Modified cisplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide (PEI) salvage therapy for male germ cell tumors: long-term efficacy and safety outcomes

Since 1985, we introduced a modified combination of etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (PEI) as second-line therapy of adult male germ cell tumors with the aim to reduce toxic effect while maintaining efficacy over the original regimen. Patients received four cycles of ifosfamide at 2.5 g/m2 on days 1–2, etoposide, and cisplatin at 100 and 33 mg/m2, respectively, on days 3–5 every 21 days, followed by surgery. Results were stratified according to the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification Group-2 (IGCCCG-2). From February 1985 to January 2012, 189 patients were treated. 72.6% were IGCCCG-2 intermediate-to-very high risk. Thirty-five patients (18.5%) had a complete response, 67 (35.4%) a marker normalization (PRm-). Median follow-up was 122.1 months (inter-quartile range [IQR]: 71.4–232.0). Two-year progression-free and 5-year overall survival were 34.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28.1% to 41.9%] and 42.1% (95% CI 35.3% to 50.2%), respectively. Survival estimates compared favorably with those obtained by conventional dose chemotherapy (CDCT) regimens in each prognostic category. 70.4% of grade 3–4 neutropenia (25.5% febrile neutropenia), 48.1% thrombocytopenia, 21.2% anemia, 3.2% neurotoxic effect, and no severe renal toxic effect were recorded. Dose-modified Italian PEI should be considered as an appropriate benchmark for CDCT in the first salvage setting.