Thiotepa bladder instillations: therapy and prophylaxis for superficial bladder tumors

Thiotepa versus Bacille Calmette-Guérin in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of intravesical thiotepa was evaluated compared with administration of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

PATIENTS

In this multicenter, prospective, randomized study, eligible patients were those with proven non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. All patients were randomly allocated to Group A, receiving intravesical thiotepa (at a dose of 30 mg/30 ml) once weekly for 9 consecutive weeks and then monthly for 12 months or Group B, receiving intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guérin (Connaught strain, 80 mg/50 ml) over a 9-week induction course and each week for 3 weeks at 3, 6 and 12 months. Outcome measures were recurrence rate, time to first recurrence and progression rate. Treatment-related complications were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventy-two participants were enrolled, 36 for each group, 17 in Group A developed disease recurrence versus 25 of those in Group B (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in mean time to the first recurrence (Group A, 4.2 months; Group B, 4.1 months; p > 0.05). Seven of 17 (41%) patients in Group A and 16 of 25 (64%) patients in Group B had disease progression and underwent radical cystectomy (p < 0.05). Both intravesical administrations were generally well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Thiotepa is a promising intravesical agent for treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Chemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of N,N',N" -triethylenethiophosphoramide (ThioTEPA)

N,N',N" -triethylenethiophosphoramide (thioTEPA) is a trifunctional alkylating agent with a broad spectrum of antitumour activity developed in the 1950s. The drug is now experiencing renewed interest as it appears to be one of the most effective anticancer drugs in high dose regimens. Despite many years of experience with thioTEPA, pharmacologic data are incomplete and controversy remains with respect to the dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of thioTEPA. In recent years greater insight has been obtained into the metabolism of thioTEPA, but there is still a gap between the total urinary excretion of thioTEPA and metabolites and the alkylating activity. In vivo and in vitro studies show that alkylation of DNA by thioTEPA can follow two pathways, but it remains unclear which pathway represents the precise mechanism of action. The currently available sensitive analytical methods for thioTEPA and its metabolites can be used to elucidate the many questions that still exist even so many years after its introduction. An overview is given of the chemistry, pharmacology, clinical use and toxicity of thioTEPA as well as its pharmacokinetics and analytical methods for thioTEPA and its metabolites.

An overview of the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Intravesical chemotherapy

Superficial bladder cancer accounts for approximately 70% to 80% of all newly diagnosed bladder cancers. The vast majority of these cancers are transitional bladder tumors of various histologic grades (I to III). Superficial tumors include carcinoma in situ (CIS), tumors confined to the epithelium (Ta), and superficial tumors that invade the lamina propria (T1) but do not involve superficial muscle layers. The primary treatment for eradication of stage Ta and T1 bladder cancers is transurethral resection of the tumor. Many patients with superficial bladder tumors treated with endoscopic surgery alone have recurrence or tumor progression at some point in their follow-up, and, in these patients, the need for adjuvant treatment becomes a major concern.

Mucocutaneous reactions to chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic agents are a widely used treatment modality. Side effects range from common to unusual and may be confused with other cutaneous sequelae of oncologic treatment. The goal of this communication is to elaborate on previous descriptions of the cutaneous manifestations of chemotherapeutic treatment and to discuss more recent findings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should be able to generate a differential diagnosis of possible etiologies for varying patterns of cutaneous involvement in patients receiving chemotherapy and identify the various cutaneous side effects of chemotherapeutic treatment. In addition, they should be able to distinguish life-threatening side effects that require immediate management from more benign manifestations of chemotherapeutic treatment.

