Hexvix guided fluorescence cystoscopy reduces recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
PhotoCure announces a publication in Journal of urology on Hexvix. This publication shows that Hexvix guided fluorescence cystoscopy (Hexvix®), as an adjunct to conventional white-light cystoscopy, improves the detection of bladder cancer and reduces the rate of early tumour recurrence, compared with white-light cystoscopy alone.
The publication is based on Photocure's prospective, randomised study conducted in 28 centres in Europe and North America. The study demonstrated that by using Hexvix®-guided fluorescence cystoscopy Ta/T1 tumours that had not been seen under conventional cystoscopy were detected in 47 (16%) of the patients with Ta or T1 tumours (p=0.001). Of these tumours that were only seen using Hexvix cystoscopy, 28 (59%) were medium-grade tumours (G2), and 19 were tumours of high risk of recurrence and progressions (high grade or T1). Furthermore, 32% of the patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS, a, high-grade aggressive cancer) were identified only by Hexvix®-guided fluorescence cystoscopy.
The study group, led by H. Barton Grossman, Professor of Urology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA, also reports a 16% relative reduction of bladder tumours recurrence in patients with Ta /T1 tumours assessed with Hexvix®-guided fluorescence cystoscopy, compared with white-light cystoscopy alone (p=0.026). At 9 months' follow up, there was a 9% absolute decrease in recurrence in the Hexvix® group, compared with white-light cystoscopy alone, which means that only 11 patients needed to undergo the procedure to avoid one recurrence.
The group also report reduced recurrence of aggressive/clinically significant lesions. They found more CIS, T1 and muscle-invasive disease recurrence in the patients who had undergone white-light cystoscopy compared to Hexvix guided cystoscopy (24% vs 16%, respectively, p=0.17).
As the paper points out, improved tumour detection is likely to result in more accurate tumour mapping and disease staging, and hence more complete cancer resection. A reduced recurrence rate is an objective marker for these benefits.
Other news from the department research and development
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
