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Suramin is an antitrypanosomal agent with antineoplastic activity, but with serious systemic side effects. We administered Suramin intravesically to determine a concentration with low toxicity but with evidence of a pharmacodynamic effect, to recommend a dose level for phase II trials. This was an open-labelled, non-randomized dose-escalation phase I study. In all, 12 patients with a history of recurrent superficial bladder cancer were grouped into four dose levels (10-150 mg ml(-1) in 60 ml saline). Six catheter instillations at weekly intervals were used. Cystoscopy and biopsy were performed before and 3 months after the start of treatment. Suramin was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and urinary protein profile using surface-enhanced laser desorption ionisation mass spectroscopy (SELDI). Minimal systemic absorption of Suramin was found at the highest dose of 150 mg ml(-1). Urinary VEGF was affected by Suramin at doses above 50 mg ml(-1), corresponding to the estimated threshold of saturation of Suramin binding to urine albumin. SELDI showed a specific disappearance of urinary protein peaks during treatment. Intravesical Suramin shows lack of toxicity and low systemic absorption. The results of this phase I trial support expanded clinical trials of efficacy at a dose of 100 mg ml(-1) intravesically.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/sj.bjc.6602650

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Cancer

Publication Date

20/06/2005

Volume

92

Pages

2140 - 2147

Keywords

Administration, Intravesical, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antineoplastic Agents, Carcinoma, Transitional Cell, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Humans, Male, Maximum Tolerated Dose, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Recurrence, Local, Proteinuria, Suramin, Treatment Outcome, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A