Long-term follow-up of patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder treated by intravesical mitomycin C

Prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy (IVC) reduces recurrence rates of superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. The patient cohort existed of 86 individuals (stage TaN0M0 or T1N0M0) superficial carcinoma of various grades of malignancy. Following initial transuretheral resection or diagnostic cystoscopy, mitomycin C (MMC), 20 mg dissolved in 50 ml saline, was instilled intravesically by catheter over 1 hr at 2-week intervals, initially and then four more times followed by diagnostic cystoscopy (one course = 12 weeks). Two similar courses were administered thereafter for a total period of 36 weeks. For patients in remission, installations continued in monthly fractionations for 9 more months (cystoscopy every 3 months) and then at 2-month intervals for 12 more months (cystoscopy every 6 months). When cystoscopy revealed recurrence, IVC was repeated from the beginning. No symptoms of MMC-related toxicity were observed. Cystoscopic follow-up evaluations showed a complete response rate of 84% at 3 years and 81% at 5 years after initial therapy. Twenty-seven patients who had not responded to previous treatment with other drugs responded to MMC.

A pilot clinical and pharmacological study of intra-arterial infusion of thiotepa

Fourteen patients with progressive localized tumors were treated on a clinical and pharmacological study with intra-arterial Thiotepa. A transfemoral percutaneous catheter was inserted into the major artery supplying the tumor. A venous catheter was inserted into the vein draining the tumor area for blood sampling. Doses of Thiotepa ranged from 0.3 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg. Courses were repeated monthly and doses of drug escalated as tolerated. Toxicity was mild and doses of drug at least up to 0.9-1.0 mg/kg were tolerable. Pharmacokinetic parameters suggest increasing binding of Thiotepa to tissue when the drug is administered by the intra-arterial route. Clinical responses were observed in a patient with melanoma and in another patient with unknown primary cancer.

BCG and the treatment of superficial bladder cancer

In this report, we review the evolution of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy as a legitimate form of treatment in superficial, nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. In the US, an estimated 45,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed each year and the annual death rate approaches 11,000. Approximately 70 percent of these cancers are superficial at the time of initial presentation. The treatment of superficial bladder cancer has three objectives: (1) eradication of existing disease, (2) prophylaxis against tumor recurrence, and (3) prevention of tumor progression (either muscular invasion, metastatic spread, or both). Cystectomy generally is reserved for muscle-invasive disease. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor is the preferred initial therapy. Intravesical instillations of various chemotherapeutic agents following transurethral resection have been extensively investigated. Some of the common agents used include thiotepa, mitomycin, and doxorubicin. Despite such treatment efforts, however, over 40 percent of patients with superficial bladder cancer experience a recurrence of their tumor within three years. Approximately half of these recurrences either present as less-well-differentiated tumors or have already penetrated into the bladder musculature, metastasized, or both. Since Morales et al. first introduced intravesical BCG vaccine for prophylaxis as well as for treatment of superficial bladder tumors in 1976, support has grown rapidly for its use as an alternative to chemotherapy. When used with prophylactic intent following transurethral resection, recurrence rates are lower than those achieved with other agents. In addition, BCG is emerging as the consensus drug of choice for treating carcinoma in situ of the bladder. The mechanisms by which BCG exerts its antitumor activity remain largely unknown. BCG is thought to stimulate a localized, nonspecific inflammatory response that leads to subsequent shedding of tumor cells. A large body of clinical and experimental data suggest an association between the development of an immunologic response to BCG and successful antitumor activity. No universally accepted therapeutic regimen has been agreed upon. One regimen commonly used consists of an ampul of BCG mixed with 50 mL of NaCl 0.9%, instilled once a week for six weeks and retained for two hours prior to voiding. Maintenance therapy generally consists of intravesical doses given at three-month cycles for at least two years of recurrence-free follow-up. Because BCG is a biologic agent, the commercially available products may differ in weight, colony-forming units per vial, and antigenicity. How these product characteristics affect clinical responsiveness to different strains of BCG remains unanswered.

Characterization of cellular infiltrates in the rat urinary bladder following BCG and thiotepa intravesical therapy

We examined rat urinary bladders following intravesical administration of BCG and thiotepa. BCG administration resulted in a relatively greater increase in the mucosal infiltration of mononuclear cells relative to polymorphonuclear cells (P less than 0.01) compared to the thiotepa treated bladders. This finding suggests that the mode of action of the therapeutic effects of these agents may be different. These results may also suggest that the mechanism of action of BCG might be immunologic in nature.

