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Immunotherapy of Cancer pp 51–59Cite as

BCG

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Abstract

Intravesical instillation therapy is currently being used in the management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Its main objectives constitute of treatment of existing or residual cancer, prevention of tumor recurrence, prevention of disease progression, and prolongation of survival. The initial clinical stage and grade of bladder cancer remains the main determinant factors in survival, irrespective of the treatments. Intravesical chemotherapy has shown a decrease in short-term tumor recurrence rates, but has had no positive impact on disease progression or prolongation of survival.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy remains the most effective treatment and prophylaxis modality for NMIBC and CIS and results in a positive outcome on tumor recurrence, disease progression, and prolongation of survival. Although intravesical treatment with BCG instillation is widely accepted as the therapy of choice, the development of BCG-resistant bladder cancer remains a major setback. Thus, there is an urgent need for a major effective therapy for bladder cancer patients who are unresponsive to BCG immunotherapy. This chapter summarizes briefly the recent highlights and advances in BCG immunotherapy against NMIBC and CIS.

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Abbreviations

ADR:

Adriamycin

BCG:

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin

CIS:

Carcinoma in situ

CTL:

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte

MIBC:

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer

MMC:

Mitomycin C

NK:

Natural killer

NMIBC:

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

PC:

Prostate cancer

RCC:

Renal cell carcinoma

TUR:

Transurethral resection

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Engineering/Urology, Faculty of Health Science, Aino University, 4-5-4 Higashioda, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0012, Japan

    Yoichi Mizutani M.D.

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  1. Yoichi Mizutani M.D.
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Correspondence to Yoichi Mizutani M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Oncology, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan

    Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi

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Mizutani, Y. (2016). BCG. In: Yamaguchi, Y. (eds) Immunotherapy of Cancer. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55031-0_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55031-0_4

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