Accelerated v's Standard BEP Chemotherapy for Patients With Intermediate and Poor-risk Metastatic Germ Cell Tumours (P3BEP)

August 30, 2026 updated by: University of Sydney

Phase 3 Accelerated BEP: A Randomised Phase 3 Trial of Accelerated Versus Standard BEP Chemotherapy for Patients With Intermediate and Poor-risk Metastatic Germ Cell Tumours

The purpose of this study is to determine whether accelerated BEP chemotherapy is more effective than standard BEP chemotherapy in males with intermediate and poor-risk metastatic germ cell tumours.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin (BEP) administered 3-weekly x 4 remains standard 1st line chemotherapy for intermediate- and poor-risk metastatic germ cell tumours (GCTs). Cure rates are over 90% for good-risk disease, 85% with intermediate-risk, and about 70% for poor-risk disease. Previous strategies to improve first-line chemotherapy have failed to improve cure rates and were more toxic than BEP. New strategies are needed for patients with intermediate and poor-risk disease. BEP is accelerated by cycling Cisplatin and etoposide 2-weekly instead of 3-weekly. The Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) is conducting a trial comparing accelerated BEP with standard BEP. The aim of this study is to determine if accelerated BEP is superior to standard BEP as first-line chemotherapy for intermediate and poor risk metastatic GCTs.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

500

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
    • England
      • Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • Cambridge University Hosptial
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Danish Mazhar
        • Contact:
      • Lancaster, England, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Alison Birtle
        • Contact:
      • London, England, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • St Bartholomew's Hospital
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jonathan Shamash
        • Contact:
      • London, England, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • The Royal Marsden Hospital
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Robert Huddart
        • Contact:
      • London, England, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • University College Hospital, London
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Sara Stoneham
        • Contact:
      • Southampton, England, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • University Hospital Southampton
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Matthew Wheater
        • Contact:
    • Northern Ireland
      • Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
    • Scotland
      • Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jeffery White
    • South East Wales
      • Cardiff, South East Wales, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • Velindre Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Satish Kumar
    • West Yorkshire
      • Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
        • Recruiting
        • St James's University Hospital, Leeds
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Elaine Dunwoodle
  • United States
    • California
      • Downey, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Robert M Cooper
      • Loma Linda, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Loma Linda University Medical Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Albert Kheradpour
        • Contact:
      • Long Beach, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jacqueline N Casillas
      • Los Angeles, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Los Angeles General Medical Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Anishka D'Souza
        • Contact:
      • Los Angeles, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Anishka D'Souza
        • Contact:
      • Palo Alto, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford University
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jay M Balagtas
      • Palo Alto, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Stanford Cancer Institute Palo Alto
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Sandy Srinivas
        • Contact:
      • San Diego, California, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • William D Roberts
    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Amy Leanne L Walz
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States
        • Recruiting
        • University of Illinois
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Dipti S Dighe
      • Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Advocate Children's Hospital-Oak Lawn
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Rebecca E McFall
      • Park Ridge, Illinois, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Advocate Children's Hospital-Park Ridge
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Rebecca E McFall
        • Contact:
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore, Maryland, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Johns Hopkins University/Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Alan D Friedman
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Lindsay A Frazier
    • Missouri
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Washington University School of Medicine
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Frederick S Huang
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10065
        • Recruiting
        • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Darren Feldman
    • Ohio
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Paul J Monk
    • Texas
      • Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Driscoll Children's Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Nkechi I Mba
      • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75235
        • Recruiting
        • UT Southwestern/Simmons Cancer Center-Dallas
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jonathan E Wickiser
      • San Antonio, Texas, United States
        • Recruiting
        • University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Aaron Jon J Sugalski
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
        • Recruiting
        • Primary Children's Hospital
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Matthew Dietz
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

