Study shows Photocure's Hexvix significantly improves overall survival in bladder cancer

Norwegian photodynamic technology specialist Photocure (PHO: OL) has published data on a retrospective study showing Hexvix (hexaminolevulinate) fluorescent-guided bladder resection improves overall survival and recurrence-free survival, compared to resection performed with standard white light.

The study investigated the impact on survival in bladder cancer patients of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD)-guided bladder tumor resection (TUR-BT), including that guided by Hexvix. The study of 224 patients showed for the first time that Hexvix-guided bladder tumor resection in bladder cancer patients, who latter progressed to requiring radical cystectomy, significantly increased the three-year overall survival, and the median three-year recurrence-free survival compared to patients in the comparator group.

Kjetil Hestdal, president and chief executive of Photocure, said: "These exciting data add to the growing clinical evidence that Hexvix/Cysview makes a positive impact on the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer in multiple patient types. We believe the continuously increasing adoption of Hexvix/Cysview guided TUR-BT will bring significant clinical and health economic benefit to urologists, patients and payers fighting the disease."