High dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transfusion.

Details are given of response and toxicity after high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow infusion. High dose nitrosurea therapy (600-1000 mg/m2 BCNU) was predominantly associated with hematopoietic toxicity but recovery was within 4-5 weeks after BCNU therapy. High dose combination chemotherapy using cytoxan, VP-16-23 and +/- BCNU produced a response rate of approximately 80% (CR + PR + less than PR) of usually short duration in 18 evaluable patients, 17 of whom were previously treated. Hematopoietic recovery was usually complete in 4 weeks. Initial experience with the hematopoietic toxicity experienced after high dose mitomycin and ABMT is also detailed. Future proposals utilizing high dose chemotherapy with ABMT in selected tumors is presented with associated rationale.