Therapy of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck using combination vincristine, bleomycin, and methotrexate. A southwest oncology group study

Abstract

Fifty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with the combination of vincristine, bleomycin, and methotrexate (VBM) on an every 2-week schedule. The overall CR + PR rate was 20%. Median response duration was 10 weeks. The toxicity during this trial was comparable to previously reported VBM regimens. The response rate was less than or no better than those previously reported for VBM or methotrexate alone. Therefore, this regimen offers nothing over methotrexate alone or other VBM regimens.

Intracavitary Therapy

“…This agent has shown interesting activity in the management of patients with squamous cell carcinomas (Crooke and Bradner, 1976;Smith et al, 1986). In 1985, Takayashi reported the first institutional series of seven pediatric craniopharyngioma patients treated with intracystic bleomycin (Takahashi et al, 1985).…”