Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Therapy for Bladder Cancer: An Update (original) (raw)

A prospective comparative study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of 2 different doses of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, 2020

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is widely used as an immunotherapeutic agent and recommended in management of non− muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). There is no consensus on the optimal dose of the BCG. However, dose reduction has been assessed to decrease the side effects following instillation of BCG. This study compared the efficacy and safety of 80 and 120 mg doses of Sii Onco BCG (Moscow I, Russian strain) in patients with NMIBC. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed, completely resected solitary or multiple Ta or T1 (with or without carcinoma in situ), grade 1 to 3 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were included. After transurethral resection of the tumor, repeated intravesical instillations with Sii Onco BCG (80 or 120 mg) were administered, following the induction and 3 weekly maintenance schedule (at 3, 6, 9, 15, 21, 27, and 33 months). Recurrence and progression of the tumor were monitored at scheduled time intervals using cystoscopy. Results: A total of 104 eligible patients were enrolled to receive 80 mg (n = 51) dose or 120 mg dose (n = 53) of Sii Onco BCG. On completion of 3 years follow-up, recurrence-free survival rate of 84.31% and 86.79% and progression-free survival rate of 84.31% and 94.34% were observed for 80 and 120 mg groups, respectively; difference being statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: Both, 80 and 120 mg doses of Sii Onco BCG are effective and safe for prophylaxis and management of NMIBC.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection following intravesical BCG administration as adjunctive therapy for bladder cancer: incidence, risk factors, and outcome in a single-institution series and review of the literature

Medicine, 2014

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the most effective intravesical immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. Although generally well tolerated, BCG-related infectious complications may occur following instillation. Much of the current knowledge about this complication comes from single case reports, with heterogeneous diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and no investigation on risk factors for its occurrence. We retrospectively analyzed 256 patients treated with intravesical BCG in our institution during a 6-year period, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months after the last instillation. We also conducted a comprehensive review and pooled analysis of additional cases reported in the literature since 1975. Eleven patients (4.3%) developed systemic BCG infection in our institution, with miliary tuberculosis as the most common form (6 cases). A 3-drug antituberculosis regimen was initiated in all but 1 patient, with a favorable outcome in 9/10 cases. There were no significant differ...

BCG treatment for bladder cancer, from past to present use

International Journal of Urological Nursing, 2014

Since the turn of the 20th century Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has been in and out of favour. However, only a small proportion of patients, as low as 16%, complete what is seen as a gold standard treatment. To understand why it is the gold standard treatment the epidemiology and aetiology of NMIBC is presented. This article discusses how BCG was first discovered in cows to it being used as a treatment for NMIBC. The issues of side effects which can be from mild to severe and local to systemic, will be discussed. The impact of age in the tolerance of this treatment will be also be looked at. In conclusion, with BCG treatment being the preferred option for NMIBC, it also comes with significant side effects. It is these that should be of concern to the health care professional as they can be potentially life threatening.

Bacillus calmette-guérin failures and beyond: contemporary management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Reviews in urology, 2008

In the United States, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the treatment most used for superficial bladder cancer. Patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) treated with intravesical BCG plus interferon have a 60% to 70% chance of a complete and durable response if they were never treated with BCG or if they failed only 1 prior induction or relapsed more than a year from induction. Intravesical gemcitabine is safe, but its usefulness for BCG-refractory patients is unclear. Valrubicin, approved for intravesical treatment of BCG-refractory CIS of the bladder, has efficacy and acceptable toxicity. Cystectomy should be considered in high-risk, non-muscle-invasive cancer, particularly if intravesical therapy failed.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment: a review of the literature

British Journal of Urological Nursing, 2014

Bladder cancer is the second most common urological cancer in the UK, with over 10 000 cases diagnosed annually. With 80% of urothelial bladder cancers being non-muscle invasive, it is important to understand the treatments available. This review aims to identify and review the literature regarding bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment. An integrative-based review was conducted to generate a broad overview of the existing knowledge for BCG treatment. An open search of online databases was conducted to identify articles published in English from the earliest date available to September 2013, using key terms related to BCG. A significant number of articles were identified. To narrow the results and identify the most relevant articles, the search terms were cross-referenced. The resulting articles were then reviewed using the critical appraisal skills programme framework. The tools provided by CASP give a systematic, transparent and rigorous approach to the quality assessment of research studies. The research articles were then categorized under the following headings: side effects, including local, systemic and age; quality of life; and attrition. The major conclusion from this literature review is that BCG treatment, when given through an induction and maintenance regime, significantly reduces the risk of progression and recurrence. However, there are potential side effects which the patient and the nurse need to be aware. This review also highlighted that there is a lack of research from the UK and that there is a paucity of research showing why patients withdraw from BCG treatment

The side effects of bacillus calmette-guerin in the treatment of TA Ti bladder cancer do not predict its efficacy: Results from an eortic genito-urinary group phase III trial

European Urology Supplements, 2003

Objectives: Previous publications have suggested that patients developing local and/or systemic side effects to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) have a better clinical result, however it is necessary to determine if toxicity is responsible for improved efficacy. Methods: After transurethral resection, intravesical instillations of BCG were given during a 6-week induction course followed by 3-weekly maintenance courses at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. The prognostic importance of delaying or stopping BCG due to local and/or systemic side effects was assessed in 487 patients. Results: Patients with local BCG side effects had a significantly longer time to first recurrence, suggesting that side effects are related to efficacy. However patients with a better outcome remain on study for a longer period of time and receive more BCG, thus increasing their risk to develop side effects. To prove whether toxicity is responsible for improved efficacy, the prognostic importance of toxicity occurring prior to the 6 month instillations was assessed using the landmark method. Neither local nor systemic BCG toxicity prior to 6 months was related to subsequent recurrence. Conclusions: While a correlation between BCG toxicity and efficacy exists, this study does not confirm that BCG toxicity is actually responsible for an improved outcome. #