Treatment strategies of testicular cancer in the United States

The treatment of testicular cancer has dramatically improved during the past decade. Combination chemotherapy with PVB was instituted at Indiana University in 1974. Subsequent studies demonstrated that: post PVB, surgery can cure patients; vinblastine dosage can be lowered from 0.4 to 0.3 mg/kg without sacrificing cure potential; maintenance vinblastine is not necessary; VP-16 can be substituted for vinblastine with equivalent cure rates and decreased neuromuscular toxicity.

Flow cytometry derived DNA content of the primary lesions of advanced germ cell tumours

We currently lack good prognostic indicators for patients with advanced disseminated germ cell tumours (GCT). An analysis of archival tumour samples of forty-nine patients with advanced GCT for flow cytometry derived DNA content suggests an inverse relationship between tumour proliferative activity and patient survival. The great majority of patients with advanced GCT have aneuploid tumour subpopulations. This analysis suggests that the survival of patients with advanced GCT may depend in part on kinetic variables present in the primary tumour.

The significance of atypia within teratomatous metastases after chemotherapy for malignant germ cell tumors

The completely resected teratomatous metastases of 55 patients who had been treated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for non-seminomatous germ cell tumors were reviewed to see if cellular atypia had an effect with respect to recurrent disease. The degree of atypia of the epithelial and mesenchymal elements was assessed on the basis of the cytologic features and mitotic activity. Twenty-three percent of the cases contained high-grade epithelial elements, whereas high-grade mesenchymal elements occurred in 18% of the cases; in addition there were nine cases classified as showing frankly malignant teratomatous elements. The presence of cytologically disturbing epithelial and mesenchymal elements (which, however, lacked an invasive malignant pattern) correlated with an increased incidence of recurrent teratoma compared to less atypical teratomatous elements (23% vs. 6% for epithelial elements, and 18% vs. 9% for mesenchymal elements, respectively). This difference, however, was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). There was no correlation between teratomatous atypia and recurrent, non-teratomatous germ cell tumor. The presence of an invasive malignant pattern did identify patients at significantly increased risk for recurrent teratoma-derived tumor. The authors conclude that cytologic atypia in the absence of invasion is not sufficient justification for altering the usual therapeutic strategies for patients with teratomatous metastases.

Resection of thoracic and abdominal teratoma in patients after cisplatin-based chemotherapy for germ cell tumor. Late results

Fifty-one patients with primary testicular (N = 46) or mediastinal germ cell cancer (N = 5) were treated from April, 1975, through May, 1981, and had teratoma resected from residual disease after cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. All patients had normal serum markers before resection of pulmonary (N = 12), mediastinal (N = 5), thoracoabdominal (N = 8), supraclavicular (N = 1) or abdominal disease (N = 25). Teratoma was classified as mature teratoma (N = 29), immature teratoma (N = 15), or immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements (N = 7). Thirty of 51 (60%) patients remain free of recurrent disease, whereas 20 patients have either recurrent carcinoma (N = 10) or teratoma (N = 10). One patient has a presumed second malignancy. After additional chemotherapy, four patients with recurrent carcinoma are alive and disease free and six have died. After an additional operation, eight of 10 patients with recurrent teratoma are long-term survivors. In four patients the initial relapse of carcinoma developed more than 2 years after therapy; in an additional patient carcinoma recurred after a 32 month disease-free survival period. Univariate factors predicting for relapse include tumor burden, immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements, and site (mediastinum), whereas only immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements and site predicted for survival. Immature teratoma and mature teratoma had similar relapse-free intervals and overall survival intervals. According to a multivariate analysis, primary tumor site at the mediastinum is the most significant adverse factor predictive for both relapse and survival (two of five patients survived). This study appears to support the various preclinical models that demonstrate multipotential capabilities of teratoma. Complete surgical excision of teratoma remains the most effective treatment with continued close follow-up recommended for high-risk patients (immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements, large tumor burden, or primary mediastinal tumors.

Initial therapy with cisplatin plus VP-16 in small-cell lung cancer

Cisplatin plus VP-16 has become a widely used salvage regimen for CAV (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin [Adriamycin], and vincristine) failures. However, the major value of this two-drug combination will probably be as an integral part of the initial therapeutic strategy. Cisplatin plus VP-16 has been used as induction therapy in four separate published studies involving 238 patients. The response rates ranged from 71% to 94% and complete remission (CR) rates varied from 30% to 53%. Cisplatin plus VP-16 has also been alternated with CAV in several phase II studies with encouraging results. A Southeastern Cancer Study Group (SECSG) protocol in extensive disease is currently testing this hypothesis in a random prospective study. A recently completed SECSG protocol in limited small-cell lung cancer tested the concept of late intensification with two courses of cisplatin plus VP-16 following six courses of CAV, v six courses of CAV alone. Presently, there is a statistically significant survival advantage for cisplatin plus VP-16.