7 years to 41 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age ≥ 11 years and ≤ 50 years on the date of randomisation
  2. Histologically or cytologically confirmed germ cell tumour (non-seminoma or seminoma); or Exceptionally raised tumour markers (AFP ≥ 1000ng/mL and/or HCG ≥ 5000 IU/L) without histologic or cytologic confirmation in the rare case where pattern of metastases consistent with GCT, high tumour burden, and a need to start therapy urgently
  3. Primary arising in testis, ovary, retro-peritoneum, or mediastinum
  4. Metastatic disease or non-testicular primary
  5. Intermediate or poor prognosis as defined by IGCCC classification3 (modified with different LDH criteria for intermediate risk non-seminoma, and inclusion of ovarian primaries). (See protocol for more information).
  6. Adequate bone marrow function with ANC ≥1.0 x 10^9/L, Platelet count ≥100 x 10^9/L
  7. Adequate liver function where bilirubin must be ≤1.5 x ULN, except participants with Gilbert's Syndrome where bilirubin must be ≤2.0 x ULN; ALT and AST must be ≤2.5 x ULN, except if the elevations are due to hepatic metastases, in which case ALT and AST must be ≤ 5 x ULN
  8. Adequate renal function with estimated creatinine clearance of ≥60 ml/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula, unless calculated to be < 60 ml/min or borderline in which case GFR should be formally measured, eg. with EDTA scan
  9. ECOG Performance Status of 0, 1, 2, or 3
  10. Study treatment both planned and able to start within 14 days of randomisation.
  11. Willing and able to comply with all study requirements, including treatment, timing and nature of required assessments
  12. Able to provide signed, written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Other primary malignancy (EXCEPT adequately treated non-melanomatous carcinoma of the skin, germ cell tumour, or other malignancy treated at least 5 years previously with no evidence of recurrence)

  2. Previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy, except if patient has pure seminoma relapsing after adjuvant radiotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy with 1-2 doses of single agent carboplatin or if patient hasb. non-seminoma by IGCCC criteria or stage IV malignant ovarian germ cell tumour in the rare case where low-dose induction chemotherapy is given prior to registration because patient is not fit enough to receive protocol chemotherapy (eg. organ failure, vena cava obstruction, overwhelming burden of disease). Acceptable regimens include cisplatin 20 mg/m2 days 1-2 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 days 1-2; carboplatin AUC 3 days 1-2 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 days 1-2; or baby-BOP.43 Patients must meet all other inclusion and exclusion criteria at the time of registration.

    Additionally participants who need to start therapy urgently prior to completing study-specific baseline investigations may commence study chemotherapy prior to registration and randomisation. Such patients must be discussed with the coordinating centre prior to registration, and must be registered within 10 days of commencing study chemotherapy.

  3. Significant cardiac disease resulting in inability to tolerate IV fluid hydration for cisplatin
  4. Significant co-morbid respiratory disease that contraindicates the use of bleomycin
  5. Peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 or clinically significant sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus
  6. Concurrent illness, including severe infection that may jeopardize the ability of the participant to undergo the procedures outlined in this protocol with reasonable safety
  7. Inadequate contraception. Men must use 2 effective methods of contraception, including use of a condom, during chemotherapy and for a year after completing chemotherapy.
  8. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs
  9. Presence of any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition that in the opinion of the investigator would hamper compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule, including alcohol dependence or drug abuse

The above inclusion and exclusion criteria will apply to stage 1 (n=150) and stage 2 (n=500 including stage 1) of the study. All sites will participate in both stages of the study with the exception of the Children's Oncology Group who will be participate in stage 1 only.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Standard Arm - Standard BEP

Participants 16 years or older will receive 4 cycles of Standard BEP as follows:

  • Bleomycin 30,000 IU IV weekly for 3 doses
  • Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Pegylated G-CSF 6 mg SCI on day 6

Patients < 16 years old and weighs ≥ 45 kg will receive:

  • Bleomycin *15,000 - 30,000 IU IV weekly for 3 doses
  • Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Pegylated G-CSF 6 mg SCI on day 6

Patients <16 years old and weighs < 45 kg will receive:

  • Bleomycin *15,000 - 30,000 IU IV weekly for 3 doses
  • Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5

  • Filgrastim 10mcg/kg/day on day 6, until post-nadir Absolute Neutrophil Count ≥1 x10^9/ L

    • The dose of bleomycin is decided by the treating physician and based on the patient's Body Surface Area.

