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Alternative bladder cancer treatment emerges amid worldwide shortage of standard of care BCG (Available & “inexpensive” gemcitabine and docetaxel)
Medical Xpress / University of Iowa / JAMA Network Open ^ | Feb. 28, 2023 | Jennifer Brown / Ian M. McElree et al

Posted on 03/01/2023 9:02:06 AM PST by ConservativeMind

An on-going, worldwide shortage of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) means that many patients with a common and serious type of bladder cancer have limited access to this effective standard of care treatment. But for the first time in almost 50 years, there appears to be a viable treatment alternative.

A new study finds that a safe, inexpensive combo-chemotherapy is better tolerated than BCG and is better at preventing high-grade cancer recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S., and NMIBC accounts for about 75% of bladder cancer cases. High-risk NMIBC has a significant risk of both recurrence and progression. Typical treatment for high-risk NMIBC involves surgical removal of the tumor followed by treatment with BCG.

The new approach, which was developed by Michael O'Donnell, MD over 10 years ago, replaces BCG with a combination of two inexpensive, readily available chemotherapy drugs—gemcitabine and docetaxel (gem/doce). Based on this pioneering research from the UI, other major cancer centers have increasingly adopted this regimen, as well. Most recently, a UI study published in 2022 showed that 82% of patients with high-risk NMIBC who were treated with gem/doce instead of BCG remained cancer-free two years after treatment.

With the new study, Packiam, O'Donnell and their UI colleagues address that limitation by retrospectively comparing outcomes of 312 patients who received either gem/doce or BCG over a 10-year period.

The study found that gem/doce provided better recurrence-free survival in patients with high-risk NMIBC compared to BCG, and fewer patients who received gem/doce therapy discontinued their treatment compared to patients who received BCG.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: bladder; bladdercancer; cancer; treatment
A better tolerated treatment with a great outcome is easily available and should be used.
1 posted on 03/01/2023 9:02:06 AM PST by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 03/01/2023 9:03:56 AM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Hmm, it occurs to me perhaps that necessity may be like a parent to invention in some sense. Maybe there is a way to codify this in a proverb...


3 posted on 03/01/2023 9:12:31 AM PST by AndyTheBear
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To: ConservativeMind
Sounds good to me....after a round of bladder cancer tumor removal and treatments with BCG, I had 10 new tumors in my bladder within 5 months.

As I am just now starting treatment with Sloan Kettering I will be sure to ask about this...

Thanks so much for posting this....God bless....

4 posted on 03/01/2023 9:42:04 AM PST by Victor (If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
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To: ConservativeMind

Alternatives always exist. The question is and has always been : HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY?


5 posted on 03/01/2023 9:46:33 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: Victor

Have a look at

https://www.rsny.org/

Most insurance, Medicare, Medicaid accepted.

They discuss all alternatives with you, the pros and cons, including their treatment.


6 posted on 03/01/2023 9:49:09 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
Thank you.

Whether it's hype or not, Lederman claims a 95% success rate.

Can't ignore that, is spite of the media and medical establishment onslaught against him. They have been relentless....

Still, my scientific/objective side says.."keep it on the back burner"

7 posted on 03/01/2023 10:14:42 AM PST by Victor (If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
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To: ConservativeMind
A better tolerated treatment with a great outcome is easily available and should be used.

I am presently undergoing this treatment. The first round of six treatments one week apart shows marked improvement in my bledder. It has been with out any side effects at all.

8 posted on 03/01/2023 12:10:49 PM PST by dearolddad
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To: Victor

Here’s a possible alternative:

https://www.seagen.com/science/pipeline

Look under Enformutab Vendotin

KEYNOTE905 Study is underway.

https://www.seagen.com/science/pipeline/enfortumab-vedotin

It’s called an Antibody-Drug Conjugate. An antibody targets key protein on a cancer cell. Lands on the cell. Attached to the antibody is chemotherapy. The chemo is linked by a linker molecule. Cancer cell disolves the link and the cancer cell commits apoptosis (cell death or cell suicide).

Think of it as a nasty form of uber eats for cancer. The chemo only goes to the cancer cells, and none other.

It’s a new day for cancer treatment.

You’re in my prayers.


9 posted on 03/01/2023 12:17:22 PM PST by RinaseaofDs
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To: ConservativeMind

My paternal grandmother died of bladder cancer when my dad was 8 years old.


10 posted on 03/01/2023 12:18:14 PM PST by murron
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To: RinaseaofDs
Thank you for this.

God bless you...

11 posted on 03/03/2023 6:06:19 PM PST by Victor (If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
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