USANZ hailing new treatment for bladder cancer a success as it is rolled out in hospitals around the country

27 May 2025 

Hospitals around the country are embracing a new treatment for bladder cancer that has been in a trial phase for two years and now being hailed a success by the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ).

“The treatment combines two chemotherapy drugs Gemcitabine and Docetaxel (Gem-Doce) that on their own were relatively ineffective, but together the success rate is above 60% and side effects are well tolerated by patients,” said USANZ Genitourinary (GU) Oncology Special Advisory Group Leader Associate Professor Weranja Ranasinghe.

“Previously, patients who failed the immunology treatment, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) would not have any options but to have their bladder removed or be palliated if they were not fit for surgery. So this new treatment provides an excellent alternative for these patients with good tolerance and durability. The other advantage is that these agents are widely available and affordable,” said Professor Ranasinghe.

“Over 3,000 Australians are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, most over the age of 50, with blood in the urine the most obvious symptom but the disease is treatable if detected early.”

“The new treatment, Gem-Doce, is established chemotherapy medicines and administering them sequentially into the bladder is shown to be effective in about 60-69 percent of patients who don’t respond to BCG treatment or who want to preserve their bladder.”

“The success of this trial has changed the whole protocol for the treatment of bladder cancer.”

“Nineteen patients have undergone the treatment since it was first trialled in 2023 at Monash Health and is now being rolled out in hospitals across the country and the world.”

About Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand 

The Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand is the peak professional body for urological surgeons in Australia and New Zealand. Urologists are surgeons who treat men, women and children with problems involving the kidney, bladder, prostate and male reproductive organs. These conditions include cancer, stones, infection, incontinence, urination difficulties, sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor problems. 

Media enquiries or to arrange an interview:

Please call Janyne Moore on 0450 686 693.

Access the PDF of the Media Release: USANZ hailing new treatment for bladder cancer a success as it is rolled out in hospitals around the country