Jelmyto (mitomycin)

What is Jelmyto?

Jelmyto is an FDA-approved medication that is used to treat low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Jelmyto contains both a special gel product and mitomycin, a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat some types of cancer. Jelmyto is injected as a chilled liquid directly into the upper urinary tract where the cancer is located. Once the chilled liquid begins to warm to body temperature, it turns into a gel which remains in the upper tract for up to 6 hours. This allows the mitomycin to remain in contact with the cancerous tissue for an extended period of time. After about 4-6 hours, the gel is cleared from the body in the urine.

Advantages of Jelmyto

• Provides a kidney-sparing, non-invasive treatment option for low-grade UTUC
• In contrast to systemic chemotherapy, which travels through the blood to all parts of the body, Jelmyto is a target treatment option that only is applied to location of the cancer in the upper urinary tract

Safety precautions

• Bladder and upper tract perforation: If you have a history of bladder or upper tract perforation, please let your health care provider know. Jelmyto should not be used to treat these patients.
• Diuretics: People who take diuretics should inform their health care providers before starting treatment. The use of diuretics may need to be discontinued before a Jelmyto dose and for 4-6 hours after treatment
• Avoid the following for 4-6 hours following treatment: contact with urine, standing to urinate. Patient should wash hands, inner thighs and genital area after using the bathroom.
• Pregnancy: Jelmyto can be harmful to an unborn baby. Women should not get pregnant while on Jelmyto. Breastfeeding should also be avoided during treatment for one week after the last dose.

Side effects

• Narrowing or swelling of ureter
• Urinary tract infections (UTI)
• Blood in urine
• Nausea
• Pain or discomfort while urinating
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Back Pain
• If symptoms persist, please reach out to your health care provider

Sodium Bicarbonate

Take sodium bicarbonate 1.3 grams by mouth the evening before, the morning of, and 30 minutes prior to each Jelmyto administration.