Effective bladder sparing therapy with intra-arterial cisplatin and radiotherapy for localized bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of the organ preserving strategy of intra-arterial cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy for localized bladder cancer.


METHODS
Bladder preservation has been pursued over the decades in treatment regimens featuring radiotherapy alone or in conjunction with single or multiagent chemotherapy. The chemotherapy has consisted almost exclusively of intravenously administered drugs. There are theoretical and clinical data demonstrating a higher concentration of cisplatin within tumors following intra-arterial as opposed to intravenous delivery. This study was performed to evaluate whether this increased concentration would enhance radiosensitization and thereby increase the success of bladder preservation.


RESULTS
We report on our prospectively collected experience during 15 years of treating 200 patients with localized bladder cancer using this regimen of 3 courses of intra-arterial cisplatin integrated with pelvic radiotherapy and reserving cystectomy for salvage as required. We report on the efficacy in terms of complete response rate, ultimate tumor-free bladder preservation, overall survival and patterns of failure. We detail the acute and chronic toxicity observed to date.


CONCLUSIONS
This strategy has resulted in a durable high complete response rate and overall tumor-free bladder preservation rate of 75% while maintaining a survival comparable to that achieved with cystectomy. These results corroborate the hypothesis that intra-arterial administration of cisplatin enhances radiosensitization during pelvic radiotherapy.
Eapen
Libni
L
Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Stewart
David
D
Collins
John
J
Peterson
Rebecca
R
D018195:Adenosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015653:Cystectomy; D003559:Cystostomy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D018198:Mixed Tumor, Malignant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017785:Photons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D002945:Cisplatin