Tissue polypeptide antigen for monitoring of advanced bladder cancer after MVEC chemotherapy

58 patients with advanced bladder cancer were treated with MVEC chemotherapy (methotrexate, vinblastine, epirubicin and cisplatinum). 22 patients suffered from locally advanced disease (pT3-4 M0 N0), in 20 patients regional lymph node metastases were found (pT3-4 N1-3 M0). In 16 patients distant metastases were noted (pT1-4 N0-1 M1). In 89% transitional cell and in 11% squamous cell cancer or anaplastic carcinoma was seen. Complete response was noted in 45%, partial response in 23% and no response in 32%. Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) was registered before each course of chemotherapy and 3 months after the last application. The sensitivity for (pT3-4 N0 M0) tumors was 90.9%, for (pT3-4 N1-3 M0) 100% and for tumors with distant metastases 100% also, overall 96.6%. No statistically significant different values between each tumor group were found. In 85.7% a concordant reaction of TPA values and clinical status was notable. In conclusion, TPA has been proven as a valuable and a reliable marker for monitoring therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer.