World first trial of bladder treatment a success
A world first research trial led by South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) Head of Urology Professor Dickon Hayne has shown that a new potential treatment for bladder cancer is effective and safe.
The SMHS sponsored SUBDUE-1 trial was run by Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) to investigate the injection of an immunotherapy drug, Durvalumab, directly into the bladder wall.
Durvalumab is commonly used to treat several cancers that have spread including bladder cancer and has previously been injected into a vein.
Professor Hayne said the success of the trial opens the way for further studies of treatment options for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, with the potential to change how the disease is managed globally.
"Bladder cancer is one of the 10 most prevalent cancers worldwide," Professor Hayne said.
“This trial explored using a new immunotherapeutic cancer agent early in the cancer treatment pathway, with the ultimate goal of preventing people needing to have the bladder removed.
“Our results show injecting the drug directly into bladder wall is safe and targets the cancer without immune-related side-effects.”
Professor Hayne was the lead author of the article about the trial recently published in the British Journal of Urology International (external site).
He thanked all involved in the trial including his colleagues from SMHS and acknowledged Sally Longley from FSH Medical Illustrations for her design work.
“Many thanks also to the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) for funding the trial and especially to the patients for agreeing to participate,” he said.
“The trial was led by the University of Western Australia but would not have been possible without support from South Metropolitan Health Service as sponsor.
“I am very proud to be part of a health provider which values research so highly.”
The trial was funded by an ANZUP Below the Belt grant and the Spinnaker Foundation.
