Methotrexate, etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin (MVIP): an effective first-line therapy for IGCCC intermediate / poor prognosis patients with germ-cell tumors. Single institution experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the antitumor activity and toxicity of methotrexate (M), etoposide (V), ifosfamide (I) and cisplatin (P) combination chemotherapy (MVIP) administered to chemotherapy-naive patients with intermediate / poor prognosis germ-cell tumors (GCT) according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) consensus classification system (IGCCC).

Patients And Methods: From 1992 to 2001 24 consecutive intermediate (n=14)/poor prognosis (n=10) GCT male patients entered prospectively this phase II trial. Patients received methotrexate 250 mg/m(2), day 1, with folinic acid rescue; cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) with appropriate hydration, day 3; ifosfamide 5 g/m(2) with mesna uroprotection, day 3; and etoposide 100 mg/m(2)/day, days 3-5.