Chemosensitivity of human bladder cancer cells in long-term culture and clinical responses to the selected anticancer drug.

In vitro sensitivity of an established cell line from human urinary bladder cancer to various chemotherapeutic agents was determined by 14C-leucine incorporation into the target cells. Of 12 drugs tested, Carboquone, Neocarzinostatin, Actinomycin D, Adriamycin, Mitomycin C and Chromomycin A3 produced intensive cytotoxic effects, while Thio-Tepa, Bleomycin, 5-Fluorouracil and Vincirstine were less cytotoxic, Intravesical instillation of Carboquone, one of the most toxic agents in vitro, resulted in complete or partial tumor remission in 6 of 9 patients with bladder cancer. Prophylactic effects of periodic intravesical Carboquone were also indicated in 7 of 8 patients who had experienced recurring superficial bladder tumors.