Currently, over 25 centers in the United States are studying a drug investigational for a rare form of cancer of the upper bladder.
Upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is the name of this type of cancer. It affects the lining and bladder of the kidney.
UTUC can be either high-grade or very low-grade. The high-grade disease requires that the kidney or both of their kidneys be removed. Low-grade UTUC may be treated with a special scope.
The high incidence of tumor recurrence after surgery to remove it is a problem. Repeat procedures are often necessary. A quarter of patients suffering from low-grade, untreated UTUC need to have their kidneys and ureters removed due to disease progression.
In the United States, approximately 7,500 new cases are diagnosed each year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs for the treatment or prevention of UTUC.
The way that the body works is what makes it difficult to treat UTUC. Urothelial cell carcinomas of the bladder can be treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy that is instilled in a bladder and administered directly to the affected cells. This is a very difficult approach in the kidneys and ureter, as the urine quickly washes away the medication before it can work.
“It is exciting to have a clinical trial underway to study an investigational drug that may allow chemotherapy drugs to remain in the upper tract for a prolonged time,”Diane Zipursky Quale is the co-founder of Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.
A well-designed clinical trial is the best way for investigators to find out if a drug is safe, effective, and has a reasonable balance of benefits and risks.
“The OLYMPUS study may shift how low-grade UTUC is treated in the future,”Karim Chamie MD MSHS, Associate Professor in Urology at UCLA, says. “As a urologist, I am excited about the possibility of providing an alternative to surgery for my patients diagnosed with low-grade UTUC.”
Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in clinical trials that could be used for low-grade UTUC treatment, such as the OLYMPUS study.
You can also visit www.bcan.orgOr visit www.clinicaltrials.govTo find a site for clinical trials in your area, please call (NCT02793128).
