Comparison of gemcitabine and anthracycline antibiotics in prevention of superficial bladder cancer recurrence

BACKGROUND: Because of the failure, shortage and related toxicities of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the other intravesical chemotherapy drugs are also widely used in clinical application. Gemcitabine and anthracycline antibiotics (epirubicin and pirarubicin) are widely used as first-line or salvage therapy, but which drug is better is less discussed. METHODS: A total of 124 primary NMIBC patients administered intravesical therapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) at Nanjing Drum Tower hospital from January 1996 to July 2018. After TURBT, all patients accepted standard intravesical chemotherapy. Recurrence was defined as the occurrence of a new tumor in the bladder. Progression was defined as confirmed tumor invading muscular layer. Treatment failure was defined as need for radical cystectomy (RC), systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. RESULTS: Of the 124 patients who underwent intravesical chemotherapy, 84 patients were given gemcitabine, 40 patients were given epirubicin or pirarubicin, with mean follow-up times (mean ± SD) of (34.8 ± 17.9) and (35.9 ± 22.1) months respectively. The clinical and pathological features of patients show no difference between two groups. Recurrence rate of patients given gemcitabine was 8.33% (7 out of 84), the recurrence rate was 45% (18 out of 40) for epirubicin or pirarubicin (P < 0.0001). The progression rates of gemcitabine, anthracycline antibiotics groups were 2.38% (2 out of 84) and 20% (8 out of 40), respectively (P < 0.001). The rate of treatment failure is 8.33% (7 out of 84) and 25% (10 out of 40), respectively (P = 0.012). Gemcitabine intravesical chemotherapy group was significantly related to a lower rate of recurrence (HR = 0.165, 95% CI 0.069–0.397, P = 0.000), progression (HR = 0.160, 95% CI 0.032–0.799, P = 0.026) and treatment failure (HR = 0.260, 95% CI 0.078–0.867, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, gemcitabine intravesical chemotherapy group was significantly related to a lower rate of recurrence, progression and treatment failure. Gemcitabine could be considered as a choice for these patients who are not suitable for BCG.