Random prospective study of vindesine versus vindesine plus high-dose cisplatin versus vindesine plus cisplatin plus mitomycin C in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

In this phase III randomized study, 124 evaluable patients with unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were randomized to vindesine v cisplatin (120 mg/m2) plus vindesine v cisplatin (60 mg/m2) plus vindesine plus mitomycin C. The objective response rate for cisplatin and vindesine was 27% v 20% for cisplatin, vindesine, and mitomycin C, and 14% for vindesine alone (P = .25 for cisplatin and vindesine v vindesine). The percentage of patients having stable disease (no progression for a minimum of 3 months) was 20% (cisplatin and vindesine), 27% (cisplatin, vindesine, and mitomycin C), and 26% (vindesine alone), respectively. The median survival time for vindesine was 18 weeks, compared with 26 weeks for cisplatin and vindesine and 17 weeks for cisplatin, vindesine, and mitomycin C. Overall survival was not statistically different for cisplatin plus vindesine v vindesine (P = .65). There was no evidence for improved duration of remission or survival of responders with the cisplatin (120 mg/m2) and vindesine arm. This study failed to demonstrate sufficient therapeutic benefit for cisplatin and vindesine (+/- mitomycin C) compared with single-agent vindesine to justify the increased cost and toxicity of these combination regimens.

Teratoma following cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: a clinicopathological correlation

From April 1975 through May 1981, 51 patients had teratoma resected from residual disease following cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. All patients had normal serum markers before resection of abdominal (25), lung (12), mediastinal (5), thoracoabdominal (8) or other (1) disease. Teratoma was classified as mature in 29 cases, immature in 15 or immature with nongerm cell elements in 7. Of the 51 patients 31 (61 per cent) remain free of recurrent disease, while 20 either had recurrent carcinoma (10) or teratoma (10) requiring further therapy. Nine patients died, including 1 in whom angiosarcoma developed, which was thought to be secondary to previous radiation therapy. In 4 patients the initial relapse of carcinoma developed beyond 2 years after resection. Univariate factors predicting for relapse include tumor burden, immature teratoma with nongerm cell elements and site (mediastinum), while only immature teratoma with nongerm cell elements and site predicted for survival. Patients with immature teratoma had a comparable relapse-free and over-all survival as those with mature teratoma. Using a multivariate analysis, primary tumor site at the mediastinum was the most significant adverse factor predictive for relapse and survival. This study appears to support the various pre-clinical models that demonstrate multipotential capabilities of teratoma. Complete surgical excision of teratoma remains the most effective treatment with continued close followup recommended for high risk patients (immature teratoma with nongerm cell elements, large tumor burden and primary mediastinal tumors) with resected teratoma.

Phase II study of etoposide for carcinoma of the prostate

The treatment of prostate carcinoma with the epipodophyllotoxin derivative etoposide was studied in a multi-institutional phase II trial. An iv dose schedule of 130 mg/m2 daily for 3 days every 3 weeks was utilized. A total of 36 patients were evaluable; the observed total response was 3%. Moderate toxicity (predominantly myelosuppression) was seen utilizing this treatment schedule. It is concluded that etoposide possesses little single-agent therapeutic activity for prostate carcinoma.

VP-16 plus ifosfamide plus cisplatin as salvage therapy in refractory germ cell cancer

Forty-eight evaluable male patients with germ cell tumors (GCT) failing to be cured with first-line therapy were treated with VP-16 (75 mg/m2), ifosfamide (1.2 g/m2), and cisplatin (20 mg/m2) (VIP), all given daily for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. All patients either achieved an unresectable partial remission as their best response to induction chemotherapy (Group A), relapsed from complete remission (CR) less than or equal to 2 months after induction therapy (Group B), or had received cisplatin plus VP-16 as previous salvage therapy (Group C). Nine (19%) had extragonadal GCT, and 37 (77%) had advanced disease. Twenty-three (48%) of the patients had greater than or equal 2 prior treatment regimens. Sixteen of 48 (33%) achieved CR with VIP treatment alone or following surgical excision of residual disease. Six of 22 (27%), three of seven (43%), and seven of 19 (37%) patients from groups A, B, and C, respectively, attained a CR. The median survival time of all patients was 7 months (range 0 to 28+) with seven patients remaining continuously free of disease (four patients greater than 1 year). Myelosuppression was significant with a median WBC nadir of 900/mm2 and platelet nadir of 24,000/mm2. Fourteen (26%) had granulocytopenic fever, and renal insufficiency developed in 15%. VIP combination chemotherapy demonstrates activity in this highly unfavorable population of patients with germ cell tumors. The actual contribution of ifosfamide in this regimen is unclear, but these results compare favorably to our experience with similar patients treated with cisplatin plus VP-16 alone. Further studies with VIP as initial salvage therapy for patients with GCT are planned.

Chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. Comparison of cisplatin + vinblastine + bleomycin versus methotrexate

One hundred ninety-one patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck origin were allocated at random to chemotherapy with conventional-dose weekly intravenous methotrexate or the combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin. Methotrexate induced responses in 16 of 98 patients (16%), whereas 22 of 92 (24%) responded to the combination regimen (P = not significant). Remission duration (20.2 weeks methotrexate; 15.1 weeks combination) was similar on both arms, as was survival (31.4 weeks methotrexate; 29.0 weeks combination). Therapy was relatively well-tolerated on both treatment arms, although methotrexate produced more mucositis and the combination more gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Response to chemotherapy and disease confined to the locoregional area were associated with somewhat longer survival. Combination chemotherapy as given in this study did not improve any observed parameter, and the results of treatment were poor in both arms.

Ifosfamide chemotherapy for pancreatic carcinoma

From April 1982 through February 1984, 29 patients with pancreatic cancer were treated with ifosfamide (1.25-1.5 g/m2 on days 1-5) + N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 2 g p.o. every 6 h on days 1-7 every 3 weeks. In responding patients without serious toxicity, subsequent courses of ifosfamide were escalated every 3 weeks by 0.25 g/m2 per day to a maximum of 2 g/m2 per day, with escalation of NAC to 12 g/day. Patients with KPS less than 50, serum creatinine or bilirubin greater than 2 mg/d 1, or obstructive uropathy were ineligible. The median age was 54 (range 36-78), median KPS 70, and median pretreatment weight loss 9 kg. Toxicity included nausea, vomiting, moderate myelosuppression, and occasional mental confusion. Hematuria (greater than 11 RBC/HPF) developed in only 1/29 courses (17 patients) of ifosfamide at greater than or equal to 1.75 g/m2 per day, and in 7/52 courses (27 patients) overall (13%). Of 27 evaluable patients 6 responded (22%), including 1 with complete response. The median survival was 6 months. Based upon these results, we are currently evaluating ifosfamide + 5-fluorouracil in pancreatic cancer.

VP 16 plus ifosfamide plus cisplatin as salvage therapy in refractory testicular cancer

In patients with refractory germ cell tumour who fail to achieve complete remission (CR) or which achieve CR but subsequently experience disease progression within 2 months of receiving cisplatin + vinblastine + bleomycin (PVB) the results of further treatment are poor. Similarly, third-line therapy after cisplatin with VP 16 salvage rarely produces clinically significant remission. From February 1983 to October 1984 we treated 53 patients with ifosfamide (1.2 g/m2 per day on days 1-5), VP 16 (75 mg/m2 per day on days 1-5), cisplatin (20 mg/m2 per day on days 1-5), and N-acetylcysteine (2.0 g p.o. every 6 h on days 1-7). This was repeated every 21 days for four to six cycles. One group of patients (group A, 20 pts) had achieved partial remission (PR) but still had nonresectable tumours after PVB therapy; a further group (group B, 4 pts) had achieved CR with PVB but then experienced disease progression within 2 months; the remaining patients (group C, 28 pts) had experienced disease progression after one or more salvage attempts, including therapy with cisplatin and VP 16. Of the original 53 patients, 51 were evaluable for response. Toxicity included moderate to severe myelosuppression in almost all patients, fever/sepsis in 8, creatinine greater than or equal to 6 mg% in 4, and hematuria in 4 patients. There were no drug-related deaths. CR was attained in 17/51 patients (34%), these being 8/20 in group A, 1/4 in group B, and 8/28 in group C, and 10 patients have remained in CR for periods ranging from over 1 month to over 17 months. PR was achieved in 20 patients (40%), but their median duration of remission was only 2 months. We feel these results, obtained in a poor-prognosis patient population, are sufficiently encouraging to warrant further study of this regimen, including investigation of its use as initial salvage therapy following PVB.

