The treatment of metastatic germ-cell testicular tumours with bleomycin, etoposide and cis-platin (BEP)

Br J Cancer. 1983 May;47(5):613-9. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1983.99.

Abstract

Between July 1979 and December 1981, 43 patients with metastatic germ-cell tumours (36 testicular non-seminomas and 7 testicular seminomas) were treated with 2-6 cycles of bleomycin, etoposide and cis-platin (BEP). Forty (93%) are alive, 37 (86%) with no evidence of disease. Of 36 men with testicular non-seminoma 30 (83.3%) are alive and disease-free at 8-38 months (median 17.0 months). In the latter group 25/28 (89.3%) who had had no prior irradiation are alive and disease-free. Fourteen non-seminoma patients had small volume metastases and 13 are in complete remission, as are 12/14 patients with bulky disease. All 7 patients with advanced seminoma are alive and disease-free. It is concluded that BEP is a well tolerated and effective first line treatment for patients with metastatic germ-cell tumours.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage*
  • Bleomycin / adverse effects
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dysgerminoma / drug therapy
  • Dysgerminoma / secondary
  • Dysgerminoma / therapy
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage*
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / secondary*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / therapy
  • Podophyllotoxin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Etoposide
  • Podophyllotoxin
  • Cisplatin

Supplementary concepts

  • BEP protocol