DRUG RELEASE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING BLADDER CANCER WITH GEMCITABINE

Abstract

Drug delivery devices and methods are provided for administering gemcitabine to a patient in need of bladder cancer treatment by intravesical administration of gemcitabine into the patient's bladder to achieve a sustained urinary concentration of gemcitabine in the bladder sufficient to produce a therapeutically effective concentration of gemcitabine in the bladder tissues. In embodiments, the local administration into the patient's bladder is in an average amount of from 1 mg / day to about 300 mg / day of gemcitabine (FBE).