Gemcitabine and cisplatin versus methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin in locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer

ABSTRACT

This trial was undertaken to compare gemcitabine plus cisplatin [GC] versus methotrexate, vinblastine, doxoruhicin and cisplatin [MVAC] in patients with locally advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] of the bladder. A total of 46 patients with locally advanced [n=21] or metastatic [n=25] TCC of the bladder and with no prior systemic chemotherapy were included in this study. They were randomized to GC [gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and 15, cisplatin 70 mg/m2 day 2] or standard MVAC [methotrexate 30 mg/m2 on days 2, 15, 22, doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 on day 2 and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 2]. The cycles were repeated every 28 days for a maximum of six cycles. It was found that gemcitabine/cisplatin combination is an active and safe treatment option in advanced and metastatic bladder cancer. It is a real alternative to MVAC with the same clinical benefits and significantly improving safety and tolerability