Methotrexate, bleomycin, and Etoposide in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
The combination of methotrexate (1 g/m(2) day 1), bleomycin (10 mg day 3), and etoposide (100 mg/m(2) days 1-5) (MBE) has been used for disease relapse or as a second-line chemotherapy in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) resistant to multiple-agent chemotherapy. With the identification of ultra-high-risk GTN, MBE has also been used as first-line chemotherapy. The current study is to review the use of MBE in the treatment of GTN.


METHODS
Patients who received MBE for GTN between 1985 and 2003 in Queen Mary Hospital were included in this study. Records were reviewed and data were analyzed. Outcomes including response rate, treatment complications, and survival were assessed.


RESULTS
Methotrexate, bleomycin, and etoposide therapy was given as first line to 4 patients with ultra-high-risk GTN. Three responded to the treatment and remained disease free. Methotrexate, bleomycin, and etoposide were given as a second-line therapy to 8 patients who had drug resistance to the initial therapy. Seven responded, and 6 remained disease free at 5 years. Methotrexate, bleomycin, and etoposide were given as a second-line therapy to 8 patients who relapsed 2-18 months after their initial therapy. Seven patients responded, and 4 remained disease-free at 5 years, 2 defaulted, and one died of carcinoma of the colon. Of the 20 patients who received MBE, 12 developed grade 3/4 neutropenia, and 4 developed grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia. The overall response rate for MBE was 85%.


CONCLUSIONS
Methotrexate, bleomycin, and etoposide should be considered as a second-line therapy in patients who have drug-resistant or recurrent GTN.
Ngan
Hextan Y S
HY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong. hysngan@hkucc.hku.hk
Tam
Kar-Fai
KF
Lam
Ka-Wai
KW
Chan
Karen K L
KK
D000328:Adult; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D001761:Bleomycin; D005047:Etoposide; D008727:Methotrexate