A phase I clinical trial of intraperitoneal thiotepa for refractory ovarian cancer

Treatment options for patients with ovarian cancer who have failed systemic and intraperitoneal (ip) cisplatin-based chemotherapy are limited. We conducted a phase I clinical study of ip thiotepa in patients with refractory ovarian cancer to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Ten patients were given 39 courses of thiotepa (median number of courses per patient, 3.5; range, 1-10+). All patients had received prior ip cisplatin; 7 also had received iv cisplatin, and 5 had three or more prior regimens. Thiotepa (30-80 mg/m2) was given ip in 2 liters normal saline every 4 weeks. The therapy was well tolerated. There was no vomiting, stomatitis, alopecia, or peritonitis. The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. With repeated doses, patients had a delayed marrow recovery and required a 1- to 2-week delay in treatment. Six patients had stable disease (duration 2-14+ months; median duration 5 months); 1 patient had a 50% decrease in CA-125 level, and 1 patient with no measurable disease remained clinically disease-free. In summary, ip thiotepa had clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients with refractory ovarian cancer with disease stabilization seen in 6 of 9 evaluable patients and a partial response seen in 1 patient. Myelosuppression was the only toxicity encountered. A dose of 60 mg/m2 ip is recommended for phase II studies.

Efficacy of intravesical mitomycin C in the treatment of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

We treated 47 patients with recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with intravesical chemotherapy. Twenty milligrams of mitomycin C per treatment was introduced 7 days after transurethral resection (TUR) or diagnostic cystoscopy, and was repeated at 2-week intervals for five times followed again by cystoscopy. Two more similar courses were administered for a total of 36 weeks. Clinical data revealed no toxicity-related symptoms. Cystoscopic follow-up showed a gradual decline in the presence of tumor to a complete response rate of 87.1% at 36 weeks. Thirteen patients who were previously treatment failures with other drugs responded to mitomycin C.

Phagocytic and natural killer cytotoxic responses of murine transitional cell carcinoma to postsurgical immunochemotherapy

Postsurgical immunochemotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum (CP) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) was evaluated in mice with transitional cell carcinoma (MBT-2). C3H/He mice were transplanted subcutaneously in the hind limb with 5 x 10(5) tumor cells. Ten to 14 days later when the tumor reached a diameter of five to seven mm., it was surgically removed. Mice were then randomized into four groups to receive a total of three treatments on days 1, 3 and 5 after surgery: 1) saline (control group); 2) CP, 250 micrograms. into the surgical site; 3) CDDP, 5 micrograms./gm. body weight intraperitoneally; and 4) combined CP and CDDP. Recurrence of tumor occurred in 70%, 52%, 55% and 28% of mice receiving surgery only, CP, CDDP, and combined CP and CDDP respectively. In the second part of the experiment, phagocytic activity using chemiluminescence assay and natural killer (NK) activity using chromium-51 release assay were determined with cells from the peritoneum, spleen and inguinal lymph nodes. CP or CDDP alone enhanced the phagocytic and NK activity. The most significant enhancement was obtained with cells from the inguinal lymph nodes of mice receiving combined CP and CDDP, the group with the lowest tumor recurrence. These results suggest that combination of CP and CDDP may be useful in control of postsurgical recurrence of bladder cancer.

Cellular pharmacology of N,N',N''-triethylene thiophosphoramide

N,N',N''-triethylene thiophosphoramide (Thio-TEPA) is an alkylating agent whose antineoplastic activity has been known for nearly 30 years. Human plasma pharmacokinetic studies revealed the presence of TEPA, a Thio-TEPA metabolite which after 4 h achieved plasma concentrations equal to those of the parent compound. We studied the activity of both Thio-TEPA and TEPA against murine leukemia P388 cells in culture. We found that Thio-TEPA is approximately two-fold more active than TEPA in arresting cell growth (IC50 = 2.8 microM for TEPA and 1.5 microM for Thio-TEPA). In inhibiting [3H]thymidine incorporation, Thio-TEPA and TEPA have the same activity (IC50 = 2 microM for both compounds). Experiments in which drug was removed from cell cultures which were further incubated in drug-free media, revealed that the bulk of the cell damage occurs during the first 4 h of incubation. Cell cultures exposed to 0.5 microM Thio-TEPA for 22 h fully recovered their [3H]thymidine incorporation ability after 24 h of drug-free incubation. Cells exposed to 2.5 microM Thio-TEPA for 22 h partially recovered their ability to incorporate [3H]thymidine. Cells exposed to 10 microM Thio-TEPA for 22 h did not recover their ability to incorporate [3H]thymidine. Gas liquid chromatographic analysis of the media from incubated cells showed that the concentration of Thio-TEPA remained unchanged during the incubations and that TEPA was not present. In Thio-TEPA doses ranging from 0.1 microM to 100 microM, [3H]uridine and [3H]-leucine incorporation were less affected than [3H]thymidine incorporation. This may indicate that a longer observation time may be needed to allow the DNA damage to be expressed in terms of protein or RNA synthesis.

BCG in management of superficial bladder cancer

Superficial bladder cancer and particularly carcinoma in situ has the potential for invasiveness for which the treatment is cystectomy with a resultant disappointing 50 per cent five-year survival and urinary diversion with a certain diminished quality of life. BCG therapy is a new method of treating aggressive superficial bladder cancer with better response rates than conventional chemotherapy. It may be immunologically mediated and, if so, may be the first major success of a therapeutic modality that offers less morbidity than the currently standard options of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.

Treatment of superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter by vesicoureteral reflux of mitomycin C

We report 2 cases of recurrent superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with right vesicoureteral reflux in which superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma developed in the distal ureter with reflux. Both patients received intravesical mitomycin C that was delivered by the vesicoureteral reflux to the tumor sites. Diagnosis and management were facilitated through the use of ureteroscopy, which allowed for accurate pathological staging and surveillance. No systemic toxicity or change in renal function was noted in either patient and both have remained free of recurrent tumor for more than 2 years.

Intravesical chemotherapy

A total of 85 cases treated by intravesical administration of adriamycin (ADM) at Okayama University and other cooperating institutions were examined. Instillation of 50 mg adriamycin dissolved in 30 ml physiological saline was performed in two courses of 3 consecutive days, with a 4-day interval between the courses. The response rate was 70.6%. Following instillation therapy transurethral resection (TUR) was carried out in 69 cases (80%), segmental cystectomy in 7, and total cystectomy in 3. The follow-up period averaged 42 months, during which the recurrence rate was 57%; recurrence occurred within 18 months in 80% of these cases. Since the recurrence per patient-month x 100 was 3.348, the precise effect of intravesical chemotherapy in the prevention of recurrence was unclear. There were 9 cases of advanced disease (11% of the total, 18% of cases with recurrence). One patient with CIS (flat invasive tumor) seemingly achieved CR, but died 43 months after treatment due to metastatic disease. While this method is not always indicated in cases of CIS (flat invasive tumor), in cases in which it is indicated a drug causing only limited stimulation of the bladder mucosa should be used and long-term follow-up is essential.

Generalized hypersensitivity reaction to intravesical thiotepa and doxorubicin

We describe an unusual case of pruritus after intravesical thiotepa, and diaphoresis, shortness of breath, chills and pruritus following intravesical doxorubicin therapy. Such generalized allergic reactions occur uncommonly after bladder instillation of thiotepa or doxorubicin.

