Combination chemotherapy for patients with advanced carcinoma of the cervix: trial of mitomycin-C, vincristine, bleomycin, and cisplatin

Mitomycin C: a clinical update

Mitomycin C was reviewed in this journal 25 years ago and an update of its clinical usefulness is appropriate. The current review is based on representative publications covering clinical trials performed throughout the world. Single agent activity in each of the major neoplastic diseases has been reassessed when possible and the most important combinations evaluated. It is concluded that mitomycin C has a definite place in the treatment of localized bladder cancer, is active, but needs to be redefined, in the context of newer regimens for breast, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancers, is active in, but is being displaced by, other drugs in cervical, gastric and pancreatic cancers, and is probably no longer of therapeutic value in colon cancer. It is also recognized that as many newer treatments have clinical success, the therapeutic role of mitomycin C will require continuing re-investigation.

Phase II study of vincristine, bleomycin, mitomycin C and cisplatin (VBMP) in disseminated squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

The objective of this study was to study the antitumor activity of the vincristine, bleomycin, mitomycin C and cisplatin (VBMP) scheme in patients with disseminated squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and to document its toxicity. VBMP consisted of vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (max. 2 mg) i.v. day 1, bleomycin 15 mg/day by continuous i.v. infusion on day 1 + 2, mitomycin C 6 mg/m2 i.v. day 3 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 i.v. day 4, and was given every 4 weeks. Bleomycin was withdrawn from the schedule after a cumulative dose of 300 mg (210 mg in patients over 60). Thereafter VMP continued (V + M day 1, P day 2) with the same interval. A median number of 4.5 (range 2-13) treatment cycles was given to 50 fully evaluable patients, 26 with only distant metastases (group A) and 24 with pelvic disease also (23 previously irradiated) (group B). All patients were < 70 years old, had a Karnofsky index >/=60, and measurable metastatic lesions outside previously irradiated areas. They all had normal organ functions and gave informed consent. Response in group A was 54% (31% complete), in group B 25% (all partial), 40% in all. Median time to progression in group A was 20 weeks and in group B 15 weeks; median survival was 42 weeks in group A, 32 weeks in group B, 37 weeks for all patients. Hematologic toxicity was cumulative and the majority of patients needed blood transfusions. Nonhematologic toxicity was acceptable, but in one patient pulmonary toxicity might have contributed to death. Although it is active, it is unclear whether this regimen is superior to cisplatin alone.

Using MR imaging to predict and evaluate the response of invasive cervical carcinoma to systemic chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The goal of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of MR imaging in predicting the response of invasive cervical carcinoma to systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy, to observe with MR imaging the difference in tumor response to chemotherapy between treatment cycles, and to correlate tumor size between MR imaging after chemotherapy and surgical specimen.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Pelvic MR imaging was performed before and after chemotherapy in 41 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma. The difference in tumor reduction between the second course and the third or fourth course of treatment was statistically evaluated in 12 patients. MR images obtained after chemotherapy were compared with surgical specimens to determine residual tumor size in 10 patients.

RESULTS

Tumor volume, complete replacement of cervical stroma with carcinoma, and uterine body involvement by tumor observed in the MR images before treatment were found to be significant factors in predicting tumor response. No difference in tumor reduction was found between the second course and the third or fourth course of chemotherapy. Estimates made on MR imaging of tumor size after chemotherapy were within 5 mm of the resected samples.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic MR imaging proved useful in predicting and assessing the response of invasive cervical carcinoma to chemotherapy.

Cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy for recurrent or primarily advanced cervical carcinoma

Thirty-eight women with primarily advanced (n = 10) or recurrent (n = 28) cervical carcinoma were treated with cisplatin (30 mg/m2/day intravenously) and etoposide (60 mg/m2/day intravenously) for 3 days followed by oral etoposide, 50 mg daily for 7 days, repeated at 28-day intervals. The response rate was 39% (95% confidence limits 24-55%) with response duration of 5 to 36 months. The main toxicities were neutropenia (21% developing neutropenic fever), alopecia, stomatitis, and nausea and vomiting. Despite this all responders had maintained or improved quality of life as defined by symptoms and performance status.

Chemotherapy in recurrent and advanced cervical cancer

Twenty-five patients, ranging from 21 to 61 years of age (median = 45 years), with histologically proven recurrent and advanced cervical cancer were treated with chemotherapy using a combination of bleomycin, ifosfamide, and cis-platinum (BIP). Twenty-one patients were evaluable for response. Ninety percent of patients achieved a subjective response. An objective response was noted in 14 of 21 (66.6%) patients: complete in 4 (19%) and partial in 10 (47.6%). Side effects were mainly nausea/vomiting, alopecia, myelosuppression, reversible encephalopathy, and impaired renal function. One patient died from the toxic effects of chemotherapy. These results indicate that BIP is an active combination in recurrent cervical cancer with acceptable toxicity.

