Cervix carcinoma: treatment with combination cisplatin and bleomycin

Thirty patients with metastatic carcinoma of the cervix were treated with a combination of cisplatin and bleomycin. Thirty patients were evaluable for toxicity and 24 were evaluable for response. Thirteen patients achieved a partial remission for an objective response rate of 54% with a median duration of 3.5 months. The response rate for extrapelvic disease without prior radiation was 57% while the response rate for disease recurring in the previously irradiated pelvic area was only 36%. Response rates were higher in tumors with nonsquamous histology. Survival times for responders and nonresponders were not significantly different. Significant toxicity was observed. It is concluded that the combination of high-dose cisplatin and bleomycin infusion in patients with recurrent cervix cancer has an improved response rate. However, these responses are of short duration and drug toxicity is significant. The role of this combination for adjuvant studies is discussed.