Verapamil enhanced in vitro chemosensitivity of a murine bladder carcinoma, FCB

The in vitro enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy by verapamil, a calcium antagonist, was assessed using FCB, a transplantable murine transitional cell carcinoma. Exponentially growing FCB cells were partially resistant to treatment with both thiotepa (10(-4) M) and Adriamycin (10(-5) M), however, there was a significant reduction in cell growth when either agent was administered in combination with verapamil (10(-5) M); the effect was evident over a wide range of drug concentrations (10(-4) - 10(-9) M). There was also a pronounced inhibition of DNA precursor incorporation when verapamil was used in combination with either agent. Fluorometric analysis of Adriamycin uptake indicated that verapamil caused an increase in the intracellular concentration of the agent. The data presented are consistent with the postulate that verapamil enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy by altering cellular permeability to the cytotoxic agents. Our study indicates that the use of verapamil in combination with cytotoxic agents for intravesical chemotherapy of bladder tumors may prove to be beneficial in human patients.

Histopathology of BCG and thiotepa treated bladders

In an effort to characterize the pathophysiological differences between the modes of action of BCG and thiotepa in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer, normal female rats received weekly intravesical instillations of both agents. The animals were sacrificed and their bladders were examined pathologically to determine if there were histological differences between the cellular infiltrates found in the BCG and thiotepa treated bladders. Mononuclear cells, particularly T-cells, predominated in the BCG treated bladders whereas polymorphonucleated cells predominated in the thiotepa treated bladders suggesting that there may be an immune aspect to the former therapy. The presence of T-cells following BCG therapy suggest a T-cell mediated immune response.

A trial of prophylactic thiotepa or mitomycin C intravesical therapy in patients with recurrent or multiple superficial bladder cancers

There were 40 consecutive patients with recurrent or multiple superficial stage Ta or T1 transitional cell cancer assigned randomly to receive prophylactic thiotepa or mitomycin C intravesical chemotherapy. Patients received 8 weekly instillations followed by 22 monthly treatments of either 60 mg. thiotepa or 40 mg. mitomycin C. Of 25 patients randomized to receive mitomycin C 4 had recurrence in a total of 337 patient-months (1.19 per 100 patient-months), while disease recurred in 1 of 15 patients randomized to receive thiotepa who were followed for a total of 220 patient-months (0.45 per 100 patient-months). No significant difference in recurrence rate was noted for either drug group (p equals 0.18). Toxicity requiring cessation of therapy was observed in 7 patients (28 per cent) on mitomycin C and none on thiotepa.

Cutaneous side effects of cancer chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic agents are used with increasing frequency to treat a wide variety of neoplastic and inflammatory disorders. These drugs may inadvertently affect the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails, producing many undesirable reactions including alopecia, stomatitis, hyperpigmentation, hypersensitivity reactions, and photosensitivity. Awareness of these relatively common complications may help physicians caring for patients on these medications.

In the search for new anticancer drugs. XV. Various aliphatic and aromatic hydrazones containing the N,N;N',N'-bis(1,2-ethanediyl)phosphoric diamide moiety

The scope of the structure-anticancer activity relationship among various aliphatic and aromatic hydrazones containing the N,N,N',N'-bis(1,2-ethanediyl)-phosphoric diamide moiety was studied. A total of 19 compounds were tested in vivo, using murine lymphocytic leukemia P388. At optimum dose all these compounds were active. The highest activity was exhibited by the N,N;N',N'-bis(1,2-ethanediyl)-[N2-(p-chlorobenzylidene)-N1- hydrazin-1-yl]phosphoric triamide, N,N;N',N'-bis(1,2-ethanediyl)-N2-(p-chlorobenzylidene)-N1- methylhydrazin-1-yl]phosphoric triamide and N,N;N',N'-bis(1,2-ethanediyl)-[N2-(p-chlorobenzylidene)-N1- phenylhydrazin-1-yl]phosphoric triamide as is evidenced by the percent T/C of 212, 194 and 192, respectively. An attempt was made to correlate the anticancer activities with the corresponding lipophilicities. On the basis of the activity-lipophilicity results, it is concluded that, in general, the activity scale follows the lipophilicity scale in the reverse order, i.e. the more active compounds possess lower lipophilicity than the less active compounds.

