Study of Genistein in Reducing Side Effects of Superficial Bladder Cancer Treatment

Patients who are treated with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) intravesical therapy for non-muscle invasive (TaT1) Tis superficial bladder cancer often develop adverse effects (urinary tract symptoms) which limit the dose (and therefore the efficacy) of therapy and result in poor quality of life. Genistein is a nutritional supplement with anti-inflammatory properties which might help alleviate adverse effects of intravesical therapy that are due to inflammation. Additionally, genistein also has anti-tumor and immunopotentiating properties and has been shown to have no known side effects. Our hypothesis is that genistein given together with BCG intravesical therapy will reduce its adverse effects and improve the efficacy of therapy. Patients (N=88) scheduled for intravesical therapy will be randomly assigned to take 30 mg tablets PO TID of genistein supplement (N=44) or placebo (N=44) during therapy and one month post therapy.