Induction of remission in hepatocellular carcinoma: A comparison of VP 16 with adriamycin

Abstract

Following a pilot study of VP‐16.213 (180 mg/m² on 3 consecutive days at 2 weekly intervals) in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the efficacy of the drug was compared with that of adriamycin in another 35 patients in a randomized crossover trial. Each drug gave a similar response rate (18 and 28%, respectively) but the duration of response was significantly longer in those receiving Adriamycin. Some patients who had not responded to treatment with Adriamycin had worthwhile remission with VP 16.