[Therapeutic results using VP 16-213 alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil in liver cancer (hepatoma)].

The podophyllotoxin derivative VP 16-213 was used as monotherapy in 6 patients and combined with 5-fluorouracil in another 6. Of the 12 patients treated, 11 had measurable tumor criteria and 5 of these responded to treatment. These responses were attributed mainly to the effects of VP 16-213. Patients responding to chemotherapy lived significantly longer than non-responders. Each case of objective tumor response was accompanied by subjective improvement. In view of these results, a more active approach to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma would seem to be justified.