title: Intensified M-VEC chemotherapy with G-CSF support as outpatient treatment for advanced bladder cancer.
abstract: The M-VAC regimen (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) is widely used in the treatment of advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. In the present trial, an alternate week regimen of M-VEC (with epidoxorubicin instead of doxorubicin) supported by G-CSF (filgrastim) was evaluated. Eligible patients had metastatic or surgically unresectable bladder cancer, not previously treated with systemic chemotherapy. Treatment consisted of methotrexate 30 mg/m2 day 1, vinblastine 3 mg/m2 day 2, epidoxorubicin 60 mg/m2 day 2 and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 days 2 and 3. G-CSF was administered s.c. at the dose of 300 mcg from day 4 to day 11: the treatment was repeated every 2 weeks for six cycles. Twenty-one patients entered the study, and 19 received more than 1 cycle: 78.9% were able to receive full doses of M-VEC as scheduled. The treatment resulted feasible on an outpatient basis, with mild toxicity. Three complete responses (15.8%) and 9 partial responses (47.4%), with an overall objective response rate of 63.2%, were observed.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia Medica, Ospedale S. Andrea, La Spezia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pronzato
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bruna
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vaira
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanoli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vigani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D000069585:Filgrastim; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate