RESPONSE OF PREVIOUSLY UNTREATED METASTATIC RHABDOMYOSARCOMA TO COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY WITH CARBOPLATIN, EPIRUBICIN AND VINCRISTINE

This study aimed to assess the response to a novel combination chemoth erapy containing carboplatin plus epirubicin in previously untreated c hildren with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. 81 children (less than or eq ual to 18 years) were treated between 1989 and 1994 with a combination of carboplatin, epirubicin and vincristine, given as initial therapy as part of a multicentre European trial (SIOP Intergroup Study of Stag e IV Malignant Mesenchymal Tumours in Children). The chemotherapy regi men (CEV) was: carboplatin 500 mg/m(2) plus epirubicin 150 mg/m(2) adm inistered on day 1, and vincristine 1.5 mg/m(2) administered on days 1 and 7. Response was evaluated at day 21. 2 patients achieved complete remission and 41 patients partial remission, with an overall response rate of 53% (95% confidence interval 45-76%). Three patients showed p rogressive disease (4%). Toxicity was mainly haematological, with 52% experiencing grade IV neutropenia and 34% grade IV thrombocytopenia. M ucositis and infections were not severe. There were no toxic deaths. T he combination of carboplatin, epirubicin and vincristine is effective and well tolerated in patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. Copy right (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd