Germ cell tumors are cancers that arise from reproductive organs but most commonly affect the ovary and testicles. Researchers report in the December 1st issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology that cisplatin along with epirubicin appears to be effective in certain patients with advanced disease.
This combination to treat metastatic germ cell tumors was shown to help nine patients, out of 30 studied, achieve complete remission. Dr. Pablo M. Bedano, of India University School of Medicine, said that the findings "have established cisplatin-epirubicin as one more alternative in the treatment of refractory germ cell tumors".
The researchers concluded that this regimen has an acceptable level of toxicity and offers potential long term disease survival.
