Dr. Munver on the Utilization of Mitomycin Gel in GU Cancers

Ravi Munver, MD, vice chairman, chief, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urologic Surgery, Department of Urology, Hackensack University Medical Center, discusses the utilization of mitomycin gel (Jelmyto) in genitourinary (GU) cancers.

Mitomycin gel is a chemotherapeutic agent that is used to treat low-grade, upper tract urothelial carcinoma, Munver explains. Mitomycin had been an established chemotherapy agent, and the liquid form has been utilized to treat bladder cancers, Munver says. However, patients with tumors in their ureters or kidneys have not had an effective treatment option outside of surgery, and recurrence of these tumors has been frequent, Munver notes.

Prior agents did not have the ability to remain in the ureter or kidney to properly treat tumors, Munver says. Mitomycin gel is the first agent that provides an effective method to treat low-grade, upper tract cancers of the ureter and the kidney by remaining on the disease site for a longer period, and this treatment option can help reduce recurrence, Munver concludes.