Paclitaxel-containing high-dose chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory testicular germ cell tumours.
High-dose regimes containing etoposide, carboplatin and an oxazaphospharine can salvage 30-40% of patients with relapsed or refractory male germ cell tumours (GCTs). The additional benefit of paclitaxel in such high-dose therapy has not been tested. Between March 1995 and November 2002, 36 male GCT patients were treated with Carbop-EC-T (paclitaxel 75 mg x m(-2), etoposide 450 mg x m(-2), carboplatin AUC 10 on days -7, -5 and -3 and cyclophosphamide 60 mg x kg(-1) on days -5 and -3) followed by peripheral blood stem cell infusion (day 0). The 1-year overall survival rate for all patients is 67% (median follow-up 29 months). For the 24 patients with cisplatin-sensitive disease, the 1-year overall and event-free survivals are 88 and 64%, respectively. For those with cisplatin refractory or absolutely refractory disease, the 1-year overall survival is 25%. In all, 12 patients relapsed at a median duration of 5 months, 11 of whom have died. There were also six treatment-related deaths, five associated with pneumonitis. Pulmonary toxicity has been reported with paclitaxel in other high-dose regimes. Since altering our protocol so that paclitaxel is infused over 24 h with steroid prophylaxis, only one of 18 patients (13 testicular GCTs and five other tumour types) has had a treatment-related death. Our results suggest that Carbop-EC-T may enable a greater proportion of patients with relapsed and refractory GCTs to enter long-term remission.
McNeish
I A
IA
Department of Medical Oncology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK.
Kanfer
E J
EJ
Haynes
R
R
Giles
C
C
Harland
S J
SJ
Driver
D
D
Rustin
G J S
GJ
Newlands
E S
ES
Seckl
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018237:Germinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel