Does the Compliance to Intravesical BCG Differ Between Common Clinical Practice and International Multicentric Trials?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the reasons for intravesical BCG interruption in clinical practice. BCG for at least one year is advocated as the best regimen to treat high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, almost 50% of patients don't complete it. Toxicity accounts for 10% of dropouts in international trials.

Materials And Methods: Patients with T1HG NMIBC undergoing 1-year BCG were enrolled in this study. BCG was administered for one year. Toxicity and causes of treatment interruption were recorded.

Results: A total of 411 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of these total number of patients, 380 (92.5%) completed the induction cycle and 215 (52.3%) completed one year. Toxicity requiring interruption or postponement was recorded in 25 (6.1%) and 60 (14.6%) patients. Ninety-three patients (30.2%) stopped BCG, 9 (9.7%) for recurrence and 14 (15.1%) for grade-3 toxicity. Intriguingly, 55 (59.1%) patients refused BCG due to mild discomfort and deterioration in quality of social life.

Conclusions: Grades 2-3 toxicity causes BCG interruption in a few cases. Almost 60% of interruptions are attributable to persistent grade-1 toxicity, which is inadequately treated.