Modified VAB-3 combination chemotherapy of advanced and recurrent endodermal sinus tumors of the ovary.

Three patients with advanced and recurrent endodermal sinus tumor (EST) of the ovary were treated with modified vinblastine, actinomycin-D, and bleomycin (VAB-3) regimen. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were monitored for all patients during and after therapy. In all patients a clinical response was achieved. In one stage IV patient with huge multiple liver metastases complete response was attained and she is free of disease following secondlook larparotomy. In other two patients, one stage IV and another recurrent, with large liver metastases, partial responses were achieved with normalization of serum AFP. Serum AFP monitoring is valuable for the management of EST, but a negative AFP titer does not eliminate the possibility of persistent or recurrent disease. The VAB-3 combination, previously found effective in metastatic nonseminomatous testicular cancer, is also effective in advanced and recurrent EST of the ovary.