Intraperitoneal Catumaxomab Therapy in a Cirrhotic Patient with Malignant Ascites due to Urethelial Carcinoma: A Case Report

Background: Refractory malignant ascites is a common complication in tumor patients. To date, chemotherapy and paracentesis represent the most widely used methods to relieve the symptoms. Lately, intraperitoneal therapy with catumaxomab, a trifunctional hybrid antibody, has been introduced for the treatment of malignant ascites, and its utility has been demonstrated in patients with distinct abdominal malignancies. Case Report: We report the first case of successful catumaxomab treatment of malignant ascites in a patient with advanced carcinoma of the urinary bladder and liver cirrhosis. Although at admission a large-volume paracentesis was needed every other day, paracentesis was no longer necessary after catumaxomab therapy. Conclusion: Catumaxomab might represent a safe treatment option for malignant ascites in the course of metastatic urothelial carcinoma, also in the setting of liver cirrhosis.