Preliminary results of methotrexate, etoposide and cisplatin in the treatment of urothelial cancer

Abstract

Thirty-seven patients with urothelial cancer were given combination chemotherapy with methotrexate, etoposide and cisplatin. Thirty patients were evaluated for response. Response rates were 50% in the primary organ, 50% in the lymph nodes, 0% in lung and bone lesions. Two patients (7%) had a complete response and 12 (40%) had a partial response, for an overall response rate of 47%. The overall response rate rose to 57% in 7 patients treated with escalated doses of methotrexate and cisplatin. The median durations of response were 14 months for complete responders and 16 months for partial responders. Of the 30 evaluable patients, 16 (53%) are alive at a median survival of 30 months. The toxicity of the present regimen was acceptable. The methotrexate-etoposide-cisplatin combination chemotherapy seems to be an effective and safe regimen for urothelial cancer.