Accelerated BEP for metastatic germ cell tumors: Combined analysis of Australian and U.K. phase I/II trials.

Abstract

4531 Background: Standard chemotherapy for advanced germ cell tumors is 3-weekly BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin). 5-year overall survival is > 90% in good risk disease, but only ~80% in intermediate and ~ 60% in poor risk disease. Accelerated versions of standard regimens have proven more effective in other malignancies. We aimed to determine tolerability and activity of accelerated (2-weekly) BEP by combining data from two single arm, multi-center, phase I/II trials. Methods: The UK trial (n=16) included patients with intermediate and poor risk metastatic germ cell tumours. The Australian trial (n=45) also included patients with radiologically measurable good risk disease. BEP chemotherapy was repeated every 2 weeks for 4 cycles (3 cycles for good risk). The Australian and UK regimens differed for cisplatin (20mg/m2 D1-5; 50mg/m2 D1-2), etoposide (100mg/m2 D1-5; 165mg/m2 D1-3), bleomycin (30kIU weekly x 12 or 9; 30kIU at 4-6 day intervals x 12), and pegylated G-CSF (6mg D6; 6mg D4) respectively. Primary endpoint for combined analysis was 2-year progression-free survival. Results: 61 patients were enrolled from 2004-09 (UK) and 2008-10 (Australia). 17 had poor risk, 28 intermediate risk, 16 good risk disease. Median follow-up is 27 months (range 6 to 81). Adverse events are presented in the table. 45 of 61 patients (74%) achieved a complete response to chemotherapy +/- surgery (9 of 17 poor risk (53%), 20 of 28 intermediate risk (71%), 16 of 16 good risk disease (100%)). 11 of 61 patients have relapsed. 2 patients have died of disease (both intermediate risk). 2 year overall survival is 98%. 2 year progression-free survival is 65% for poor risk, 86% for intermediate risk, and 92% for good risk disease. Conclusions: Efficacy data are promising, particularly for intermediate and poor risk disease. Adverse events appear comparable to standard BEP. These results provide the rationale for an international trial randomised trial comparing accelerated and standard versions of BEP. [Table: see text]