title: Methotrexate, vinblastine, epidoxorubicin and cisplatin (M-VEC) in patients with locally advanced transitional bladder cancer.
abstract: M-VEC (methotrexate, vinblastine, epidoxorubicin and cisplatin), a new combined drug regimen in which epidoxorubicin has been substituted to adriamycin to reduce the toxicity of the original M-VAC chemotherapy, has been tested in 23 patients with locally advanced transitional cell bladder cancer (TCBC) (stage T2-T4 No Mo). After two to four courses, an objective response was observed in 19 patients, with 13 clinical complete responses. Seven patients underwent cystectomy after chemotherapy: one patient had no residual tumor on bladder specimens, five patients had a surgical eradication of the disease, while one patient had only a partial resection. Eight relapses of bladder carcinoma were observed, three among the surgically treated patients and five among patients who did not undergo cystectomy, with a median time-to-relapse of 9.7 months. Progression-free survival at 24 months was 52.3%. M-VEC regimen appears to be effective in locally advanced TCBC, with acceptable toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pathology, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frassoldati
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brausi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pollastri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castagnetti
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Palladini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Silingardi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate