ABSTRACT
Introduction: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a highly recurrent disease. Early bladder chemotherapy instillation (EBCI) after transurethral resection (TURB) is an efficient way to diminish recurrence. However, this method is often challenged.
Areas covered: There was a recent publication of a large meta-analysis with the original patient data and the largest study ever on EBCI. Both brought new evidence on EBCI. Also the results of the 2 trials of EBCI with apaziquone appeared. EBCI is discussed among other methods to decrease recurrence.
Expert commentary: EBCI obtains a 35% relative reduction of recurrence with the best results in low risk tumors. However, tumors with an EORTC recurrence score of 5 or more do not respond. It should be given within a few hours after TURB. Mitomycin C and epirubicin have been most widely used with no difference in response. Intensive rinsing of the bladder is also able to reduce recurrence rates by about 21%. A rare, but major problem and reason for not using EBCI is the possible extravasation of the drug after TURB. Apaziquone is rapidly inactivated in tissue and blood and is therefore ideal for local use. Two phase III trials however obtained only a modest result.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.