Apaziquone for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a critical review.
OBJECTIVE
To describe clinical needs in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and review the potential of apaziquone in this respect.


METHODS
Epidemiology and clinical practice in NMIBC, as well as new drugs and strategies are reviewed.


RESULTS
Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous and frequent disease. Clinical risk factors help in determining additional therapy after initial resection. However, current treatments have clear limitations with regard to efficacy and/or toxicity. New drugs and strategies have been tested recently and are in (pre)clinical use. Intravesical apaziquone (EOquin) is a new drug. It has theoretical advantages for intravesical use, has proven safety and is presently under further clinical evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Apaziquone is a promising drug for intravesical use in patients with NMIBC.
Witjes
J Alfred
JA
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Urology (659), PO Box 9101, 6500 H.B Nijmegen, The Netherlands. F.Witjes@uro.umcn.nl
Kolli
Prasad S
PS
D000818:Animals; D001388:Aziridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D045563:Indolequinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D001388:Aziridines; D045563:Indolequinones; C060817:apaziquone