Vinblastine, cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil (VEF) combination chemotherapy for metastatic hypernephroma

10 evaluable patients with metastatic hypernephroma received vinblastine (6 mg/m2, i.v., on days 1 and 8), cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2, p.o., on days 1-14), and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2, i.v., on days 1 and 8), cycled every 29 days. 7 of the patients also received dexamethasone (16 mg/day, p.o), shortly before or during chemotherapy, in an attempt to improve their clinical status. No complete or partial responses were seen. 5 pairs (50%) remained stable (median duration, 4.5 months; medium survival, 6.5 months), and the remaining 5 patients progressed. A subjective response was observed in all stable patients, who also received dexamethasone. The side-effects of VEF chemotherapy were mild: 2/10 patients developed leukopenia (WBC below 3,000), 3/10 patients manifested thrombocytopenia (platelets below 100,000), and 3/10 patients alopecia.