title: An Italian experience of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in germ cell tumours. Suggestions for future direction.
abstract: In this paper an Italian cooperative trial investigates the role of a high-dose regimen with carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide in germ cell tumours. Twenty-eight patients underwent one or two transplants. Seventeen with progressive disease. Nine in sensitive relapse and two with stable disease after salvage therapy. Toxicity was generally moderate: two deaths occurred at day 15 from ABMT (one from VOD and one from tumour growth). Five patients are alive and disease free at least 10 months follow-up. In highly pre-treated patients this high-dose combination seems to give an option of cure for relapsed patients. Early transplantation is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Albertazzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tienghi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiorentini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cruciani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flamini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Argnani
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bassetto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvioni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000628:therapy*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous