Combination chemotherapy with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, oncovin, and bleomycin (COB) in advanced head and neck cancer: phase II.

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with advanced head and neck epidermoid carcinoma were treated with a single course of combination chemotherapy which included high dose cis-platinum II, vincristine, and bleomycin. All patients except one were evaluable for drug response and toxicity. The overall toxicity was mild and tolerable except in one patient who had fatal nephrotoxicity. Thirteen patients (48%) had a partial regression, and five with minimal response did improve, giving an overall response rate of 67%. More responses were noted in previously untreated patients, especially those with oral or hypopharyngeal tumors without distant metastases. Definite histological changes were seen in a few patients in remission. Objective tumor response was associated with subjective improvement, and possibly, a prolonged survival.