Does isoniazid reduce side effects of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy in superficial bladder cancer? Interim results of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Protocol 30911.
OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the influence of the tuberculostatic agent isoniazid on the incidence and severity of adverse effects of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy in patients with superficial bladder cancer.


METHODS
In a prospective randomized multicenter study the side effects of intravesical instillations with Tice strain BCG with and without isoniazid were compared in patients with stages pTa and pT1 bladder tumors. Isoniazid was given orally at a dose of 300 mg. daily at every instillation in an attempt to decrease the side effects of BCG.


RESULTS
No differences in local or systemic adverse reactions after intravesical immune therapy with BCG could be observed between patients treated with or without prophylactic isoniazid therapy. However, analysis of liver function tests after BCG with isoniazid showed slightly more liver toxicity compared to BCG alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic administration of isoniazid during BCG instillations provides no decrease in any known side effect of BCG. In contrast, transient liver function disturbances are encountered slightly more frequently when isoniazid is administered. The use of prophylactic isoniazid in patients treated with BCG is not recommended.
Vegt
P D
PD
Department of Urology, Rijnland Ziekenhuis, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands.
van der Meijden
A P
AP
Sylvester
R
R
Brausi
M
M
Höltl
W
W
de Balincourt
C
C
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007538:Isoniazid