Presentations and programs focused on the results from the Nordic Registry study demonstrated the benefits of blue light cystoscopy (BLC) in detecting bladder cancer at the American Urological Association Annual Congress 2023, held April 28 – May 1, 2023, in Chicago.
The Nordic Registry is a prospective, observational multicenter study which includes patients undergoing flexible blue light cystoscopy for suspicion or surveillance of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in an outpatient setting. The registry collects data on patient demographics, bladder cancer history, findings under blue light and white light, patient preference, discomfort, and treatment.
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The study highlighted that BLC in surveillance of NMIBC improves the detection of malignant lesions, enhances physicians’ confidence, and may reduce patients’ tumor burden through immediate fulguration.
In addition, Photocure ASA, a company focused on improving technologies to manage bladder cancer, sponsored an educational CME session entitled “How the Experts Treat NMIBC During a BCG Shortage – Integrating Recent Approvals and Investigational Therapies.”
Poster Session
On April 28, Consultant Urologist Karsten Zieger, MD, PhD, Lillebælt Hospital, Department of Urology, Vejle, Denmark, presented results from a real-world evidence study during a moderated poster session. This Nordic Registry study, which is supported by Photocure, included data from 319 patients and 436 Blue Light Flexible Cystoscopies performed in the surveillance of NMIBC.
The study results showed that flexible blue light cystoscopy with Hexvix/Cysview, as an adjunct to white light cystoscopy for surveillance of NMIBC, improves the detection of malignant lesions. In the study, biopsies were taken from 452 lesions, showing malignancy in 126/409 (31%) lesions positive for blue light. In 86 of the cystoscopies (20%), lesions were identified only by blue light. Furthermore, study results showed this procedure improves surgeons’ confidence in identifying clinically important lesions, with physicians reporting benefit of BLC in 367/436 (84%) of the cystoscopies.
The combination of blue light cystoscopy with immediate fulguration of tumors in an outpatient setting may positively affect the patients’ burden in NMIBC. The impact on patients’ overall outcome is the target of future evaluations.
How the Experts Treat NMIBC During a BCG Shortage
The Photocure-sponsored CME event “How the Experts Treat NMIBC During a BCG Shortage – Integrating Recent Approvals and Investigational Therapies” on April 28 covered insights on novel treatment strategies and diagnostics, including a segment on blue light cystoscopy with Hexvix/Cysview. During this satellite symposium, Joshua Meeks MD, PhD, associate professor of Urology and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, presented information on the use of BLC technology as a useful tool to find patients for these new interventional treatments, especially in a post-BCG setting.
“We analyze and track the presence of BLC scientific discussions and clinical presentations at major urology conferences. Both at EAU and AUA, presentations highlighted the value BLC provides in detection and in supporting a complete resection; while other sessions explained clinical benefits of BLC in real-world settings, related to TURBTs and surveillance,” says Anders Neijber, chief medical officer, Global Medical Affairs and Clinical Development and R&D at Photocure. ““Overall, we observe an increased interest and attention in BLC at domestic and international medical conferences and within peer-reviewed publications, underscoring the value of BLC in bladder cancer care.”
In addition to the scientific program, BLC received a lot of attention at the Photocure and Karl Storz booths. The continued collaboration on commercializing Karl Storz’s high-definition rigid BLC system Saphira at AUA allowed uro-oncologists to get hands-on experience with the new blue light device.
“We are pleased with the high engagement of the medical and scientific community at AUA and are excited about the change that we can make collectively to improve the lives of patients with bladder cancer,” says Geoff Coy, vice president and general manager North America at Photocure.
