High-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation for germ cell tumors
Author Information
Author(s): M.J. Barnett, C.M.L. Coppin, N. Murray, T.J. Nevill, D.E. Reece, H.-G. Klingemann, J.D. Shepherd, S.H. Nantell, H.J. Sutherland, G.L. Phillips
Primary Institution: Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplantation Program of British Columbia
Hypothesis
Can high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation improve outcomes for patients with poor prognosis nonseminomatous germ cell tumors?
Conclusion
High-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation can lead to significant event-free survival in patients with poor prognosis nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.
Supporting Evidence
- Only one of 17 patients who were autografted in or approaching marker remission subsequently developed disease progression.
- Fourteen patients remain well and free of disease 0.5 to 6.5 years post-BMT.
- Event-free survival was 82% for patients autografted in remission.
Takeaway
This study shows that giving strong chemotherapy and using patients' own bone marrow can help some people with a tough type of cancer get better.
Methodology
Patients received high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation, with two different chemotherapy regimens evaluated.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the non-randomized nature of the study and the specific patient selection criteria.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and included only male patients aged 16 to 38 years.
Participant Demographics
21 male patients aged 16 to 38 years (median 28).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 43% to 94%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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