Concurrent vinblastine and radiation therapy in bladder cancer.
BACKGROUND
Since mid-1987, 29 patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (T1-3 N0-X M0) were treated with concurrent radiation therapy (RT) (target dose [TD], 62-66 Gy) 1.8-2.0 Gy/day for 5 days a week with a break in the middle of treatment of 2-3 weeks and vinblastine weekly 2 mg/5-12 h intravenous infusion.


METHODS
Patients were divided into two groups: those had only the initial therapy (Group 1) and those who had both courses of RT combined with vinblastine (Group 2). Patients eligible for cystectomy were selected for full-dose RT, according to the results of treatment with a TD of 36 Gy.


RESULTS
Tolerable toxicity rates were noted. No patient was excluded from the study. The authors report a clinical complete remission rate of 71% at early evaluation of treatment and a 3-year local progression-free survival of 66% (for Group 2 patients). These results are comparable to those obtained with more aggressive chemoradiation therapy regimens. The authors also noted improved local disease control in patients who received combination therapy in comparison with the 17 patients treated with RT alone.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors suggest that concurrent RT and vinblastine therapy is an attractive alternative to other chemoradiation therapy regimens, and is especially superior to RT therapy alone in caring for old patients or patients in poor general condition.
Kragelj
B
B
Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Jereb
B
B
Kragelj
L
L
Stanonik
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015653:Cystectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014747:Vinblastine