Modified induction course: A solution to side-effects?

Side-effects are commonly manifested during intravesical Bacillus Calmette- Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy of superficial bladder cancer. This often causes delays or interruptions of the instillations and consequently reduces the efficacy of treatment. Treatment strategies aimed at reducing the side-effe cts of BCG immunotherapy while maintaining efficacy are currently being con sidered in the search for an optimal treatment regimen. The following two a pproaches to BCG immunotherapy were investigated at the Department of Urolo gy of Padova University by specific Phase II and ill trials designed to eva luate the possibility of reducing BCG-related side-effects without compromi sing therapeutic efficacy: (1) by reducing the dose of BCG per instillation 'low-dose' regimen, (2) by delaying the interval of the instillations 'slo w-rate' regimen. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.