M-VAC Chemotherapy in Metastatic Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Long Term Results

Sung, Sue Yong; Cho, Yong Hyun; Yoon, Moon Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE: Recent studies have shown the benefits of the use of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin(M-VAC) in the treatment of advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Although the overall and complete response rates and survival is improved from the use of M-VAC, more than 90% of the patients with metastatic disease still die of the disease, with a median survival of approximately 1 year.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To evaulate the long-term results of M-VAC chemotherapy, we reviewed 51 patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who were treated with standard dose M-VAC(30mg/m2 methotrexate on day 1, 15, and 22, 3mg/m2 vinblastine on day 3, 15, and 22, 30mg/m2 doxorubicin on day 3 and 70mg/m2 cisplatin on day 2). There were 43 men and 8 women. The age of the patients ranged from 31 to 74 years(mean 60.8) and the duration of follow up ranged from 2.4 to 79.5 months(mean 23.8).
RESULTS
Of the 51 patients, 10(19.6%) had a complete and 15(29.4%) had a partial response, giving an overall response rate of 49%. The median duration of response was 11.2 months for the 10 patients with a complete response and of these, eight relapsed at a median of 10.4 months after complete response. Survival of patients with a complete response differed significantly from those with no response at 1 year after the start of treatment, but not subsequently. Toxicity included moderated to severe myelosuppression that resulted in sepsis in 2 patients and mild to moderate anorexia, vomiting, alopecia and renal dysfunction.
CONCLUSIONS
Long-term follow up revealed a high relapse rate and poor prognosis in patients with a complete response who received the M-VAC as induction therapy. Therefore, more effective new adjunctive regimens are needed for patients with locally unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma.