Phase II study of paclitaxel and cisplatin for advanced urothelial cancer.

PURPOSE

We examined the role of paclitaxel and cisplatin as first line therapy for metastatic urothelial cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 34 patients were enrolled in this study, and all were eligible for treatment and assessable for response. Patients received 135 mg./m.2 paclitaxel intravenously for 3 hours followed by 70 mg./m.2 cisplatin for 2 hours every 3 weeks to a maximum of 6 cycles.

RESULTS

Of the patients 70% experienced a major response to treatment, which was partial/regression in 38% and complete in 32%. Toxicity was manageable with no episodes of grade 4 leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. Nonhematological toxicities included primarily nausea, anorexia and neuropathy, which rarely were severe.

CONCLUSIONS

This regimen of paclitaxel and cisplatin is effective, safe and convenient to administer in an outpatient setting for advanced urothelial cancer.