CMV chemotherapy for advanced transitional cell carcinoma

Between May 1986 and September 1990 a total of 43 patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary tract have been treated at our institution with combination chemotherapy (CMV) consisting of cisplatin 100 mg m-2 i.v. day 2; methotrexate 30 mg m-2 i.v. days 1.8; and vinblastine 4 mg m-2 i.v. days 1.8. Chemotherapy was recycled on day 22 and continued for a maximum of six cycles in responding patients. Of 33 patients with measurable disease 8 (24%) achieved a complete remission (CR). The median survival for patients achieving a CR was 13 months (range 5-29+) whilst the median survival for all 43 patients was 7 months (range 1-29+). Only three patients are still alive--two are disease free. More effective and/or less toxic chemotherapy regimens are needed for the treatment of patients with metastatic TCC.