Survival, neurocognitive function, and health-related quality of life outcomes after rituximab-methotrexate, BCNU, teniposide, and prednisolone for primary CNS lymphoma: Final results of the HOVON 105/ALLG NHL 24 study

BACKGROUND

Studies on the efficacy of rituximab in primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) reported conflicting results. Our international randomized phase 3 study showed that the addition of rituximab to high-dose methotrexate, BCNU, teniposide, and prednisolone (MBVP) in PCNSL was not efficacious in the short term. Here we present long-term results after a median follow-up of 82.3 months.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety-nine eligible newly diagnosed, nonimmunocompromised patients with PCNSL aged 18-70 years with WHO performance status 0-3 was randomized between treatment with MBVP chemotherapy with or without rituximab, followed by high-dose cytarabine consolidation in responding patients, and reduced-dose WBRT in patients aged ≤ 60 years. Event-free survival was the primary endpoint. Overall survival rate, neurocognitive functioning (NCF), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were additionally assessed, with the IPCG test battery, EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires, respectively.

RESULTS

For event-free survival, the hazard ratio was 0.85, 95% CI 0.61-1.18, P = .33. Overall survival rate at 5 years for MBVP and R-MBVP was 49% (39-59) and 53% (43-63) respectively. In total, 64 patients died in the MBVP arm and 55 in the R-MBVP arm, of which 69% were due to PCNSL. At the group level, all domains of NCF and HRQoL improved to a clinically relevant extent after treatment initiation, and remained stable thereafter up to 60 months of follow-up, except for motor speed which deteriorated between 24 and 60 months. Although fatigue improved initially, high levels persisted in the long term.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term follow-up confirms the lack of added value of rituximab in addition to MBVP and HD-cytarabine for PCNSL.

First-line induction chemotherapy with high-dose methotrexate versus teniposide in patients with newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma: a retrospective, multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) versus teniposide (TEN) in patients with newly diagnosed immunocompetent primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs).

METHODS

The study included immunocompetent, adult patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL at 22 centers in China from 2007 to 2016. The patients received HD-MTX or TEN as first-line induction therapy. The objective response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were analyzed for each patient cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 96 patients were eligible: 62 received HD-MTX, while 34 received teniposide. The overall response rate was 73.2% and 72.7% in the MTX and the TEN cohorts, respectively (P = 0.627). The median progression-free survival was 28.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.7-51.2] in the MTX cohort and 24.3 months (95% CI: 16.6-32.1) in the TEN cohort (P = 0.75). The median overall survival was 31 months (95% CI: 26.8-35.2) in the MTX cohort and 32 months (95% CI: 27.6-36.4) in the TEN cohort (P = 0.77). The incidence of any grade of coagulopathy/deep-vein thrombosis and gastrointestinal disorders was significantly higher in the MTX cohort than in the TEN cohort; no significant difference was found in the incidence of other adverse events between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first multicenter study using TEN as the main agent compared with HD-MTX in newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma. The TEN-based regimen was non-inferior to the HD-MTX-based regimen with similar overall responses.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provided Class III evidence that the teniposide-based regimen was non-inferior to high-dose methotrexate - based regimen with similar overall responses and long-time survival in immunocompetent patients with PCNSL.

AL amyloidosis: untangling new therapies

Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disorder characterized by the deposition of abnormal immunoglobulin light chains in fibrillary aggregates, resulting in end-organ damage. Several unique challenges face treating physicians, including delayed diagnosis, advanced vital organ involvement, and morbidity with treatment. Aggressive supportive care and risk-adapted application of plasma cell-directed therapies are the cornerstones of management. The therapeutic revolution in multiple myeloma will likely further expand the arsenal against plasma cells. Careful investigation of these agents will be critical to establish their role in this fragile population. The promise of fibril-directed therapies to restore organ function remains despite early disappointments. In this review, we discuss new therapies to tackle AL amyloidosis using a case-based approach.

