Radiofrequency-Induced Thermo-Chemotherapy Effect (Rite) for Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treatment: Current Role and Perspectives

Abstract

Although many treatment modalities and schedules for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) exist, all yet prove to have limitations and the search for new therapeutic strategies continues. Among these, the combination of intravesical chemotherapy and microwave-induced local hyperthermia has been investigated and clinically tested during more than 15 years.

Objective

An updated review of intravesical radiofrequency (RF)-induced thermo-chemotherapy effect (RITE) for NMIBC with regard to efficacy, adverse events (AEs) and perspectives.

Evidence Acquisition

An extensive and sensitive search for RF-induced chemo-hyperthermia in Medline, Embase, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was performed. A table of published clinical trials up to 2016 was constructed. No meta-analysis could be performed on the basis of new papers.

Evidence Synthesis

Recurrence was seen 59% less after RITE than after mitomycin C (MMC) alone in adjuvant clinical setting with an overall bladder preservation rate after RITE of 85%. The efficacy was proved to be comparable to that of Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin (BCG), based on a single comparative multicentric study. Due to short follow-up, no conclusions can be drawn about time to recurrence and progression. The AE rate in RITE was higher, although not statistically significant, than MMC alone and similar to that of BCG, albeit different in the type of AE. In almost all studies, no severe AEs are reported.

Conclusions

RITE appears as a promising treatment option for NMIBC, particularly for high-risk patients with recurrent tumors, for those unsuitable for radical cystectomy and when Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin treatment is contraindicated. Further high-level evidence is needed for both reliable and reproducible data on efficacy and adverse events.