Author/Authors :
Yildiz, Fatih Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Durnali, Ayse Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Eraslan, Emrah Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Ilhan, Aysegul Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Tufan, Gulnihal Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Aslan, Ferit Medical Park Ankara Hospital - Oncology Department - Ankara - Turkey , Arslan, Ulku Yalcintas Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Alkis, Necati Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Demirci, Umut Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital , Altuntas, Fevzi University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital - Hematology Clinic and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit - Ankara - Turkey , Oksuzoglu, Berna Oncology Department - University of Health Sciences - Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Research and Education Hospital
Abstract :
Purpose: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and highly curable malignancies. However, salvage treatments for relapsed or refractory disease are needed in approximately 20-60% of the patients. As salvage therapy, autologous
stem cell transplantation (ASCT) administered after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) may be a feasible option as well as standard dose chemotherapy (SDCT). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of ASCT in salvage therapy of GCTs retrospectively.
Materials and Methods: Male patients older than 18 years of age who underwent ASCT due to a relapsed/refractory
GCT were included in the study.
Results: The median age of 18 patients included in the study was 28 (19-46). The majority of patients (n:16,
88.8%) had non-seminomatous GCT histology. All of the patients had relapsed or refractory GCTs and received
bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) combination therapy previously. Half of the patients were in the poor risk
group. ASCT was administered as a second-line therapy in 14 (77.7%) patients and third-line therapy in four
(22.2%) patients. There is no ASCT-related exitus. Febrile neutropenia (FN) developed in almost all patients.
Complete response (CR) was obtained in 7 (38.8%) patients, partial response (PR) in four (22.2%) patients after
ASCT. The 2-year progression free survival (PFS) was 44.4% and the median PFS was 8.7 (2.7-12.6) months.
Median overall survival was 22.7 (3.9-41.7) months and 3 years OS was 50.0%.
Conclusion: In conclusion, ASCT was found to be an effective and safe treatment option in salvage therapy of GCT patients in our study.
Keywords :
germ cell tumor , autologous stem cell transplant , high dose chemotherapy , testiculer cancer
