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Testicular Germ-Cell Tumours · Medical Oncology · Refractory / multiply treated GCT

ECOG E9897: paclitaxel plus gemcitabine

What activity does paclitaxel plus gemcitabine have in germ-cell tumours considered incurable with chemotherapy or surgery?

Phase II mixed-GCT study

Population
28 assessable

Study population as reported in the cited publication; cohort sizes and denominators are stated where available.

Evidence type
Mixed GCT · phase II

Not all evidence is randomized, comparative, or seminoma-specific.

Reported outcomes

In ECOG E9897, 6 of 28 assessable patients (21.4%) responded to paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, including 3 complete responses. Two complete responders remained disease-free at 15+ and 25+ months.

Objective response6/28
Complete response3/28

Bars visualize source-reported percentages; where the denominator is shown, it is the observed count/denominator rather than a comparative treatment effect. NNT is not calculated for single-arm cohorts or non-randomized comparisons.

Interpretation and limitations

This was a small phase II study in highly refractory disease; it supports later-line activity but is not evidence that this combination should replace standard first salvage. Mixed histology.

Guideline context: ESMO–EURACAN recommends standard-dose VIP/PEI, TIP or VeIP as conventional first salvage options after relapse following cisplatin-based chemotherapy. NCCN Testicular Cancer Guidelines Insights (Version 2.2025) is a contemporary US guideline source. The study summarized here is not necessarily seminoma-specific; histology scope is stated explicitly below.

Guidelines: ESMO–EURACAN 2022 · NCCN Insights v2.2025

Primary study source

Hinton S, Catalano P, Einhorn LH, et al. Phase II study of paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in refractory germ cell tumors (E9897). J Clin Oncol. 2002;20:1859–1863.

Original study / PubMed / registry ↗

Evidence review date: 18 October 2026. Confirm regimen choice and dose schedules against current guideline text and an expert germ-cell tumour multidisciplinary team.