Identification and Characterization of Alcohol-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognostic Subtypes based on an Integrative N6-methyladenosine methylation Model

Background: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and associated with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylations play key roles in tumorigenesis and progression. However, our current knowledge about m6A in alcohol-related HCC (A-HCC) remains elucidated. Herein, the authors construct an integrative m6A model based on A-HCC subtyping and mechanism exploration workflow. Methods: Based on the m6A expressions of A-HCC and in vivo experiment, different prognosis risk A-HCC subtypes are identified. Meanwhile, multiple interdependent indicators of prognosis including patient survival rate, clinical pathological prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity. Results: The m6A model includes LRPPRC, YTHDF2, KIAA14219, and RBM15B, classified A-HCC patients into high/low-risk subtypes. The high-risk subtype compared to the low-risk subtype showed phenotypic malignancy, poor prognosis, immunosuppression, and activation of tumorigenesis and proliferation-related pathways, including the E2F target, DNA repair, and mTORC1 signalling pathways. The expression of Immunosuppressive cytokines DNMT1/EZH2 was up-regulated in A-HCC patients, and teniposide may be a potential therapeutic drug for A-HCC. Conclusion: Our model redefined A-HCC prognosis risk, identified potential m6As linking tumour progress and immune regulations and selected possible therapy target, thus promoting understanding and clinical applications about A-HCC.

Preradiation Chemotherapy with VM-26 and CCNU in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

Aims and Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined chemoradiation in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. The main end points were time to progression and overall survival.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with glioblastoma multiforme underwent surgery whenever possible and then received intravenous VM26 (120 mg/m2) and oral CCNU (120 mg/m2) for three cycles followed by radiotherapy (60 Gy).

Results

Surgery consisted of a complete resection in 39% of patients, partial resection in 35% and a biopsy in 26%. Sixteen patients had clinical or radiological evidence of progression during or after chemotherapy. Hematologic toxicity was mild. Forty-five percent of patients received the scheduled dose of radiation. The outcome was disappointing, with a median time to progression of 18 weeks and median survival of 37.17 weeks.

Conclusions

The survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme remains disappointing. Multimodal therapy does not seem to modify the evolution of the tumor. Stratification according to prognostic factors might detect a potential benefit of other therapeutic approaches.

VM 26 in Advanced Mycosis Fungoides

Five consecutive patients with progressive extracutaneous stage IV mycosis fungoides (MF) were treated with VM 26, 100 mg/m2 i.v., for at least 3 cycles. All patients had been extensively pretreated and in particular with vinca alkaloids. Two partial responses of 5 and 9 + months duration and 1 minimal response of 5 months duration were obtained. Transient myelosuppression was encountered in all patients. These preliminary results should encourage further exploration of VM 26, even in less advanced MF.

Anorectal involvement in a patient with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a neoplastic proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells. Symptomatic gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon. We report the case of a 45-year-old patient admitted with an anorectal polypoid lesion, which progressed to colonic obstruction. Investigation revealed a secondary plasmacytoma associated with multiple myeloma. We discuss the characteristics of this rare entity with poor prognosis, its clinical implications and treatment options.

Institutional review of primary non-hodgkin lymphoma of the female genital tract: a 33-year experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this is to provide an updated review of the literature and to report our institutional experience with this rare gynecologic malignancy.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the female genital tract from 1980 to 2013 at the Yale-New Haven Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Histological classification and staging were determined by the World Health Organization and Ann Arbor systems, respectively. Kaplan-Meier was used to calculate the survival.

RESULTS

There were 36 patients with diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the female genital tract and followed for a median of 61 months (0-361 months). The median age of diagnosis was 44 years (19-87 years), and 76% (n = 28) were classified as stage IV.Of these, 4 patients were asymptomatic on presentation, and 13 were identified incidentally during surgery/radiography (n = 9), on prenatal ultrasound (n = 1), and on Papanicolaou test (n = 3). The location of the disease included the ovary (n = 6), uterine corpus and cervix (n= 9), vagina (n = 1), a pelvic mass (n = 7), isolated pelvic/para-aortic lymph nodes (n = 3), and/or multiple sites (n = 9). There were 6 cases that were concomitant with other gynecologic malignancies.Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n= 18) was the most common histologic type. A total of 28 patients underwent surgery. Combination chemotherapy was used in 34 patients, with concomitant radiation therapy in 7 and stem cell transplantation in 3. A total of 5 patients had recurrent disease.The overall median survival from the diagnosis of lymphoma was 70 months (0.3-361 months) with a 91% 1-year survival, 86% 5-year survival, and a 79% 10-year survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our report is the largest published single-institution experience of this disease. It demonstrates a more favorable prognosis and proposes that with early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, radical gynecologic surgery can be avoided.

