Cisplatin, vindesine, and bleomycin (DVB) combination chemotherapy for esophageal carcinoma

Forty-six patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus have been treated with a three-drug combination of cisplatin, vindesine, and bleomycin. Of the 40 patients currently evaluable for response, 21 have had partial remissions (52%). At least four of these responses were almost complete, with only microscopic disease found on endoscopy or review of the resected specimen. Toxic effects have, in general, been manageable. The major toxic effects included nausea and vomiting, nephrotoxicity, and myelosuppression. There were two drug-related deaths: one due to renal failure and one due to sepsis. The three-drug combination appears to be substantially more effective than either the two-drug combination of cisplatin and bleomycin or vindesine alone. Effects on survival cannot yet be evaluated.