Combination chemotherapy of docetaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin (DIP) in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a new combination chemotherapy of docetaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin (DIP) in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer.

METHODS

Fourteen patients (nine male and five female; aged 59-82 years) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma, including five patients who have a history of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (MVAC) chemotherapies, received the combination of docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) on day 1, and ifosfamide 1.0 g/m(2) and cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) on days 2-6 and repeated every 21 days, to a maximum of six cycles. Eligibility criteria included performance status (World Health Organization) 0-3; normal bone marrow and liver function; and no symptomatic peripheral neuropathy.

RESULTS

Ten of the 14 patients (72%) demonstrated a partial response (PR), with durations of response ranging from 3 to 12 months [median 6.5 months; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.1-8.7 months]. The response rate of the five patients with MVAC-refractory cancer was 80% with median duration of response 5.5 months, comparable with that of the cases without previous MVAC therapies. Grade 3-4 granulocytopenia occurred in 10 cases (71%), resulting in three episodes (21%) of febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia was observed in five cases (36%). No toxic death was observed. Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy was identified in one case.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated that DIP is an effective regimen for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer, and warrants further investigation.