Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy after previous prostate radiotherapy for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer Journal Article

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Authors: Rao, M. V.; Ellimoottil, C; Sondej, T.; Flanigan, R.C.; Quek, M. L.
Article Title: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy after previous prostate radiotherapy for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy is a standard treatment for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We evaluated outcomes of BCG therapy for NMIBC in patients with a previous history of prostate cancer (CaP) radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with a history of CaP RT who subsequently underwent treatment with intravesical BCG for high-grade NMIBC was performed. Patients were categorized as "BCG success" or "BCG failure" (defined as stage progression or recurrent/persistent disease). We evaluated factors related to the radiotherapy (type, interval to BCG), bladder cancer (clinical stage, immunotherapy type, and course), and patient comorbidities, to identify factors associated with BCG failure. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2008, 26 patients with high-grade NMIBC received intravesical BCG immunotherapy after CaP RT. At a mean follow-up of nearly 5 years, 13 patients (50%) were successfully managed with one or more induction courses of BCG with or without the addition of interferon alpha. Twelve (46%) eventually required cystectomy for disease recurrence or progression, of which half had pathologically advanced disease (>/=pT3). Clinical stage was similar between BCG success and failure patients (P = 0.40). Those who failed immunotherapy were more likely to have had a longer interval between RT and BCG induction (5.8 vs. 2.4 years, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Approximately 50% of patients with NMIBC who were previously exposed to prostate radiation had a durable response to intravesical BCG. For non-responders, extravesical progression was common.
Journal Title: Urologic oncology
Volume: 31
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1873-2496; 1078-1439
Publisher: Elsevier Inc  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2013
Start Page: 857
End Page: 861
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1016/j.urolonc.2011.07.005

10.1016/j.urolonc.2011.07.005
Notes: CI: Copyright (c) 2013; JID: 9805460; OTO: NOTNLM; 2011/04/13 [received]; 2011/06/14 [revised]; 2011/07/07 [accepted]; 2011/08/24 [aheadofprint]; ppublish