Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin combined in the treatment of advanced sarcomas

Twenty-five patients with evaluable histologically confirmed inoperable metastatic sarcomas were treated once every four weeks with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in doses of 400, 40, and 60 mg/m2, respectively. Cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin were given by rapid intravenous injection followed immediately by cisplatin by slow intravenous infusion (2-6 hr) in 1 liter of 0.45% saline with mannitol added. Leukopenia, alopecia, and vomiting were common side effects and three patients refused further treatment because of vomiting following their initial courses. No drug-related deaths occurred and we removed no one from the study because of toxicity problems. Among the 9 patients who experienced objective tumor regression were 2 of 2 with hemangiosarcoma, 3 of 5 with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 3 of 5 with osteosarcoma, and 1 of 1 with pleomorphic liposarcoma of bone. Although not therapeutically gratifying, these results appear to be better than any previously observed at our institution.