Single agent activity of carboplatin in patients with previously untreated non-seminomatous germ cell tumours

Abstract

The response to a single course of carboplatin has been investigated in 12 patients with previously untreated non–'seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours. Patients received one course of carboplatin at a dose calculated to achieve a target area under the free carboplatin plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) of 7 mg/ml × mins using the formula: dose (mgs) = target AUC × (GFR + 25). Response to carboplatin was assessed after a single course and treatment was then continued on the POMB/ ACE schedule. Ten of 12 patients had either a >50% de– crease in serum HCG and/or AFP levels or a >50% decrease in tumour volume after a single course of carboplatin. No patient had evidence of disease progression after carboplatin. This study demonstrates that single agent carboplatin is highly active in patients with non–seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours and thus provides evidence to justify its inclusion in chemotherapy combinations.