The management of superficial bladder tumors and carcinoma in situ with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin

A phase II study was performed to assess the role of bacillus Calmette-Guerin as a prophylaxis against recurrent stages O and A bladder tumors, and in the treatment of existing superficial bladder tumors and carcinoma in situ. Tice strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin (1 vial, 2 to 8 times 10(8) organisms in 60 cc saline) was instilled intravesically without cutaneous inoculation. Instillations were given weekly for 6 weeks and then monthly or until recurrence in 22 patients with a history of recurrent tumors, while 22 with existing stages O and A transitional cell carcinoma, and 19 with carcinoma in situ were treated weekly for 8 weeks and then monthly for 12 months or until failure. Complications included cystitis in 88 per cent of the patients (severe in 20 per cent), fever in 15 per cent, a flu-like syndrome in 13 per cent, edema and pruritus in 1.5 per cent, and ureteral stenosis in 1.5 per cent. Twelve patients (19 per cent) did not complete the study owing to toxicity. Of the patients in the prophylaxis group 67 per cent have had no tumor recurrence 10 to 26 months (mean 15 months) after therapy. Of the patients with existing tumors 36 per cent had complete regression following bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy and 23 per cent had a partial response. Among the patients with carcinoma in situ 13 (68 per cent) had reversal to normal urothelium and 3 (16 per cent) had marked improvement. None of the patients had recurrence at 11 to 20 months. Intravesical Tice strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin is effective as a prophylaxis against recurrent superficial bladder tumors and in the treatment of carcinoma in situ.

Intravesical chemotherapy of superficial bladder tumors in a controlled trial with cis-platinum versus cis-platinum plus hyaluronidase

Twenty-three patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were randomized for intravesical chemotherapy with either cis-platinum or cis-platinum plus hyaluronidase, an enzyme promoting diffusion factor. Treatment was administered at 3-week intervals and checked for efficacy by repeated cystoscopies after every three instillations. Hematologic and biochemical tests were repeated prior to each treatment and, these, in additional to the cystoscopic findings, served for final evaluation of results and toxicity. The complete response rate was found to be superior with cis-platinum than with cis-platinum plus hyaluronidase. The complete plus partial response rates were equal in both groups. We conclude that the addition of hyaluronidase to cis-platinum revealed no superiority to cis-platinum alone, and both modes of treatment showed similar clinical efficacy as other drugs previously used for intravesical chemotherapy.

Intravesical ethoglucid (Epodyl) for treatment of noninvasive bladder cancer (stage Ta)

Widespread, well differentiated (grade I) bladder tumours confined to the mucosa (stage Ta) were treated with regular intravesical instillations of ethoglucid (Epodyl) in 24 patients. The therapeutic schedule could be followed in all but one patient, in whom side effects necessitated cessation of treatment. Complete response was obtained in 75% of the patients, and during continued prophylactic therapy 90% remained tumour-free. After termination of the treatment, however, new tumours appeared in 60-80% of the patients.

Cancer chemotherapy: alternative routes of drug administration. A review

This review covers recent developments in regional cancer chemotherapy, including the pharmacological background, technical progress, and clinical experience. Intrathecal chemotherapy is an approach that has acquired an established place, although its ultimate potentials are not known yet. The therapeutic value of hepatic intraarterial drug infusion is still unclear, although this route has been used for more than 20 years. Furthermore, the evaluation of alternative routes via the pleural and peritoneal cavities and other arteries is still in an experimental phase. Interest in these treatment modalities has been stimulated by a number of recent developments in separate fields. Major technical advances have been made, including surgically placed and totally implantable elastic catheters and subcutaneous portals and pumps. In addition, a pharmacokinetic model describing the fate of drugs administered via an artery or cavity has been developed. These developments have made it possible not only to design randomized studies and treat a larger number of patients in a relatively short time with reduced morbidity, but also to improve greatly the selection of drugs, target organs, and administration schedules. Ongoing clinical studies can be expected to lead to improved treatment results as well as provide data on dose-response relationships and drug schedule dependency for specific tumor types.

