The role of taxanes in the management of bladder cancer

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a chemosensitive neoplasm. Whereas the MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) regimen was long considered the standard of care for patients with advanced disease, the evaluation of newer agents with retained activity and improved tolerability has been the focus of much investigation over the past decade. Among the most important of these newer agents are taxanes. Whereas taxane-containing regimens have not yet been shown to improve the survival of patients with transitional cell carcinoma in randomized trials, ongoing phase III trials will further define the role of these agents in both the perioperative and advanced disease settings.