Treatment for new bladder cancer shows an 82% success rate in breakthrough trials
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The experimental drug has shown promise in fighting a form of Bladder Cancer known as BCG-Undersongive high-risk bladder cancer (NMIBC).
BCG (Bacilllus Calmette-Guérin) is a drug that is commonly used in the initial treatment of early stage bladder cancer.
A new drug, tar-200 – which was tested in a trial and was made by Janssen Research & Development, LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson – may offer a non-invasive alternative to invasive surgery.
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TAR-200 is a small, drug-resistant device that is placed directly in the bladder in a simple procedure, without general anesthesia, according to a press release.
Once inserted, it slowly releases the chemotherapy gemcitabine over several weeks.
Researchers say a new implantable bladder device could save patients from losing their bladder entirely. (Stock)
“Traditionally, these patients have had very limited treatment options. This new treatment is the most effective treatment for this type of bladder cancer,” said the urologic director of medicine at Keck Medicine of USC, in a press release.
“The discovery of a clinical case is a way to succeed in the treatment of certain types of bladder cancer, leading to improved results and saved lives.”
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Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the 11th most common cancer in women.
According to the Urology Care Foundation, non-muscular bladder cancer is found in the tissues that line the inside of the bladder.
“Bladder Cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers worldwide, but treatment options have remained unchanged for more than 40 years.”
High risk NMIBC carries a high chance of recurrence after treatment. This study aims to find an option for patients whose cancer has recurred even after standard treatment.
“THE CURRENT MIRACLE PLANNING PROGRAM WILL BE RETURNED to remove the bladder and the surrounding tissue and human organs, with many health risks and may have a negative impact on the health of patients,” said DaneshMand.
This new treatment may eventually allow some patients to avoid those procedures.
The results of the trial showed that many patients survived cancer for more than two years. (Stock)
All study participants had high-risk NMIBC that did not respond to conventional WCG drugs. This study was divided into several groups that tested different combinations of drugs and treatment methods.
In one group, patients received tar-200 once every three weeks for six months, followed by treatment with the latter every 12 weeks for up to two years.
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Among the 85 patients in this group, 82.4% showed no detectable signs of cancer after treatment. Of that group, 52.9% remained cancer-free at one year, and many remained cancer-free for more than two years without needing additional treatment.
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In another group of patients with less aggressive early stage bladder cancer, disease-free survival rates were 85.3% at six months and 81.1% at nine months. Overall, 94% were able to keep their bladders.
The results of the clinical trial were published earlier this year in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The TAR-200 device delivers Gemcitabine directly to the bladder, keeping the drug where it is needed most. (Stock)
The investigators emphasized that this is in the Mid-Stage stage (stage 2b). Longer, larger trials and controlled reviews are still needed before treatment can become standard care.
“Because the study didn’t include a traditional comparison (no randomized control arm), we can’t determine how tar-200 stacks up against other treatment options,” the researchers said.
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Patients in this study are a specific subset (BCG – unresponsive and suitable for bladder preservation) and may not represent all cases of bladder-calcer cancer.
“Furthermore, the follow-up period remains short and the patient population modest, meaning we do not know how long or how long the benefits will last in larger, more diverse, additional population groups.
