[Methotrexate combined chemotherapy for chemorefractory gestational trophoblastic tumour].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the response rate and toxicity of etopside, methotrexate, kengshengmycin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA/CO) regimen for women with chemorefractory gestational trophoblastic tumour.


METHODS
Fifty-one patients with chemorefractory gestational trophoblastic tumour were treated by EMA/CO regimen. Operative excision and (or) selective arterial infusion as adjuncts to chemotherapy were performed in a selected subset of patients. The response and toxicity were assessed after treatment.


RESULTS
Fifty-one patients received 352 cycles of the study regimen. The median number of courses for each patient was 6.9. Thirty-three cases (64.7%) achieved a complete remission while 14 patients (27.5%) had a partial remission, 4 cases showed nonresponse. Two (6.7%) of 30 complete responders developed recurrences. The main complications for EMA/CO chemotherapy were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The EMA/CO regimen is an effective treatment for chemorefractory gestational trophoblastic tumour, and the chemotherapeutic results can be further improved while combined with arterial infusion chemotherapy and surgery in the selected patients.
Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730.
Y
Y
Xiang
X
X
Yang
S
S
Han
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002820:Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate