Factors explaining recurrence in patients undergoing chemoimmunotherapy regimens for frequently recurring superficial bladder carcinoma

Objectives: To study the factors determining new recurrences in patients with frequently recurring superficial bladder tumors. Methods: Of all 205 eligible patients, each received 5 weekly intravesical instillations of mitomycin C (MMC), with the first instillation given perioperatively. This was followed, according to randomization, by BCG instillations alone or by alternating instillations of interferon-a and BCG monthly for up to 1 year. Impact of 12 variables on time to first recurrence was retrospectively studied with the Cox multiple hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: Type of regimen was the most significant factor determining new recurrences, with preceding recurrence rate being the most important prognostic factor. Timing of the first MMC was the third significant predictor in the main multivariate analysis, with more than a two-fold relative risk for a new recurrence if the first MMC instillation was given later than on day 0. Conclusion: Preceding recurrence rate, most accurately reflects, in patients with frequently recurring tumors, the inherent risk for new recurrences. This risk can be considerably reduced by use of an effective chemoimmunotherapy regimen, and in addition, by inclusion of an early perioperative chemotherapy instillation in such a regimen. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.