Camptothecin analogues/cisplatin: An effective treatment of advanced bladder cancer in a preclinical in vivo model system

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the camptothecin analogs on human TCC xenograft, both as monotherapy and in combination with cisplatin (CDDP). Materials and Methods: Human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) xenograft tumor line (DU4184) tested by subrenal capsule assay in 112 nude mice(NM-SRCA). CDDP and the camptothecin analogs irinotecan (CPT-11) and 9-aminocamptothecin(9-AC) were evaluated. Results: Both of the camptothecin analogs showed significant short term tumor inhibition which translated into enhanced survival. Maximal tumor inhibition (>95%) was achieved when either of the camptothecin analogs was combined with CDDP with minimal host toxicity. This translated into 400% increase in median survival. While all controls were dead 39 days following tumor implantation, none of the combination treated animals had died. Conclusion: The combination of CDDP with these camptothecin analogs is an effective therapy against this model of advanced TCC. These observations suggest potential clinical value.