Hexvix® can improve the overall survival in bladder cancer patients
In a retrospective study Hexvix fluorescence-guided bladder resection significantly improved overall survival and recurrence free survival compared to resection performed with standard white light.
Photocure ASA is pleased to note that a study on the impact of Hexvix® on survival in bladder cancer patients has been published in the World Journal of Urology.
The study investigated the impact on survival in bladder cancer patients of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD)-guided bladder tumor resection (TUR-BT), including that guided by Hexvix (hexaminolevulinate (HAL)).
The findings from this retrospective study of 224 patients demonstrate for the first time that Hexvix guided TUR-BT in bladder cancer patients, who later progressed to requiring radical cystectomy (RC), significantly increased the three year overall survival (p=0.037) and the median three year recurrence free survival (p=0.002) compared to patients in the comparator group.
Dr. Georgios Gakis of the Department of Urology, Eberhard-Karls University at Tuebingen, Germany and lead author, stated: “These data indicate for the first time that improved patient management with HAL-guided TUR-BT can make a difference in outcomes even for those bladder cancer patients who later progress to advanced disease and require radical cystectomy.”
Kjetil Hestdal, President and CEO of Photocure, said: “These exciting data add to the growing clinical evidence that Hexvix/Cysview makes a positive impact on the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer in multiple patient types. We believe the continuously increasing adoption of Hexvix/Cysview guided TUR-BT will bring significant clinical and health economic benefit to urologists, patients and payers fighting the disease.”
Bladder cancer, which affects 550,000 people in the U.S. and 500,000 in Europe has a high recurrence rate, up to 61% in one year and 78% over five years, making the lifetime costs of managing bladder cancer one of the highest of all cancers.
About Photocure ASA
Photocure ASA, headquartered in Oslo Norway, is a specialty pharmaceutical company and world leader in photodynamic technology. Based on our unique proprietary Photocure Technology® platform, Photocure develops and commercializes highly selective and effective solutions within disease areas with high unmet medical need, such as bladder cancer, HPV and precancerous cervical lesions, colorectal cancer and skin conditions. Our aim is to provide solutions, which can improve health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). Information about Photocure is available at www.photocure.com.
About Hexvix/Cysview
Hexvix/Cysview (hexaminolevulinate hydro-chloride) is an innovative breakthrough technology in the diagnosis and management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. It is designed to selectively target malignant cells in the bladder and induce fluorescence during a cystoscopic procedure using a blue light enabled cystoscope. Using Hexvix/Cysview as an adjunct to standard white-light cystoscopy enables the urologist to better detect and remove lesions, leading to a reduced risk of recurrence. Hexvix/Cysview is approved in Europe and US.