Induction chemotherapy followed by radical surgery in cervical cancer

To evaluate the therapeutic potential of cytotoxic therapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, 28 patients with disease clinically localized to the pelvis were treated with chemotherapy followed by radical pelvic surgery. Treatment consisted of cis-platinum 50 mg/m2, mitomycin C 10 mg/m2, vincristine 1.0 mg/m2, and bleomycin 10 U IM given as a course (over 21 days) of induction chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy and pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy in 26 patients and total pelvic exenteration in 2 patients. The stage distribution of the patients in the study was 4 stage IB, 6 stage IIA, 7 stage IIB, 1 stage IIIA, 11 stage IIIB, and 1 stage IVA. Two patients with stage IIIB cancer were found, at the time of laparotomy, to have carcinomatosis and were excluded from the final evaluation in this study. All patients achieved a clinical and histologic response to chemotherapy. There were 35% complete and 65% partial responses. After chemotherapy, at the time of surgery, 4 patients were found to be histologically free of disease, and the incidence of surgically documented nodal disease after chemotherapy was found to be 32%. There was no significant hematologic or pulmonary toxicity. Induction chemotherapy is well tolerated and may be beneficial in the management of some patients with cervical cancer who are at high risk for failure with conventional treatment.

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare but severe complication of neoplastic disease as well as some of its treatments. The pathophysiology of HUS is poorly understood, but it affects multiple organ systems and carries a high mortality rate. The diagnosis of HUS is based on a clinical triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, and renal failure, for which no proven therapies exist. This report describes a case of HUS developing in a patient with stage IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix following treatment with cisplatin/bleomycin/vincristine neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to radiation therapy.

Effective chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, vincristine, mitomycin C, and cisplatin (BOMP) for a patient with inoperable vulvar cancer

Combination chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, vincristine, mitomycin C, and cisplatin (BOMP) was first applied to an inoperable case (57-year-old) with FIGO stage IV (T3N3 + M1B) squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. After three courses of BOMP therapy, the patient achieved a complete response with few toxic effects and subsequently could undergo radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy. On microscopic examination, only a minute focus of viable squamous cell carcinoma was observed in the vulvar lesion and regional lymph nodes, which was surrounded by fibrotic or necrotic tissues. The patient received a further two courses of BOMP as postoperative chemotherapy. Five courses of BOMP were extremely tolerable and did not require special care. She has been free of disease for 20 months and her present performance status is 0. The encouraging result warrants the use of this combination chemotherapy regimen in other patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

Treatment of advanced cervical cancer by a combination of peplomycin, vincristine, mitomycin-C, and cisplatin

Eighteen patients with advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix were treated with a combination of peplomycin, vincristine, mitomycin-C, and cisplatin (POMP). Ten of the 16 evaluable patients (63%) responded, including 4 with a complete response. Median duration of the response was 7 months. Two of 6 with intrapelvic recurrent tumors responded to some extent following intraarterial infusion. The subcutaneous infusion of peplomycin was well accepted by the patients. Toxicity was tolerable. This regimen seemed to be one of the regimens which should be considered for the advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.

4-epidoxorubicin in recurrent cervical cancer

Thirty-eight patients with histologically proven recurrent cervical cancer were treated with epirubicin, an analogue of anthracycline. There were eight complete responders and ten partial responders. The overall response rate was 47.8%. The survival duration of the responders was significantly longer than that of the nonresponders. The optimal dose of epirubicin has yet to be determined. The dosage of 120 mg/m2 was well tolerated. The role of epirubicin as an adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cervical cancer was discussed.

Bleomycin, vincristine, mitomycin C, and cis-platinum in gynecologic squamous cell carcinomas: a high incidence of pulmonary toxicity

Twenty-three patients with gynecologic squamous cell carcinomas (20 cervical, 2 vulvar, 1 ovarian) were treated with bleomycin, vincristine, mitomycin-C, and cis-platinum. Twenty-one patients had prior radiation therapy. Of the 21 evaluable patients, the response rate was 48% with a median duration of 4 months. Toxicity in the 23 patients was high, with the most significant being that of pulmonary toxicity. Eight patients had pulmonary toxicity with 5 of 8 dying a respiratory death while free of disease. Bleomycin is excreted primarily by the kidneys, and its half-life is known to increase in patients with renal insufficiency. Patients with advanced, recurrent cervical cancer who have failed radiation therapy often have underlying renal compromise. Extreme caution should be exercised when administering bleomycin with nephrotoxic chemotherapeutic agents in this setting.