Have Poor Compliance with Follow-up Cystoscopy (4/16/2003)
Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that many patients with superficial bladder cancer do not comply with advised follow-up exams. They reported their findings in the April 16, 2003 issue of the Journal
of the National Cancer Institute.
ImmunoCyt® Test Improves Detection of Bladder Cancer (2/17/2003)
A new test, ImmunoCyt, will be marketed this year in the U.S. to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of bladder cancer. This test is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the monitoring of recurrent bladder cancer.
Arsenic in Drinking Water May Cause More Aggressive Bladder Cancers (11/26/2002)
Exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water can cause an increase in a variety of cancers and skin lesions. There has also been speculation that low levels of arsenic in drinking water can lead to an increase in cardiovascular disease. In the U.S., most arsenic contaminated drinking water sources would be classified as low level with unproven adverse health effects.
Cellular Immunotherapy May Prevent Recurrences of Superficial Bladder Cancer (11/12/2002)
Adjuvant treatment of superficial bladder cancer by the intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is well established. Currently, BCG therapy is the most effective method of prevention of recurrent superficial bladder cancer. The mechanism of BCG activity is poorly understood but the most reasonable hypothesis is that this agent stimulates the body to make lymphokine activated killer cells and interleukin-2. It is known that ex-vivo stimulation of mononuclear cells with BCG produces BCG-activated killer (BAK) cells that are cytotoxic against bladder tumor cells. Thus, NK cells are probably necessary for the activity of BCG. French researchers have explored the efficacy of macrophage activated killer (MAK) cells for the adjuvant treatment of patients with superficial bladder cancer. They reported their findings in the December 2002 issue of
The Journal of Urology.
Gemzar® and Epirubicin: An Active Regimen for Bladder Cancer In Debilitated Patients (9/30/2002)
The combination of cisplatin, methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin (M-VAC) is the accepted standard treatment regimen for patients with advanced bladder cancer. This combination results in overall response rates in excess of 50%, with complete responses in 10% to 40% of patients. However, this regimen is reasonably toxic, especially in persons who have impaired renal function. There is a need for less toxic palliative regimens for the treatment of bladder cancer. Italian researchers have reported that the combination of
Gemzar® and epirubicin has significant palliative activity and is well tolerated in individuals with bladder cancer with compromised renal function. They reported their findings in the September 2002 issue of
Cancer.
Molecular Test Detects Recurrent Bladder Cancer Before Visualization with Cystoscopy (9/25/2002)
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder often begins with superficial lesions that are treated with surgery and adjuvant BCG or chemotherapy. Many superficial lesions, however, progress to become invasive. Currently, the only method of detecting recurrence is by cystoscopy and biopsy. Many have sought more reliable methods for early detection of recurrent TCC. Researchers in France have reported what may be the most promising test for recurrent TCC. They determined that molecular examination of cells shed in the urine for microsatellite instability (MSI) accurately detected recurrent TCC. They reported their results in the July 2002 issue of the
International Journal of Cancer.
Long-Term Results of Bladder Sparing Multi-Modality Treatment for Invasive Bladder Look Promising (7/17/2002)
The usual treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer is radical cystectomy, which involves the removal of the bladder, prostate, and seminal vesicles in men, or the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, anterior vaginal wall, and urethra in women. There have been many innovative techniques developed as substitute bladders and urinary diversions. However, there have also been attempts to aggressively treat bladder cancer while sparing this important organ. Several studies have suggested that the combination of modest surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can save the bladders of a significant number of patients without compromising survival. In the July 15, 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology, German researchers reported their long-term results of multi-modality treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Chemotherapy Allows for Bladder Preservation In Some Patients with Advanced Bladder Cancer (5/15/2002)
Patients with bladder cancer that invades the muscle are usually treated by surgical removal of the bladder. Over the past several years, many groups have attempted to control locally invasive bladder cancer with chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy in order to preserve the bladder. Spanish researchers have recently reported their results of combined modality therapy consisting of deep transurethral resection of the primary bladder tumor followed by Platinol®, methotrexate and Velban® chemotherapy in patients with muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Their results were published in a recent issue of
The Journal of Urology.
Mortality from Major Cancer Surgery and Morbidity From Prostate Surgery Lower in High Volume Hospitals Than in Low Volume Hospitals (4/16/2002)
There were two reports in the April 11 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine which strongly support the concept that patients facing major cancer surgery should select a high volume hospital near where they live.
Four Weeks of Anticoagulation Better Than One Week Following Cancer Surgery (4/5/2002)
Researchers from Sweden, Italy, England and Israel have reported in the March 28 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine that prolonged anticoagulation versus one week of anticoagulation is better for patients undergoing abdominal cancer surgery.
Plasma Free Metanephrines Best Test for Excluding or Confirming Pheochromocytoma (4/3/2002)
A multicenter international study has determined that plasma free metanephrines provide the best test for excluding or confirming the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The data establishing this was published in the March 20 issue of the
Journal of the American Medical Association.
Gemzar® and Paclitaxel Combination Effective for Patients with Advanced Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) Who Fail Platinol®-Based Chemotherapy (3/5/2002)
Researchers in Italy treated 41 patients with advanced or metastatic TCC who had received prior Platinol®-based systemic chemotherapy with an outpatient regimen of Gemzar® and paclitaxel every 2 weeks. Of the 60% of patients who responded, 28% achieved a CR and 33% a PR. In addition, 80% who had been previously treated in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting responded versus 27% of patients who received prior methotrexate, Velban®, doxorubicin, Platinol® (M-VAC) for metastatic disease.
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