Recent developments in chemotherapy for bladder cancer

Invasive bladder cancer is a chemotherapy-sensitive neoplasm. Historically, the development of cisplatin (Platinol)-based chemotherapy regimens has re presented an important advance for patients with metastatic disease. More r ecently, investigations of new agents, such as gemcitabine (Gemzar) and pac litaxel (Taxol), have resulted in further options for these patients, Rando mized trials comparing new regimens with cisplatin-based therapies have bee n initiated. The role of chemotherapy in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setti ngs is an area that is undergoing active investigation. The application of prognostic biological markers to risk-stratify patients has resulted in new a venues of investigation in these ongoing early disease trials.