Critical shortage in BCG immunotherapy: How did we get here and where will it take us?

Michael Harvey; Bodie Chislett; Marlon Perera; Nathan Lawrentschuk; Damien Bolton; Gregory Jack

doi:10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.09.022

Critical shortage in BCG immunotherapy: How did we get here and where will it take us?

Urol Oncol. 2022 Jan;40(1):1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.09.022. Epub 2021 Nov 5.

Authors

Michael Harvey¹, Bodie Chislett², Marlon Perera³, Nathan Lawrentschuk⁴, Damien Bolton², Gregory Jack²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre at Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Urology, Western Health, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: michael.harvey@austin.org.au.
² Department of Urology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre at Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
³ Department of Urology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre at Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Urology, Western Health, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Uro-Oncology Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 34750053
DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.09.022

Abstract

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, one of the most successful bio-therapies to date, has been the gold standard treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer for 44 years. International shortages have necessitated rationing this life-saving medication with deleterious effects on the primary treatment of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Understanding the history of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin gives us insight into the current shortages and future perspectives for novel immunotherapy opportunities against this deadly disease.

Keywords: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine; Bladder cancer; Immunotherapy; Tuberculosis.

MeSH terms

Adjuvants, Immunologic / supply & distribution*
Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
BCG Vaccine / supply & distribution*
BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use
Humans
Immunotherapy
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy

Substances

Adjuvants, Immunologic
BCG Vaccine