Medscape Medical News recently published an article heralding the POUT clinical trial (NCT01993979). The trial brought evidence that patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy after surgery saw their risk of disease progression drop by fifty-five percent. Results of the trial were published online in the Lancet.
An even more impressive result followed three years later when seventy-one percent of patients who received the platinum-based chemotherapy were found to be disease-free. This compares to forty-six percent of patients who were simply under observation.
The POUT Phase III trial was possibly the largest clinical trial reported for the study of urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract (UTUC). A total of 261 patients were enrolled at 71 hospitals in the UK between June 2012 and November 2017.
The chemotherapy was administered within ninety days after a nephroureterectomy operation. The surgical procedure removes the affected kidney, tumor, ureter, and lymph nodes in the targeted area.
Acute toxicity conformed to existing dates with an acceptable effect on the patients’ quality of life.
As a result of the POUT study, researchers are suggesting that the regimen should become the standard of care for UTUC patients.
About UTUC
UTUC occurs in about 2 out of 100,000 people living in western countries. Early in the disease there are very few symptoms, which translates to a delayed diagnosis.
Over fifty percent of UTUC patients succumb to the disease, even after receiving platinum-based chemotherapy, due to relapse.
Dr. Guru Sonpavde, director of bladder cancer at Dana-Farber, commented that this trial bodes well as an advanced therapy for UTUC patients.
A positive note from the study coordinator who commented that it is challenging to find participants for studies of rare diseases. Therefore, receiving clear evidence of the benefits of the POUT study is encouraging when planning for future trials.
What are your thoughts about what the future holds for patients with UTUC as a result of the POUT trial?Share your stories, thoughts, and hopes with the Patient Worthy community!
