Doxorubicin chemotherapy in advanced transitional cell carcinoma.

During the past year 25 patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma were treated with intravenous doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), 60 to 75 mg. per square meter of body surface area, every three weeks. Among the 19 evaluable patients, one partial objective remission lasting five months was observed. All 7 patients with bone pain had symptomatic relief and 12 patients had significant subjective improvement lasting an average of six-and-a-half months. Side effects were minimal and consisted of alopecia, mild leukopenia, and mild stomatitis; no significant cardiotoxicity was observed. Doxorubicin hydrochloride appears to have important antitumor activity in advanced urothelial tumors. Controlled clinical trials with this agent alone and in combined drug regimens are needed.