A new treatment called TAR-200 has shown promise in eliminating tumors in patients with high-risk bladder cancer that did not respond to immunotherapy. The therapy, which uses a slow-release drug delivery system, successfully cleared cancers in 82% of participants in a phase 2 clinical trial.
The study, known as SunRISe-1, was conducted globally and included 85 patients diagnosed with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer that had recurred after treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Participants received TAR-200 every three weeks for six months, followed by quarterly treatments over the next two years.
The results were promising, with 70 participants showing a complete response to the therapy. In many cases, this response persisted after 12 months. The treatment was generally well tolerated, with few adverse effects reported.
TAR-200 is a small, pretzel-shaped device that contains the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine and is inserted into the bladder using a catheter. Researchers believe that extending the drug’s contact time with the bladder lining allows for deeper tissue penetration and improved cancer cell eradication.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted TAR-200 a New Drug Application Priority Review, which may accelerate the evaluation process. The findings of the clinical trial are considered a breakthrough in treating certain types of bladder cancer, leading to improved outcomes and saved lives.
Source: https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/tar-200-eliminates-tumors-in-82-of-high-risk-bladder-cancer-patients-403437