← Back to The Absolute Effect
Testicular Germ-Cell Tumours · Medical Oncology · Multiply relapsed / platinum-refractory GCT

Single-agent gemcitabine in refractory GCT

Does single-agent gemcitabine have activity in heavily pretreated refractory germ-cell tumours?

Phase II mixed-GCT study

Population
20 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 a phase II study of heavily pretreated GCT, 3 of 20 assessable patients (15%) had an objective response, including one complete response. Thirteen patients were platinum-refractory.

Objective response3/20
Complete response1/20

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

Later-line, single-arm evidence. The small sample and refractory population mean these results should not be compared directly with first-salvage TIP/VIP/VeIP. Not seminoma-specific.

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

Einhorn LH, Brames MJ, Juliar B, Williams SD. Phase II trial of gemcitabine in refractory germ cell tumors. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17:509–511.

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.