Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c27294) has announced the addition of Superficial Bladder Cancer - Current Mangement and Future Trends to their
offering.
Superficial bladder cancers (SBC) comprise tumours with low aggressiveness but a high recurrence rate as well as lesions with a high risk of progression. All SBC are amenable to
intravesical therapy and treatment failure is associated to a considerable discomfort for patients that may eventually require aggressive surgery. The current intravesical chemotherapies
and immunotherapies have so far shown limitations in reversing the natural history of the disease. For these reasons a load of research has been devoted in the development of new
treatment options. Close to 40 different companies has been identified with R&D related activities in this field. New intravesical chemotherapeutic drugs such us gemcitabine (that has
already completed the phase II of studies) and EOquinTM (at the early phase I-II experience) have shown an excellent activity profile. From the point of view of immunotherapeutic agents,
Mycobacterium cell wall DNA complex (MCC) has shown a high response rate in phase I-II studies whereas Imiquimod, a promising new compound based on preclinical studies, will soon engage
in phase I human trials. Analysing the emerging therapeutic strategies shows that drugs inhibiting DNA replication and related mechanisms is the leading strategy, closely followed by
immunostimulators and antiangioenetic drugs. Some minor strategies are apoptotic inducers, oncolytic viruses, tubule/microtubule binders as well as antisense technology. A number of
features make intravesical molecular therapy a feasible new treatment option for SBC. As far as the field of new diagnostic and prognostic tools is concerned, methods to improve the
endoscopic detection of poorly visible bladder cancers and urine biomarkers for the early detection of a recurrent tumour will enable better clinical outcomes and reduce the need for
invasive procedures such us cystoscopy. The 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induced fluorescence may soon become routinely adopted during endoscopic procedures. Among the urine biomarkers,
the Fluorescent in-situ Hybridization (FISH) has been found to be helpful particularly in those cases (not so infrequent) where a urine cytology test has shown "atypical cells" and all
the diagnostic work-up has failed to demonstrate a bladder cancer. New diagnostic opportunities will drive the need for improved therapeutic options and the market for these drugs are
estimated to increase at least 10 percent until 2012.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c27294
Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
Fax: +353 1 4100 980