Phase II trial of topotecan in patients with cisplatin-refractory germ cell tumors.

Fifteen patients with advanced, cisplatin-refractory germ cell tumors (GCT) were treated on a phase II trial with topotecan. None of the 14 evaluable patients achieved a complete or partial response. Myelosuppression was the major toxicity. The median nadir leukocyte count was 1.75 cells/mm3, neutrophil count was 1.55 cells/mm3, hemoglobin was 8.75 gm/dl, and platelet count was 20,500 cells/mm3. Topotecan is not efficacious in the treatment of cisplatin-refractory GCT.