INTRAVESICAL SURAMIN IN THE PREVENTION OF TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA

Objectives. To examine the effects of intravesical suramin on N-methyl -N-nitrosurea (MNU)-induced bladder tumors in Fischer 344 rats. Method s. Multiple cohorts of female rats received four biweekly intravesical instillations of MNU. A control group received no other treatment, th e experimental group received 25 mg/kg intravesical suramin twice a we ek beginning at week 6. Results. After 18 weeks from the first instill ation of MNU, 60% to 65% of control animals developed papillary transi tional cell carcinoma, compared with only 0% to 10% of the suramin-tre ated animals (P = 0.01 to P = 0.0007). There was no local or systemic toxicity observed. Conclusions. Intravesical suramin is an effective c hemopreventative therapy for transitional cell carcinoma in vivo with minimal toxicity.