Chemotherapy of refractory germ cell cancer with Etoposide.

Eighteen patients with advanced germ-cell cancer (12 primary gonadal, six extragonadal) that was refractory to vinblastine (V), cisplatin (P), and bleomycin (B) were treated with Etoposide (VP-16-213) and cisplatin +/- bleomycin sulfate +/- doxorubicin hydrochloride. All patients experienced nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and myelosuppression. There were no treatment-related deaths. Five (42%) of 12 patients with primary gonadal germ-cell cancer achieved a complete remission and are presently alive with no evidence of disease. None of the six patients with extragonadal germ-cell cancer achieved a complete response. Thirteen patients died 6.2 months (median) after starting Etoposide treatment. Etoposide-containing chemotherapy is useful in patients with primary gonadal germ-cell cancer. Alternative therapies are needed for patients with extragonadal germ cell cancer.