Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the gold standard for intermediate and high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but availability is limited by global shortages. We present the first North American clinical experience using intravesical hyperthermia (HIVEC) with high-dose mitomycin C (MMC) during BCG shortage.
Single arm intermediate size expanded access protocol for high dose HIVEC MMC in patients with intermediate and high-risk NMIBC during BCG shortage. Patients received 120 mg intravesical MMC using the Combat BRS to achieve 43°C HIVEC. Primary outcome was a safety assessment of adverse events, with recurrence-free survival and a descriptive analysis of hematologic impacts as secondary outcomes.
Fourteen patients were treated from May 2019 to June 2020, 4 (29%) intermediate and 10 (71%) high risk. The cohort is heavily pretreated, only 2 (14%) BCG naïve and median 6 BCG instillations (IQR 5.25, 8.25), with median 3.5 recurrences per patient (IQR 1.00, 5.25) 67% with >1 per year. Patients underwent a median 6 instillations (IQR 3.25, 9.25) which were well tolerated in 11/14 (79%). Seven patients (50%) experienced 10 adverse events, all grades 1 or 2. Most common was MMC allergy (4/14, 29%), followed by bladder spasm (3/14, 21%). Two had recurrences at median 11 months follow up, but both discontinued HIVEC after only 2 treatments.
High dose MMC HIVEC is a safe and well-tolerated substitute for BCG during global shortages. The higher rate of systemic effects implies increased drug delivery, which may improve efficacy.
Urologic oncology. 2021 Jan 20 [Epub ahead of print]
Dominic C Grimberg, John Dudinec, Ankeet Shah, Brant A Inman
Division of Urology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC., Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC., Division of Urology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Electronic address: .
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33485761