Abstract
Twelve patients with metastatic non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours who relapsed after 3–9 courses (median 7) ofcis-platin containing combination chemotherapy, were treated with moderately high-dose methotrexate (1 g m−2) and folinic acid rescue. There was one partial response and the remaining eleven patients showed progression of disease. The patient that responded was one of two patients treated at the time of first relapse.
It is concluded that methotrexate does not have a useful role in the salvage treatment of germ-cell tumours relapsing aftercis-platin-containing chemotherapy or in patients who are primarily resistant tocis-platin-containing regimes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Einhorn L H, Williams S D: Chemotherapy of disseminated testicular cancer. A random prospective study.Cancer 46, 1339 (1980).
Newlands E S, Begent R H J, Rustin G J S, Parker D, Bagshawe K D: Further advances in the management of malignant teratomas of the testis and other sites.Lancet i, 948 (1983).
Peckham M J, Barrett A, Liew K H, Horwich A, Robinson B, Dobbs H J, McElwain T J, Hendry W F: The treatment of metastatic germ-cell testicular tumours with bleomycin, etoposide andcis-platin (BEP).Br J Cancer 47, 613 (1983).
Li M C, Whitmore W F, Golbey R, Grabstaldt H: Effects of combined drug therapy on metastatic cancer of the testis.J Am Med Assoc 174, 145 (1960).
Samuels M L, Holoye P Y, Johnson D E: Bleomycin combination chemotherapy in the management of testicular neoplasia.Cancer 36, 318 (1975).
Einhorn L H, Donohue J P:Cis-diammine dichloroplatinum, vinblastine and bleomycin combination chemotherapy in disseminated testicular cancer.Ann Intern Med 87, 293 (1977).
Horwich A, Peckham M J: Etoposide combination chemotherapy in malignant teratoma: the Royal Marsden Hospital experience, in Issell, B F, Muggia F (eds):Etoposide (8VP-16-213)Current Status and New Developments, New York (in press).
Peckham M J: Investigation and staging; general aspects and staging classification, in Peckham M J (ed):The Management of Testicular Tumours, p. 89 London, Edward Arnold (1981).
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics: Statements of results obtained in 1959 to 1968 inc, in Kottmeier H L, Kolstad P (eds):Annual Report on the Results of Treatment in Carcinoma of the Uterus, Vagina and Ovary, Vol. 16, Stockholm, Radiumhemmet (1976).
Schornagel J H, McVie J G: The clinical pharmacology of methotrexate.Cancer Treatment Rev 10, 63 (1983).
Smithers D W: Chemotherapy for metastatic teratoma of the testis.Br J Urol 44, 217 (1972).
Wyatt J K, McAninch L N: A chemotherapy approach to advanced testicular carcinoma.Can J Surg 10, 121 (1967).
McKenzie A R: Chemotherapy of metastatic testic cancer: results in 154 patients.Cancer 19 1369 (1966).
Ansfield F J, Korbitz B C, Davis H L, Ramirez G: Triple drug therapy in testicular tumours.Cancer 24, 442 (1969).
McElwain T J, Peckham M J: Combination chemotherapy for testicular tumours.Proc R Soc Med, II 67, 297 (1974).
Bagshawe K D: Twenty years of anaplastic germ-cell tumours.J R Soc Med 77, 6 (1984).
Schabel F M, Jr, Skipper H E, Trader M W, Laster W R, Jr, Griswold D P, Jr, Corbett T H: Establishment of cross-resistance profiles for new agents.Cancer Treatment Rep 67, 905 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Atkinson, C.H., Horwich, A. & Peckham, M.J. Methotrexate for relapse of metastatic non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours. Med. Oncol. & Tumor Pharmacother. 4, 33–37 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934932
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934932