Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin/bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin chemotherapy: an alternating, dose intense regimen producing promising results in untreated patients with intermediate or poor prognosis malignant germ-cell tumours

Lookup NU author(s): Dr James Roberts

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Patients with poor and intermediate prognosis metastatic germ-cell tumours (MGCTs) are at a significant risk of relapse after standard platinum-based chemotherapy. Novel treatment regimens are required to improve survival. Dose intense, alternating combinations of drugs with known activity in germ-cell tumours represents one approach. In all, 43 patients with IGCCCG intermediate/poor prognosis MGCT were treated with a dose intense regimen alternating bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin (BOP) with bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) to a maximum of three cycles. Data were collected on the maintenance of dose intensity, toxicity, response, progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The complete response rate was 58%; a further 7% of patients being rendered disease free by resection of viable residual tumour. With a median follow-up of more than 4 years in surviving patients, 3-year OS and PFS rates of 81% (95% CI: 66-91%) and 72% (95% CI: 56-83%) are seen, respectively. Bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin (BOP)/bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) was well tolerated, with 86% of patients completing all planned courses. Toxicity was predominantly haematological with common toxicity criteria grade III neutropenia in 90% of patients. Cisplatin neuropathy and bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity represented the most significant nonhaematological toxicity. Bleomycin, vincristine, cisplatin (BOP)/bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) represents a practicable, well-tolerated, dose intense chemotherapy regimen with significant activity in intermediate and poor prognosis MGCT.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Anthoney DA, McKean MJ, Roberts JT, Hutcheon AW, Graham J, Jones W, Paul J, Kaye SB

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: British Journal of Cancer

Year: 2004

Volume: 90

Issue: 3

Pages: 601-606

ISSN (print): 0007-0920

ISSN (electronic): 1532-1827

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6601528

DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601528


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share