Etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine for the treatment of metastatic, high-risk gestational trophoblastic disease

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a regimen of etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine in patients with metastatic, high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors.

Methods: Twelve women with metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma received 64 treatment cycles. All met the National Cancer Institute criteria for high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumors. Response was evaluated by monitoring serial serum beta-hCG levels. Toxicity was recorded using standard World Health Organization criteria.

Results: There was no life-threatening toxicity. Neutropenia necessitating a 1-week delay of treatment occurred with only eight treatment cycles (12.5%) and deferral of vincristine and cyclophosphamide with three cycles. Anemia requiring transfusion complicated only two cycles. Peripheral neuropathy in two patients was treated by discontinuing vincristine. Other toxicities included nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia, conjunctivitis, thrombocytopenia, and fever. Ten of the 12 subjects experienced a complete response. Two had partial responses and one with an initial complete response had relapse 4 months after completing therapy; all three were successfully salvaged with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Overall survival was 100%, and all 12 patients are disease-free with a median follow-up of 26 months.

Conclusions: Chemotherapy with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine is well tolerated and highly effective for metastatic, high-risk gestational trophoblastic disease.