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Radical cystectomy is the current treatment of choice for patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder tumor (NMIBC). However, the high comorbidity of this surgery and its effects on the quality of life of patients require the investigation and implementation of bladder-sparing treatment options. These must be evaluated individually by the uro-oncology committee based on the characteristics of the BCG failure, type of tumor, patient preferences and treatment options available in each center. Based on FDA-required oncologic outcomes (6-month complete response rate for CIS: 50%; duration of response in responders for CIS and papillary: 30% at 12 months and 25% at 18 months), there is not currently a strong preference for one treatment over another, although the intravesical route seems to offer less toxicity. This work summarizes the evidence on the management of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC based on current scientific evidence and provides consensus recommendations on the most appropriate treatment., (Copyright © 2024 AEU. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Chemohyperthermia (CHT) with mitomycin C (MMC) is together with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and passive MMC, a treatment option for patients with non muscle-invasive bladder cancer. There are no data published about the impact of CHT in quality of life (QoL). We evaluated QoL and adverse events (AE) in this 3-arm observational study., Patients and Methods: Prospective observational study from September 2016 to March 2017, we recruited consecutive patients that received adjuvant treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Patients received induction courses of either BCG, CHT, or passive MMC. Patients filled the questionnaires Functional assessment of cancer therapy for bladder cancer patients (FACT-Bl) and International prostate symptom score (IPSS) before, during, and after the induction course. A urologist documented AE using Common Terminology Criteria for AE (CTCAE criteria)., Results: A total of 56 patients, receiving a total of 296 bladder instillations (BCG n = 27, CHT n = 14 and MMC n = 15). FACT-Bl showed statistically significant differences in the fourth week in favor of CHT versus BCG, IPSS did not show statistically significant differences before, during, and after induction course in all 3 arms. All patients recovered their baseline QoL at the end of the induction treatment. Overall 55.5%, 50% and 20% of patients presented any grade of AE in the BCG, CHT and MMC groups respectively. About 7% of patients in BCG and CHT arms had to discontinue treatment due to AE. BCG and CHT showed a similar rate of AE but in CHT were mostly grade I and BCG had grade I, II, and IV. Passive MMC had the safest profile., Conclusion: There are no clinically significant differences between BCG, CHT, and passive MMC regarding QoL and lower urinary tract symptoms during the induction course. CHT has a more favorable AE profile when compared with BCG., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: The standard diagnosis of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder, based on white light cystoscopy and urine cytology, is limited because CIS can vary from normal-appearing mucosa to a lesion indistinguishable from an inflammatory process. Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) remains first-line therapy; however, a significant proportion of cases persist or recur after BCG treatment. This review summarizes recent improvements in the detection and treatment of CIS., Recent Findings: The new optical technologies improve CIS detection, with a potential positive impact on oncological outcomes. The usefulness of MRI-photodynamic diagnosis fusion transurethral resection in CIS detection is unclear and further studies are needed. BCG instillation remains the first-line therapy in CIS patients and seems to improve recurrence and progression rates, especially with the use of maintenance. Intravesical device-assisted therapies could be effective in both BCG-naïve and BCG-unresponsive CIS patients, but further studies are ongoing to clarify their clinical benefit. A phase II clinical trial with pembrolizumab has shown the potential effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in BCG-unresponsive CIS patients and further trials are ongoing., Summary: New optical techniques increase the CIS detection rate. BCG instillation remains the first-line treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors could be a future alternative in BCG-naïve and BCG-unresponsive CIS patients.

Background and Objective: Intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is essential for preventing the recurrence and progression of superficial bladder tumours. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of the Connaught and Tice strains, as well as the importance of the maintenance regimen., Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 patients with superficial bladder tumours who underwent adjuvant endovesical treatment. The patients were distributed into 3 groups, based on whether the treatment was with the Connaught strain, the Tice strain or both sequentially. We calculated the relapse-free survival rate in each group and compared the patients who completed the maintenance treatments against those who did not. To identify the predictors of relapse, we performed a multivariate analysis. We also assessed the toxicity by analysing the onset of BCGitis, urinary urgency, fever, urinary tract infection and treatment withdrawing due to adverse effects., Results: We found no differences in the efficacy parameters. The patients in the Connaught group completed the maintenance to a lesser extent (38.4 vs. 72% for the Tice group and 76.3% for both groups; P=.010). The patients who completed the maintenance had better relapse-free survival at 60 months (88.5 vs. 74.2%; P=.036), regardless of the strain employed. The multivariate analysis identified a size larger than 3cm, more than 3 implants and not completing the maintenance as risk factors of relapse. The patients with the Connaught strain had higher rates of BCGitis, with no differences in the other events studied., Conclusion: Completing the maintenance phase is essential, regardless of the strain employed. The Connaught strain has a greater risk of BCGitis, and a sequential regimen could be useful in certain scenarios., (Copyright © 2017 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)