Postoperative intravesical instillation of chemotherapy is a routine procedure for non-muscular invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, traditional bladder perfusion methods have insufficient exposure time, resulting in unsatisfactory therapeutic effects. In the present study, a chitosan (CS)-based in situ forming depot (ISFD) delivery system, including Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-MNP), CS, and β-glycerophosphate (GP) as main components, was synthesized. Pirarubicin (THP), as a chemotherapeutic drug, was loaded into the new system. Results showed that our carrier system (Fe3O4-THP-CS/GP) was converted into gel and attached to the bladder wall, possessing loose network structures with magnetic targeting and sustained release properties. Moreover, its retention time in bladder was more than 72 h accompanied by a suitable expansion rate and good degradation characteristics. The antitumor activities of Fe3O4-THP-CS/GP were more effective both in vitro and in vivo than the free THP solution. In the study of its mechanism, results showed that Fe3O4-THP-CS/GP suppressed the expression of occludin (OCLN) and affected tight junctions (TJ) between urothelial cells to promote THP absorption.

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Background This is an exploratory research of cystoprostatectomy (CP) in treating prostate cancer (PCa) extending to bladder, which aimed to evaluate the effects of CP on long-term survival outcomes and improving quality of life (QoL) on these patients. Methods A total of 27 PCa patients extending to bladder were subjected to CP and followed-up at regular intervals in our center. Prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) recurrence-free survival (PFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to evaluate clinical characteristics predicting survivals. QoL and pelvic symptoms were also evaluated. Results Median follow-up was 42.0 months. Five patients (18.5%) died as a direct result of tumor progression. Median PCSS was not reached over the period of follow-up. 5-year PCSS rate was 82.1%. PSA recurrence after surgery was observed in 11 patients (40.7%). Median PFS was 66.0 months. 5-year PFS rate was 58.5%. Multivariate analysis showed Gleason score (≥ 8) (hazard ratio (HR) 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–4.04, p = 0.033), positive local lymph node status (HR 3.52, 95% CI 1.57–7.38, p = 0.006) and bladder muscle-invasion (HR 4.75, 95% CI 1.37–7.53, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of worse PCSS. The number of patients suffering pelvic symptoms was significantly decreased, and QoL scores were significantly down-regulated after surgeries. Conclusion CP offered effective and durable palliation in patients of locally advanced prostate cancer with invasion of bladder, providing better QoL and relieving local symptoms.