Sequential Trials of Methotrexate, Cisplatin and Bleomycin for Penile Cancer

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Abstract
Methotrexate, bleomycin or cisplatin was used to treat 21 patients with advanced bidimensionally measurable epidermoid carcinoma of the penis. Patient characteristics were similar in all 3 drug trials. Drug therapy was continued with each agent until the disease progressed. Significant tumor regression was observed in 8 of 13 men (61%) treated with methotrexate, 3 of 12 (25%) treated with cisplatin and 3 of 14 (21%) treated with bleomycin. Responders tended to be younger than nonresponders (median age 48 vs. 59 yr, respectively, P < 0.05), and lived a median of 8 vs 2 mo., respectively (P = 0.03). Cross-resistance was not encountered among the 3 drugs. Future trials might investigate combination regimens of all 3 agents.