Ifosfamide in refractory male germ cell tumors

We conducted a phase II clinical trial using ifosfamide (IFX) as a single agent in cisplatin-refractory male germ cell tumor. Thirty patients with measurable disease were treated with IFX, 2 g/m2 intravenously (IV) for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. N-acetylcysteine, 2 g orally every 4 hours, was given as a uroprotective agent. All patients had previously been treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin, and all except two also had previously received etoposide. There were six partial responses (PR) and one complete response (CR) for an overall objective response rate of 23%. The median duration of response was 3.5 months (range, 2 to 5.5 months). The median survival time was 3.5 months (range, 2 to 14+ months). The toxicity of the regimen consisted of hematuria (65% of the patients), nausea and vomiting (43%), neutropenia (WBC less than 2,000; 52%), thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 50,000; 20%), and nephrotoxicity (12%). Hematuria was dose related, occurring in 48% of courses using 2 g/m2/d v only 5% of courses at lower doses. Serious nephrotoxicity (creatinine level greater than 6.0 mg/mL) was observed in three patients with an elevated pretreatment serum creatinine level. In conclusion, IFX is an active agent in this heavily pretreated population with advanced refractory germ cell tumor.

Cisplatin plus 5-FU for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the colon

Cisplatin plus 5-FU appears to have significant additive activity in various tumors, such as head and neck carcinoma and esophageal cancer. A partial explanation for this may be drug synergism, which has been noted in the L1210 leukemia model. Based on these data, a prospective trial of weekly bolus 5-FU (15 mg/kg) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) given every 3 weeks was initiated at Indiana University. Forty-one patients, of whom 38 are fully evaluable for response, were treated with these two drugs. Ten partial and one complete response (complete + partial response rate = 29%) were observed in the 38 evaluable patients. Thirteen additional patients had stable disease for greater than or equal to 3 months. The median durations of remission and survival time were 6 and 10.3 months, respectively. Myelosuppression was unusually severe, with granulocyte counts less than 1000/mm3 in 65% of patients, including four patients with granulocyte count nadirs less than 100/mm3. Three patients developed granulocytopenic fever, with two drug-related deaths (sepsis, hyperosmolar coma). Nearly all patients had nausea and vomiting, but this was not a treatment-limiting toxic effect in any patient. Although this combination suggests a higher response rate than usually seen with bolus iv 5-FU in colon cancer, a trial comparing 5-FU alone or with cisplatin to determine whether true synergy exists is currently underway.

Modified neck dissection for metastatic testicular carcinoma

Carcinoma of the testicle is a unique clinicopathologic entity in that an optimistic attitude toward cure can be entertained even in the presence of distant metastasis. Chemotherapy, followed by an aggressive surgical resection of residual disease, can result in eradication of this neoplasm. This tumor is capable of being monitored by the use of serum markers, namely, human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein. After induction chemotherapy, the transition of elevated serum tumor markers to normal levels suggests that malignant disease has been eliminated or converted to teratoma. Elevated markers indicate persistent or recurrent carcinoma and mandate further chemotherapy. If normalization of tumor markers occurs, any residual mass in the abdomen, chest, or neck should be surgically resected. The otolaryngologist plays a role in the diagnosis and the resection of residual neck disease. Metastatic testicular carcinoma can present as a supraclavicular neck mass and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass in this area. Large residual neck lesions are best removed through the exposure afforded by modified neck dissection.

Hematologic malignancies associated with primary mediastinal germ-cell tumors

Three men with primary mediastinal germ-cell tumors subsequently developed a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by pancytopenia and marrow infiltration with hematopoietic blast cells. Two of these patients were classified as having acute megakaryocytic leukemia and the third was believed to have a myelodysplastic syndrome with a prominent megakaryocytic component. Analysis of clinical characteristics of these patients and review of the literature suggest that the proximate association of mediastinal germ-cell tumors with malignant hematologic disorders is neither a coincidence nor a consequence of chemotherapy given for the germ-cell tumor. We believe this association represents the evolution of a neoplastic disorder that initially involves a totipotent germ cell. These germ cells, when located in the mediastinum, apparently acquire hematologic phenotypes and are manifested clinically as a hematologic malignancy.

Successful treatment of resistant germinal neoplasms with VP-16 and cisplatin: results of a Southeastern Cancer Study Group trial

Between July 1979 and May 1982, we treated 45 male patients with refractory germinal neoplasms. All patients had previously received intensive cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy regimens. Patients received salvage chemotherapy with VP-16 and cisplatin +/- bleomycin +/- doxorubicin. Of 44 evaluable patients, 19 (43%) achieved complete remissions with salvage chemotherapy, 12 (27%) had partial remissions, and nine (21%) had no response. Four patients (9%) were not evaluable for response due to early death or noncompliance but are considered treatment failures. Ten patients (23%) remain alive and continuously disease free 20 to 39 months (median, 29 months) after completion of therapy. Hematologic toxicity was severe, with one death related to sepsis. Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis occurred in 17 patients with two fatalities. The addition of bleomycin and/or doxorubicin to this regimen increases toxicity and probably does not improve treatment results. Salvage chemotherapy with VP-16 and cisplatin offers potentially curative therapy to men with resistant germinal tumors.