A new pretzel-shaped device has shown remarkable results in treating a common and deadly form of bladder cancer. The device, called TAR-200, slowly releases chemotherapy drugs directly into the bladder, eliminating tumors in 82% of patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
According to Dr. Sia Daneshmand, director of urologic oncology at Keck Medicine of USC and lead author of a study, this device represents a “breakthrough” in treating certain types of bladder cancer. The treatment has been proven effective for nearly half of patients, with 70 out of 85 patients showing significant improvement.
The most common type of bladder cancer is non-muscle-invasive, where the disease remains in the bladder’s lining and hasn’t reached the muscle layer. For these patients, standard treatment often involves immunotherapy drug Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). However, this treatment isn’t effective for everyone, with up to 40% of patients experiencing no response or cancer recurrence.
To address this issue, researchers developed the TAR-200 device, which is inserted into the bladder via catheter and slowly releases chemotherapy drug gemcitabine over three weeks. The study involved treating 85 patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who had relapsed after BCG therapy. In just three months, 70 of these patients showed significant improvement.
While side effects were mild, including urinary symptoms such as frequent urination and burning, the results have been promising. Several clinical trials are currently underway to explore the TAR-200 device and its slow-release delivery system.
The FDA has granted priority review status for the TAR-200 device, aiming to complete the review within six months instead of the usual 10. This represents a significant step forward in treating bladder cancer, with an estimated 17,420 deaths expected in 2025 according to the American Cancer Society.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/08/14/health/new-pretzel-shaped-device-cured-82-of-bladder-cancer-patients