Quadruple chemotherapy for advanced malignant disease.

The results of treatment of 48 cases of advanced cancer by quadruple chemotherapy are reported. In only 4 patients was an objective remission obtained, although equivocal remissions were observed in 9 patients. This report is at variance with other recent reports. The reasons for the discrepancy are discussed, and while combination chemotherapy may prove more effective if used earlier in the natural history of malignant disease, in this series the technique does not appear to offer any greater chance of remission than chemotherapeutic agents used singly.