Chemotherapy for brain metastases from small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 20% of all cases of lung cancer. It tends to disseminate early in the course of its natural history and to grow quickly. Approximately 10% to 18% of patients present with brain metastases (BM) at the time of initial diagnosis, and an additional 40% to 50% will develop BM some time during the course of their disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of BM from SCLC.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Lung Cancer Review Group Specialised Register (July 2011), CENTRAL (2011, Issue 5), PubMed (1966 to July 2011), EMBASE (2005 to July 2011), LILACS (1982 to July 2011) and the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing systemic chemotherapy (single agent or combination chemotherapy) with another chemotherapy regimen, palliative care, whole brain radiotherapy or any combination of these interventions for the treatment of BM as the only site of progression.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data extraction and 'Risk of bias' assessment were carried out independently by two review authors. As the included studies evaluated three different treatment modalities meta-analysis was not possible.

MAIN RESULTS

Three RCTs, involving 192 participants, met inclusion criteria for this review. No significant differences for overall survival (OS) were reported in any of the trials: in the first trial, 33 patients received whole brain radiation therapy and no significant difference was found between patients treated with topotecan and those not treated with topotecan. In a second trial, in which 120 patients were randomized to receive teniposide with or without brain radiation therapy, the authors reported that the median progression-free survival (brain-specific progression-free survival (PFS)) was 3.5 months in the combined modality arm and 3.2 in the teniposide alone arm. In a third trial, comparing sequential and concomitant chemoradiotherapy (teniposide plus cisplatin) in 39 participants, the survival difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. While the first trial reported no significant difference in PFS, the second RCT found a significant difference favoring combined therapy group. The second trial also found that patients receiving chemoradiotherapy (teniposide plus whole brain radiotherapy) had a higher complete response rate than those receiving only the topoisomerase inhibitor.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Given the paucity of robust studies assessing the clinical effects of treatments, available evidence is insufficient to judge the effectiveness and safety of chemotherapy for the treatment of BM from SCLC. Published studies are insufficient to address the objectives of this review. According to the available evidence included in this review, chemotherapy does not improve specific brain PFS and OS in patients with SCLC. The combined treatment of teniposide and brain radiation therapy contributed to outcome in terms of increased complete remission and shorter time to progression (though not OS).

miR-20a targets BNIP2 and contributes chemotherapeutic resistance in colorectal adenocarcinoma SW480 and SW620 cell lines

Chemotherapy is an important treatment for colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer; however, colorectal adenocarcinoma cells often develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, leading to relapse and poor patient prognosis. The development of drug resistance is often a multifactor process, which involved several genes and cellular mechanisms. microRNAs are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of microRNAs in regulating drug sensitivity of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells SW620 and SW480. Using microRNA expression arrays and quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, we found that SW620 cells exhibited elevated miR-20a expression compared with SW480 cells. In addition, these two cell lines displayed different sensitivities to the chemotherapeutic drugs fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and teniposide. Modulation of miR-20a altered the sensitivity of SW620 and SW480 cells to these drugs; knockdown of miR-20a sensitized SW620 cells to chemotherapeutic agents, whereas overexpression of miR-20a in SW480 cells resulted in chemoresistance. Endogenous BNIP2 mRNA and BNIP2 protein levels were inversely related to miR-20a levels as detected by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Fluorescence reporter assays showed a direct interaction between miR-20a and the BNIP2 3'UTR. Taken together, our findings suggested that miR-20a may play a role in colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer cell drug resistance and may be a therapeutic target against chemotherapy drug resistance in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Standard chemotherapy with interferon compared with CHOP followed by high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in untreated patients with advanced follicular lymphoma: the GELF-94 randomized study from the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA)

The purpose of this study is to compare our standard chemotherapy regimen (CHVP [cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, teniposide, and prednisone]) plus interferon with 4 courses of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) followed by high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in treatment-naive patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. Four hundred one patients were included from July 1994 to March 2001: 209 received 12 cycles of CHVP plus interferon α for 18 months (CHVP-I arm) and 192 received 4 cycles of CHOP followed by high-dose therapy (HDT) with total body irradiation and ASCT (CHOP-HDT arm). Overall response rates were similar in both groups (79% and 78% after induction chemotherapy, respectively). One hundred thirty-one of the 150 patients eligible for HDT underwent transplantation (87%). Intent-to-treat analysis after a median follow-up of 7.5 years showed that there was no difference between the 2 arms for overall survival (P = .53) or event-free survival (P = .11). Patients with a complete response at the end of the induction therapy had a statistically longer event-free survival and overall survival (P = .02 and < .001, respectively). After long-term follow-up, our study showed that there was no statistically significant benefit in favor of first-line high-dose therapy in patients with follicular lymphoma. High-dose therapy should be reserved for relapsing patients.

