M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) for advanced carcinoma of the bladder. The French Federation of Cancer Centers experience

Eur J Cancer. 1991;27(12):1690-4. doi: 10.1016/0277-5379(91)90447-l.

Abstract

70 patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder received methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (M-VAC). Complete responses (CR) were obtained in 13 of the 67 (19%) evaluable patients and partial responses (PR) in 25 patients for an objective response rate of 57% (95% CI 45-69%). Of the 54 patients who have had a minimum follow-up of 2 years, 8 patients (15%) are disease-free or have stable residual disease. Median survival of the 70 patients was 13 months. Toxicity was acceptable with no drug-related deaths. Because of myelosuppression, only 15 patients (21%) received treatment without delays in drug administration or modifications from the planned schedule. Our results confirm that this regimen is effective, with some patients being long-term survivors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Agranulocytosis / chemically induced
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / drug therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / chemically induced
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / mortality
  • Vinblastine / administration & dosage
  • Vinblastine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Vinblastine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cisplatin
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • M-VAC protocol