Phase-II study of cis-diammine-dichloro platinum (cis-platinum), bleomycin and methotrexate for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Twenty-one patients with head and neck carcinomas relapsing after radiotherapy were treated with a combination of cis-platinum, bleomycin, and methotrexate. Four patients (19%) achieved a partial response. Toxicity was significant in selected cases; three patients developed WBC counts less than 1,000/mm3 and one of these patients died with sepsis. Severe mucositis was present in three of the twenty-one patients. Considering the toxicity of this combination and the limited therapeutic activity with the dose and schedule used in this study, this regimen is not recommended for the treatment of squamous head and neck carcinomas relapsing after radiotherapy.