The efficacy of intravesical instillation of domestic BCG versus epirubicin in the prevention of recurrence of intermediate-risk or high-risk non-muscular invasive bladder cancer and predictive factors of BCG instillation: a randomized, controlled, multi-center clinical trial with 2 years’ follow-up / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the 2 years’ efficacy of intravesical instillation of domestic BCG versus epirubicin in the prevention of recurrence of intermediate-risk or high-risk non-muscular invasive bladder cancer and predictive factors of BCG instillation.Methods:From July 2015 to June 2020, 18-75 years old patients with moderate to high-risk non muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) confirmed by pathological examination were involved. The ECOG score was 0-2. Exclusion criteria included ①immune deficiency or impairment (such as AIDS), using immunosuppressive drugs or radiotherapy, suspected allergic to BCG or epirubicin or excipients of the two drugs, fever or acute infectious diseases including active tuberculosis or receiving anti tuberculosis treatment, with severe chronic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases or chronic kidney disease; ②combined with other urogenital system tumors or other organ tumors; ③combined with muscle invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (≥T 2); ④undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy within 4 weeks (immediate instillation after surgery not included); ⑤ pregnant or lactating women; ⑥ comfirmed or suspected bladder perforation; ⑦gross hematuria; ⑧cystitis with severe bladder irritation that may affect the evaluation; ⑨participat in other clinical trials within 3 months; ⑩alcohol or drug addiction; ?any risk factors that may increasing the risk of patients. Epirubicin 50 mg was irrigated immediately after the operation(TURBT or laser resection). The patients were randomly divided into BCG15 group, BCG19 group and epirubicin group by the ratio of 2∶2∶1, and the patients were maintained intravescical instillation for 1 year. The recurrence and adverse events of the three groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to predict the risk factors of BCG irrigated therapy failure. Result:By June 15, 2020, the median follow-up duration was 22.1 months(12.1, 32.3), and there was no statistical difference between the groups ( P=0.9024). There were 274 patients enrolled in BCG19 group, 277 patients enrolled in BCG15 group and 130 patients enrolled in the epirubicin group. The drop-off rate was 16.6%(113 cases)and made no difference between groups( P=0.6222). There were no significant difference in age, gender, BMI, or ECOG score( P>0.05). During the follow-up, 116 cases was detected recurrence or progression. The recurrence rate of the three groups was 14.2% and 14.8% in BCG19 group and BCG15 group, and 27.7% in the epirubicin group. There was no difference in recurrence rate between BCG19 and BCG15 group( P=0.9464). The recurrence rate of BCG19 group was lower than that of the epirubicin group ( P=0.0017). The recurrence rate of BCG15 group was lower than that of the epirubicin group ( P=0.0020). There was no difference in the cumulative recurrence free survival rate between BCG19 and BCG15 group (95% CI0.57-1.46, P=0.7173). The cumulative recurrence free survival rate of BCG 19 group was better than that of the epirubicin group( HR=0.439, 95% CI0.26-0.74, P=0.0006), and the cumulative recurrence free survival rate of BCG15 group was better than that of the epirubicin group ( HR=0.448, 95% CI0.29-0.80, P=0.0021). The total incidence of adverse events in 19 BCG19, BCG15 and epirubicin group were 74.5%, 72.6% and 69.8% respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of adverse events between BCG19 and BCG15 group( P=0.6153). The incidence of adverse events in epirubicin group was lower than that of BCG19( P=0.0051) and BCG15( P=0.0167) groups.There was no significant difference in the incidence of serious adverse events (SAE) among the three groups ( P=0.5064). Log rank test univariate analysis and Cox risk regression model multivariate analysis showed that the history of bladder cancer recurrence( HR=6.397, 95% CI1.95-20.94, P=0.0001)was independent risk factor for BCG irrigation failure. Conclusions:The 2 years’ efficacy of intravesical instillation of domestic BCG is better than than of epirubicin with good tolerance and safety. There is no difference between BCG19 and BCG15 group. BCG doesn’t increase SAE compared with epirubicin. Recurrence status was an independent prognostic factor regarding recurrence-free survival.