Adjuvant intravesical therapy for superficial bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review the results of clinical trials and adverse drug effects of thiotepa, BCG vaccine, mitomycin, and doxorubicin, which are used as adjuvant intravesical therapy for superficial bladder cancer.


METHODS
Information was retrieved from a MEDLINE search, of the English-language literature. Indexing terms included adjuvant pharmaceutics, bladder neoplasms, thiotepa, mitomycin, BCG vaccine, and doxorubicin.


METHODS
Data from several human and in vitro studies were assessed and evaluated, according to the strength of comparative data and therapeutic response.


METHODS
Emphasis was placed on clinical trials that assessed and evaluated dosage, therapeutic regimens, and therapeutic response of adjuvant intravesical therapy for superficial bladder cancer.


RESULTS
Adjuvant intravesical therapy and long-term prophylaxis are effective for superficial bladder cancer. Studies have shown that doxorubicin, thiotepa, BCG, and mitomycin, when used as adjuvant therapy, provide better protection than transurethral resection alone against tumor recurrence and prolong the time to when cystectomy is required.


CONCLUSIONS
Several randomized clinical trials suggest that BCG is superior to thiotepa, doxorubicin, and mitomycin in preventing bladder tumor recurrence and tumor progression. Local cystitis is an adverse effect produced by all four agents; however, BCG vaccine has been reported to cause a higher incidence of adverse reactions (e.g., dysuria, hematuria). BCG may also cause an influenza-like syndrome, arthralgias, and fever, but most of these reactions have resulted in few severe adverse effects when the drug is given in the relatively modest recommended doses.
Batts
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College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University, Columbus.
D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013852:Thiotepa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D008937:Mitomycins; D004317:Doxorubicin; D013852:Thiotepa