CCNU and bleomycin in the treatment of cancer: a Southwest Oncology Group Study

CCNU and Bleomycin, alone or in combination, were used to treat 397 evaluable cases of advanced cancer. Responses defined as 50% or greater reduction in all tumor masses occurred in 13/35 lymphomas, 8/50 brain cancers, and 28/312 other solid tumors. Hematologic toxicity of a life-threatening degree occurred in 33/298 patients evaluable for CCNU toxicity; in an additional 50 it was considered severe. Pulmonary toxicity was severe in 4 patients. Drug-associated deaths (4) included one each due to leukopenia and thrombocytopenia after CCNU; one due to pulmonary toxicity after Bleomycin; and one due to shock after the 20th dose of Bleomycin. There was no suggestion of synergism or additive activity with the two drugs.