cis-Diammine-1, 1-cyclobutane dicarboxylate platinum II (carboplatin) in the treatment of testicular germ-cell tumours: a preliminary report.

Between 1982 and 1985 47 patients with metastatic testicular germ-cell tumours were treated with carboplatin alone or combined with bleomycin and etoposide and/or vinblastine. Of 14 untreated seminoma patients 13 (93%) are free from active disease at 7-38 months (median 12 months). Twenty patients with untreated advanced non-seminomatous testicular germ-cell tumours have been entered into a study of carboplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (CEB) as first-line treatment. Preliminary data show that of 15 men observed for 6-12 months (mean 7.5 months) 11 are disease-free. Toxicity with the single agent and combination has been mild. Of 12 patients receiving carboplatin alone or in combination for relapse after cisplatin chemotherapy 10 showed no response, one a transient complete response and one a partial response consolidated with radiotherapy. On the basis of these preliminary observations it is concluded that carboplatin is an active drug in testicular germ-cell tumours and that cross resistance with cisplatin may be a significant problem.