Verapamil enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy in human bladder cancer cells

The calcium influx blocker verapamil has been used to overcome drug resistance in several tumor systems. The possible in vitro enhancement of drug efficacy was assessed in bladder cancer cell line T24. Combination of thiotepa and doxorubicin hydrochloride with verapamil significantly reduced the survival and growth of T24 cells after as little as 1 hour of drug exposure. An increase in doxorubicin hydrochloride-induced inhibition of [3H]thymidine uptake resulted when verapamil was administered. However, this trend was not demonstrated when combined with thiotepa. It appears that verapamil enhances thiotepa-induced cytotoxicity while it potentiates the antimitotic nature of doxorubicin hydrochloride. The data presented is consistent with the postulate that verapamil alters active efflux of drug from malignant cells and suggests that verapamil has a role in the clinical management of bladder cancer.

Bilateral primary carcinoma of the ureter: topical intraureteral thiotepa

We report a rare case of bilateral simultaneous ureteral carcinoma. Management included instillation of thiotepa into the remaining ureter via a subcutaneous conduit after reoperation for recurrence.

Adjuvant chemotherapy of superficial transitional cell bladder carcinoma: preliminary results of a European organization for research on treatment of cancer. Randomized trial comparing doxorubicin hydrochloride, ethoglucid and transurethral resection alone

Patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were entered in a randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacies of transurethral resection alone or followed by bladder instillation of doxorubicin hydrochloride or ethoglucid (Epodyl) for 1 year. Results showed that adjuvant chemotherapy with the selected drugs prolonged the mean interval between recurrences. Mild systemic toxicity and chemical cystitis were observed in 3 and 3 per cent, respectively, of the patients given ethoglucid, and in 5 and 4 per cent, respectively, of those taking doxorubicin.

Mitomycin C intravesical therapy in noninvasive bladder cancer after failure on thiotepa

Mitomycin C 40 mg in 40 ml water was administered intravesically every week for 8 consecutive weeks to 60 patients with superficial bladder cancer. All patients had failed treatment with intravesical thiotepa and had evaluable disease. An objective response of 50% or greater reduction in measured tumor mucosal involvement was obtained in 68% of patients. Forty-two percent of the patients achieved a complete response, and this included 50% of patients with Grade III disease and 70% of patients with a T1 tumor. Median response duration in complete responders was 12.2 months with a range of 3.5 to 24.3 + months. Fifty-five percent of patients are still responding. Therapy was generally well tolerated, and in contrast to thiotepa, myelosuppression was not the dose-limiting effect. One third of all patients experienced symptoms of local irritation, and skin reactions were seen in 12% of patients.

Cooperative studies of chemoprophylaxis after transurethral resection of bladder tumors

Large cooperative trials are more likely than series studied by small groups to bring about significant progress in the field of intravesical adjuvant chemotherapy of superficial bladder tumor. Multicenter randomized trials involving large numbers of patients have been conducted in Europe by the EORTC Urological Group. The Group's main objectives were to compare the efficacy of thio-TEPA, VM-26, epodyl, Adriamycin, and cisplatin, against no treatment, and to study the prophylactic effect of oral pyridoxine and evaluate the main prognostic factors. The results obtained so far are reported. Preliminary information is also given about the Blinst study, a multicenter open investigation of local chemotherapy with doxorubicin (Adriamycin), with special reference to evaluation of the importance of different modalities of treatment with a single drug.

Cutaneous complications of chemotherapeutic agents

Increasing numbers of chemotherapeutic agents are being used to treat patients with cancer and various immunologically mediated and inflammatory disorders. Many of the drugs used have distinctive cutaneous side effects that range from relatively common ones, such as alopecia, stomatitis, and hyperpigmentation, to more unusual ones, such as radiation enhancement and recall phenomena, photosensitivity and hypersensitivity reactions, and phlebitis or chemical cellulitis. In addition, there are some rare complications such as diffuse sclerosis of the hands and feet, Raynaud's phenomenon, sterile folliculitis, and flushing reactions. By being aware of which drug may have caused a particular cutaneous reaction, dermatologists will be able to contribute to the care of patients with complex problems in a meaningful way.