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the benefits of Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC[®]), notably its impact on recurrence
risk and ability to help urologists make the best bladder cancer management
choices for their patients.
The EAU annual meeting is one of the largest international meetings in the
urology calendar, showcasing the latest and most relevant clinical and
scientific advancements in this area of patient care. This year’s event was held
on March 21-24, 2025, and attracted urologists from all over the world.
Photocure participated with its Hexvix[®] product designed for better detection
and resection of bladder tumors under the theme that “Seeing is believing”. As
in the past two years, Photocure will make 2025 EAU bladder cancer session
highlights available to healthcare professionals after the event, by means of
video interviews with the presenters of these sessions at the Photocure booth
B28. This successful initiative is once again supported by two of the leading
names in Bladder Cancer in Europe, Prof. M. Rouprêt, APHP, Sorbonne University
Paris, France and Prof. P. Gontero, Division of Urology, University of Studies
of Torino, Italy.
In addition to this educational activity, the EAU scientific program prominently
features Photocure’s Hexvix product and/or the blue light cystoscopy procedure
in which it is used. In particular, two notable abstract presentations were:
The impact of PDD on recurrence and progression in BCG-treated NMIBC* patients:
a nationwide follow-up study (Abstract session 39: Sunday, March 23[rd], 5:15pm
CET - NMIBC: Advances in diagnosis and follow-up)
This nationwide cohort study investigates the association of PDD on recurrence
and progression risk in BCG-treated NMIBC patients, using Danish registry data
from 2009-2022 assessing patients treated with BCG for primary NMIBC.
In the study, 4318 patients from the Danish registry were identified with a
first-time NMIBC diagnosis that were treated with BCG. Of the study subjects,
2388 (55%) of patients were diagnosed with the assistance of PDD. Basic
demographics, stage and grade was comparable between the two groups. There were
no differences in BCG-response across exposure groups. Age adjusted relative
risk of recurrence was 0.88 (0.79 - 0.97) and 0.97 (0.89 - 1.05) at 1 and 5
years, respectively for the PDD-group compared to the non PDD-group. Age
adjusted relative risk for progression was 0.93 (0.73 - 1.19) and 1.01 (0.84 -
1.21) at 1 and 5 years, respectively for the PDD-group.
The authors conclude that, since the BCG-response across exposures were equal,
the reduced risk of recurrence at 1 year was likely due to the detection effect
of PDD: “The present study did not support the hypothesis of PDD modulating the
BCG-response in NMIBC patients, suggesting a different mechanism for the impact
of PDD on recurrence and progression in BCG-treated NMIBC patients.”
Read the abstract: UROsource
-centres/EAU25/262112/abstract
Trans Urethral Laser Ablation of bladder tumors under local anesthesia: A
prospective study of pain and recurrences
(Abstract session 50: Monday, March 24[th], 12:30pm CET - NMIBC: Innovations and
outcomes 2)
This study investigated the short- and long-term oncology safety regarding
recurrence and progression as well as perioperative pain after office-based
Transurethral Laser Ablation (TULA) or fulguration by PDD-assisted flexible
cystoscopy.
This prospective observational study enrolled eligible patients from August 2017
to June 2022 at Oslo University Hospital. 329 patients were enrolled, with a
median age of 74 years. The median NRS (numeric rating scale) for perioperative
pain was 4 (IQR: 3-5) for both the laser and fulguration group. The 12-month
relapse-free survival (RFS) was 91% overall, 93% for fulguration, and 89% for
laser ablation. The 12-month PFS was 94% for the laser group and 97% for the
fulguration group.
The authors conclude that office-based TULA under local anesthesia using PDD
-assisted flexible cystoscopy is associated with low perioperative pain and does
not compromise short- or long-term RFS or PFS. Therefore, it is a feasible
option regarding perioperative pain and oncological safety.
Read the abstract: UROsource
-centres/EAU25/262903/abstract
“These new study data presented at EAU continue to emphasize the importance of
using Blue Light Cystoscopy in the diagnostic pathway for bladder cancer.
Minimally invasive procedures are on the rise and these abstracts also address
data gaps in the long-term use of BLC in high-risk patients, where accurate
staging determines all further treatment decisions”, said Anders Neijber, Chief
Medical Officer of Photocure. “BLC has been shown to clinically increase TURBT
quality, more accurately stage disease, and enable better recurrence monitoring
to help improve the lives of patients with bladder cancer.”
During the EAU Congress, on March 21, Photocure, in collaboration with Olympus,
also hosted a well-attended scientific event on ‘Precision Imaging in Bladder
Cancer: Focus on Blue Light Cystoscopy’. The event, chaired by Ms. Bernadett
Szabados (UCLH, London, UK) and Professor Christian Beisland (Haukeland
University Hospital, Bergen, Norway), brought together leading experts who
exchanged insights on the importance of advanced imaging technologies in
urology. This collaboration between Photocure and Olympus underscores a shared
commitment to innovation in cancer imaging and improving patient outcomes.
*NMIBC: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
**TURBT: trans-urethral resection of bladder tumors
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This press release may contain product details and information which are not
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About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer ranks as the 8[th] most common cancer worldwide - the 5[th] most
common in men - with 1 949 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)[1a],
614 000 new cases and more than 220 000 deaths in 2022.[1b]
Approx. 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men.[1] It has a high
recurrence rate with up to 61% in year one and up to 78% over five years.[2]
Bladder cancer has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all
cancers.[3]
Bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients
have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. There
is an urgent need to improve both the diagnosis and the management of bladder
cancer for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike.
Bladder cancer is classified into two types, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
(NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), depending on the depth of
invasion in the bladder wall. NMIBC remains in the inner layer of cells lining
the bladder. These cancers are the most common (75%) of all BC cases and include
the subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and T1 lesions. In MIBC the cancer has
grown into deeper layers of the bladder wall. These cancers, including subtypes
T2, T3 and T4, are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.[4]
[1 ]Globocan. a) 5-year prevalence / b) incidence/mortality by population.
Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed [February 2024].
[2 ]Babjuk M, et al. Eur Urol. 2019; 76(5): 639-657
[3 ]Sievert KD et al. World J Urol 2009;27:295-300
[4 ]Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html
About Hexvix[®]/Cysview[®] (hexaminolevulinate HCl)
Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that preferentially accumulates in cancer cells in the
bladder, making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC[®]). BLC
with Hexvix/Cysview, compared to standard white light cystoscopy alone, improves
the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual
tumors, and better management decisions.
Cysview is the tradename in the U.S. and Canada, Hexvix is the tradename in all
other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview/Hexvix directly in the U.S.
and Europe and has strategic partnerships for the commercialization of
Hexvix/Cysview in China, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Please refer
to Our partners for further information on our
commercial partners.
About Photocure ASA
Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to
improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making
cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients
worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo
Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at
www.photocure.com/news
For further information, please contact:
Dan Schneider
President and CEO
Photocure ASA
Email: ds@photocure.com
Erik Dahl
CFO
Photocure ASA
Tel: +4745055000
Email: ed@photocure.com
Media and IR enquiries:
Geir Bjørlo
Corporate Communications (Norway)
Tel: +47 91540000
Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no
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