Accelerated MVAC as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Abstract

235 Background: Meta-analysis data demonstrate a 5% absolute survival benefit for the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using cisplatin-based combination regimens in the radical treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, there is currently no randomized controlled trial data on the optimum regimen for this setting. Accelerated MVAC (AMVAC) is effective in advanced disease, and has the potential advantage over other NAC regimens of minimising delays to definitive, potentially curative therapy. We present data regarding its use as NAC in MIBC patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on all 80 consecutive patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, treated during a 50-month period at 2 U.K. centers. Patients received either 3 or 4 cycles of methotrexate 30mg/m2, vinblastine 3mg/m2, doxorubicin 30mg/m2 and 4-hour infusion of cisplatin 70mg/m2 at 2-week intervals, with G-CSF support, prior to definitive therapy with either radical surgery (RS) or radical radiotherapy (RT). Results: All planned cycles of chemotherapy were completed in 84% of patients. All 80 patients received their planned definitive therapy. Pathological complete response (pCR) was seen in 43% of 60 patients treated with surgery following chemotherapy. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths and grade 3 or 4 toxicities were seen in 11% of patients. Median duration of chemotherapy was 34 days. Dose reduction or delay was required in 7% and 9% of patients, respectively. Objective radiological local response was seen in 75% of patients. At a median follow-up of 27.5 months, 25 (32%) patients have relapsed and 11 (14%) died. Two-year disease-free survival was 65% overall, and was statistically significantly superior in patients who were radiologically node-negative prior to chemotherapy. Conclusions: AMVAC is a safe, well-tolerated, and easily deliverable regimen with excellent treatment outcomes and minimizes delays to definitive treatment. It is an appropriate comparator for future randomized trials. No significant financial relationships to disclose.