[Treatment of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Economic impact of rituximab (Mabthera) versus conventional chemotherapy]

The monoclonal antibody rituximab, targeted against the CD20 antigen, has shown efficacy in patients with follicular lymphoma who relapse or fail to response to conventional chemotherapy. We evaluated the economic impact of using rituximab for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLH) in comparison with conventional chemotherapy protocols (CHOP or CHVP). In this retrospective study conducted between 1998 and 2000, the direct costs of treating inpatients with NHL rituximab (n=20) or CHOP/CHVP (n=17) were compared. Results, including costs of administering chemotherapy and adverse events, showed that the average cost per patient was comparable for the two strategies (9700 euro for rituximab, versus 8487 euro for conventional chemotherapy). In the rituximab group, the cost was mostly due to drug purchases. In the conventional chemotherapy group, outlays were related to drug-induced toxicity and longer hospital stay. Our results were similar to others described in the literature. Prospective studies are nevertheless needed for confirmation. For first-line treatement, the difference in the cost-effectiveness-ratio between rituximab and conventional drugs might be smaller, but sound data are not yet available.

Regulatory approvals of pediatric oncology drugs: previous experience and new initiatives

PURPOSE

To review the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experience with approvals of new drugs for pediatric oncology and to discuss new regulatory initiatives directed at pediatric oncology.

METHODS

A retrospective review of FDA archival documents and the published literature.

RESULTS

More than 100 drugs have been approved by the Division of Oncology Drug Products of the FDA for the treatment of malignancies. Only 15 have pediatric use information in their labeling, which is less than 50% of the drugs commonly used in the treatment of pediatric malignancies. In the past 20 years, there have been six submissions to the FDA for pediatric oncology indications. To illustrate principles of the approval process, each submission is discussed.

CONCLUSION

Potential reasons for a lack of New Drug Application submissions for pediatric oncology include the small pediatric oncology market compared with the adult oncology market and perceived barriers to performing studies in children. Reasons for failure to approve pediatric indications include small numbers of patients, lack of appropriate controls, and failure to demonstrate patient benefit. Approval criteria include the use of controlled trials, prospective data collection, and disease-appropriate end points. Regulatory initiatives to promote pediatric therapeutic development and product labeling are discussed.

[Palliative irradiation combined with chemotherapy for lung cancer with brain metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate to effects and complications of palliative irradiation combined with chemotherapy for lung cancer with brain metastasis.

METHODS

Eighty-two non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis were treated, of whom 48 had extracranial metastasis simultaneously. All patients received chemotherapy (Teniposide and cis-platin) prior to and also after radiotherapy. The multiple-intracranial metastasis patients received whole brain radiation therapy to a dose of 33-39 Gy/11-13 fx. The others who had single intracranial lesion received whole brain irradiation of 30 Gy/10 fx and a boost of 15 Gy/5 fx.

RESULTS

The overall 1- and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 46.7% and 6.7%. For patients with brain metastasis and extracranial lesions, the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 32.4% and 4.4%. For patients with intracranial metastasis only, they were 61.2% and 8.8%, respectively (P = 0.003). The median survival of these two groups were 8 and 12 months. There was no significant correlation between the survivals rate and the histological type or the number of intracranial metastasis. No severe complications were observed during the treatment and follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The regimen of combined chemotherapy with radiotherapy is effective for lung cancer with brain metastasis. The survival rate of patients with intracranial metastasis only is obviously higher than those with multiple extracranial lesions in addition to brain metastasis.

Impact of intravesical chemotherapy on recurrence rate of recurrent superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: results of a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of in tranvesical chemotherapy on preventing recurrence of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is controversial. The objective of this report is to present a meta-analysis of the available clinical trial data to quantify the effect of intravesical chemotherapy on tumor recurrence following trans-urethral resection (TURB) in patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer.

METHODS

A prospective study protocol outlining a meta-analysis was developed followed by a thorough search of the existing published literature using strict eligibility criteria. Eight randomized trials were found which met protocol specifications. These studies contained data on 1,609 patients which were statistically combined using a fixed effects model (Peto). The outcome of interest was the proportion of patients with tumor recurrence at one, two and three years post-TURB.

