Upper tract low-grade urothelial cancer (UTUC): a new non-surgical treatment alternative

Low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC} is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. A rare, aggressive and difficult-to-treat disease. It affects the lining of the kidneys and is associated with high rates of recurrence and death. the eighth deadliest neoplasm in men in the US with an estimated annual incidence of 2 per 100,000 population in Western countries. 

Why is this cancer considered “low grade”? 

This type of cancer is less aggressive and progresses slowly. However, as with all cancers, if not treated in time and properly, it can cause serious health problems, including permanent kidney damage.  

Current treatment approaches for low-grade UTUC involving removal of the affected kidney are: 

– Minor surgery, including endoscopic resection/management. 

– Conservative, observes whether the tumor returns after removal through minor surgery or biopsy. 

– Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), a radical surgery that removes the entire kidney and ureter. 

Jelmyto: the 1st non-surgical treatment for the disease.  

It was approved by the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) and Jelmyto®, the first and only non-surgical treatment against low-grade urothelial cancer (LG-UTUC) is now available on the American market.1 

With the new treatment, surgical intervention can be avoided and the patient's quality of life is preserved.  

Proven effectiveness in adult patients. 

The drug Jelmyto® is being used to treat adult patients. In a study of people who received the Jelmyto® treatment, in 58% of the cases the tumors disappeared at the beginning of the treatment and the majority of the patients remained without tumors for the next 12 months. 

How Jelmyto® works. 

Jelmyto® is a combination of chemotherapy (mitomycin) and an innovative technology that makes the liquid introduced into the body turn into a gel at body temperature. 

The main therapeutic concept is chemo-ablation and kidney preservation (ablation is the removal of a part of the body or the destruction of its function, here in reference to the tumor). 

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects the entire body, Jelmyto® is applied only to the area affected by tumors, where it stays for 4 to 6 hours, killing cancer cells. 

Once a week for 6 weeks. 

Jelmyto® is administered through a catheter once a week for 6 weeks. It can be done in the doctor's office, in an outpatient clinic or in the hospital, but without the need for hospitalization. In general, the patient is released on the same day. 

Count on Masters for access to treatments not yet available in Brazil. 

In Brazil and other South American countries, treatments and medicines prescribed abroad are guaranteed by the constitution, if they are not available locally. Masters has partnerships with the most important American and world pharmaceutical companies and provides total assistance in import, storage, release and final delivery to the patient. 

References: 

1 – UroGen Pharma. The first and only FDA-approved treatment for low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (LG-UTUC). Available in: https://www.jelmyto.com/ Accessed in September 2021.