Photodynamic versus white light-guided treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a study protocol for a randomised trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness

Zafer Tandogdu, Rebecca Lewis, Anne Duncan, Steven Penegar, Alison McDonald, Luke Vale, Jing Shen, John D. Kelly, Robert Pickard, James N. Dow, Craig Ramsay, Hugh Mostafid, Paramananthan Mariappan, Ghulam Nabi, Joanne Creswell, Henry Lazarowicz, John McGrath, Ernest Taylor, Emma Clark, Graeme MaclennanJohn Norrie, Emma Hall, Rakesh Heer (Lead / Corresponding author),

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    Abstract

    Introduction: Bladder cancer is the most frequently occurring tumour of the urinary system. Ta, T1 tumours and carcinoma in situ (CIS) are grouped as non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which can be effectively treated by transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). There are limitations to the visualisation of tumours with conventional TURBT using white light illumination within the bladder. Incomplete resections occur from the failure to identify satellite lesions or the full extent of the tumour leading to recurrence and potential risk of disease progression. To improve complete resection, photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) has been proposed as a method that can enhance tumour detection and guide resection. The objective of the current research is to determine whether PDD-guided TURBT is better than conventional white light surgery and whether it is cost-effective.

    Methods and analysis: PHOTO is a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial (open parallel group, non-masked and superiority trial) comparing the intervention of PDD-guided TURBT with standard white light resection in newly diagnosed intermediate and high risk NMIBC within the UK National Health Service setting. Clinical effectiveness is measured with time to recurrence. Cost-effectiveness is assessed within trial via the calculation of incremental cost per recurrence avoided and incremental cost per quality-adjusted life per year gained over 3 years and over long term through a modelling exercise over patients' lifetime.

    Ethics and dissemination: Formal ethics review was undertaken with a favourable opinion, in line with UK regulatory procedures (REC reference number: 14/NE/1062). If reductions in time to recurrence is associated with long-term patient benefits, the cost-effectiveness evaluation will provide further evidence to inform adoption of the technology. Findings will be shared in lay media such as patient and charity forums and will be presented at key meetings and published in academic literature. Trial registration number ISRCTN84013636.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere22268
    Number of pages9
    JournalBMJ Open
    Volume9
    Issue number9
    Early online date3 Sept 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019

    Keywords

    • bladder cancer
    • cost effectiveness
    • health economics
    • photodynamic diagnosis
    • quality of life
    • sample biorepository

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Medicine

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