RESULTS

Combining all 8 studies using 1 year recurrence as the outcome measure yielded a Peto odds ratio (ORp) of 0.62, demonstrating a 38% reduction in one year recurrence among patients treated with intravesical chemotherapy versus TURB alone. Using 2 and 3 year recurrence as the outcome measure yielded ORp's of 0.46 and 0.35 respectively, favoring TURB + intravesical chemotherapy versus TURB alone. A statistical test for heterogeneity (Q) showed the 2 and 3 year outcome data to be heterogeneous (i.e. the studies are not measuring an effect of the same magnitude). Sensitivity analyses showed that drug type appeared to account for the observed heterogeneity with a stratified analysis demonstrating that adriamycin is less effective in reducing subsequent tumor recurrences than all other drugs studied.

CONCLUSION

Intravesical chemotherapy appears to have a major impact on decreasing the chance of recurrence of recurrent superficial bladder cancer. Three year recurrence is decreased by as much as 70% when compared with TURB alone. These data are in contrast to prior analyses suggesting only modest efficacy of such treatment in this clinical setting.

Treatment of brain metastases of small-cell lung cancer: comparing teniposide and teniposide with whole-brain radiotherapy--a phase III study of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Lung Cancer Cooperative Group

PURPOSE

Approximately 60% of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) develop brain metastases. Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) gives symptomatic improvement in more than 50% of these patients. Because brain metastases are a sign of systemic progression, and chemotherapy was found to be effective as well, it becomes questionable whether WBRT is the only appropriate therapy in this situation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a phase III study, SCLC patients with brain metastases were randomized to receive teniposide with or without WBRT. Teniposide 120 mg/m(2) was given intravenously three times a week, every 3 weeks. WBRT (10 fractions of 3 Gy) had to start within 3 weeks from the start of chemotherapy. Response was measured clinically and by computed tomography of the brain.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty eligible patients were randomized. A 57% response rate was seen in the combined-modality arm (95% confidence interval [CI], 43% to 69%), and a 22% response rate was seen in the teniposide-alone arm (95% CI, 12% to 34%) (P<.001). Time to progression in the brain was longer in the combined-modality group (P=.005). Clinical response and response outside the brain were not different. The median survival time was 3.5 months in the combined-modality arm and 3.2 months in the teniposide-alone arm. Overall survival in both groups was not different (P=.087).

CONCLUSION

Adding WBRT to teniposide results in a much higher response rate of brain metastases and in a longer time to progression of brain metastases than teniposide alone. Survival was poor in both groups and not significantly different.

In vitro drug resistance profiles of adult versus childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The difference in the current cure rates between adult and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may be caused by differences in drug resistance. Earlier studies showed that in vitro cellular drug resistance is a strong independent adverse risk factor in childhood ALL. Knowledge about cellular drug resistance in adult ALL is still limited. The present study compared the in vitro drug resistance profiles of 23 adult ALL patients with that of 395 childhood ALL patients. The lymphoblasts were tested by the MTT assay. The group of adult ALL samples was significantly more resistant to cytosine arabinoside, L-asparaginase, daunorubicin, dexamethasone and prednisolone. The resistance ratio (RR) was highest for prednisolone (31.7-fold) followed by dexamethasone (6.9-fold), L-asparaginase (6. 1-fold), cytosine arabinoside (2.9-fold), daunorubicin (2.5-fold) and vincristine (2.2-fold). Lymphoblasts from adult patients were not more resistant to mercaptopurine, thioguanine, 4-HOO-ifosfamide, mitoxantrone and teniposide. There were no significant differences in drug resistance between adult T-cell (T-) ALL (n = 11) and adult common/pre-B-cell (B-) ALL (n = 10). Additionally, adult T-ALL did not differ from childhood T-ALL (n = 69). There were significant differences between adult common/pre-B-ALL and childhood common/pre-B-ALL (n = 310) for prednisolone (RR = 302, P = 0.008), dexamethasone (RR = 20.9, P = 0.017) and daunorubicin (RR = 2.7, P = 0.009). Lymphoblasts from adults proved to be relatively resistant to drugs commonly used in therapy. This might contribute to the difference in outcome between children and adults with ALL.

Paclitaxel and lung cancer: new preparation. No therapeutic progress

(1) Paclitaxel is now licensed, in combination with cisplatin, for the treatment of non small-cell lung cancer in patients not qualifying for surgery or radiotherapy. (2) The clinical file is relatively bulky but of mediocre methodological quality. (3) In one trial the cisplatin + paclitaxel combination was neither more effective nor better tolerated globally than cisplatin monotherapy at a higher dose. (4) The cisplatin + paclitaxel combination has also been compared with the cisplatin + etoposide and cisplatin + teniposide combinations, but showed neither greater clinical efficacy nor fewer adverse effects.