Each cycle is 3 weeks (21 days).

The planned total duration of treatment is 12 weeks.
Drug: Bleomycin (active name: Bleomycin Sulfate)

Standard Arm: Bleomycin 30,000 international units IV weekly for 3 doses (eg. days 1, 8 and 15 or days 2, 9 and 16 of a 21-day cycle) for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: Bleomycin 30,000 international units IV weekly for 2 doses (eg. days 1 and 8 or days 2 and 9 of a 14-day cycle) for 4 cycles. Followed by Bleomycin 30,000 international units IV weekly for 4 doses.

Other Names:
  • Blenamax (Aspen)
  • DBL Bleomycin Sulphate (Willow Pharmaceuticals Pty Limited)
  • Bleo Powder for injection (Hospira)
Drug: Etoposide

Standard Arm: Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: 100 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Other Names:
  • DBL Etoposide Injection (Hospira)
  • Etopophos (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
  • Etoposide (Pfizer)
  • Etoposide Ebewe (Sandoz)
Drug: Cisplatin

Standard Arm: Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Ebewe (Sandoz)
  • Cisplatin injection (Pfizer)
  • DBL Cisplatin Injection (Hospira)
Drug: Pegylated G-CSF (Pegfilgrastim)
Standard Arm: 6 mg SCI on day 6 of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles. Accelerated Arm: 6 mg SCI on day 6 of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.
Other Names:
  • Neulasta Syringe with Automatic Needle Guard (Amgen)
Drug: Filgrastim

Standard Arm: 10 mcg/kg/day on day6, until post-nadir absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 x 10^9/L, of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: 10 mcg/kg/day on day 6, until post-nadir absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 x 10^9/L, of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Other Names:
  • Neupogen (Amgen)
  • Nivestim (Hospira)
  • Tevagrastim (Teva Pharma Australia Pty Ltd)
  • Zarzio (Sandoz)
Experimental: Experimental Arm - Accelerated BEP

Participants 16years or older will receive 4 cycles of Accelerated BEP as follows:

  • Bleomycin 30,000 IU IV wkly for 2 doses
  • Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on day 1- 5
  • Pegylated G-CSF 6 mg SCI on day 6

Patients <16years and weighs ≥45 kg will receive:

  • Bleomycin *15,000 - 30,000 IU IV wkly for 2 doses
  • Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Pegylated G-CSF 6 mg SCI on day 6

Patients <16years and weighs <45 kg will receive:

  • Bleomycin *15,000 - 30,000 IU IV wkly for 2 doses
  • Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on day 1 - 5
  • Filgrastim 10mcg/kg/day on day 6, until ANC ≥1 x10^9/ L

Each cycle is 2 weeks (14days)

Following 4xBEP cycles, patients will receive additional bleomycin as follows:

- Bleomycin *15,000 - 30,000 IU IV wkly for 4 doses

* The dose of bleomycin is decided by the treating physician and based on the patient's BSA.

The planned total duration is 12 weeks.
Drug: Bleomycin (active name: Bleomycin Sulfate)

Standard Arm: Bleomycin 30,000 international units IV weekly for 3 doses (eg. days 1, 8 and 15 or days 2, 9 and 16 of a 21-day cycle) for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: Bleomycin 30,000 international units IV weekly for 2 doses (eg. days 1 and 8 or days 2 and 9 of a 14-day cycle) for 4 cycles. Followed by Bleomycin 30,000 international units IV weekly for 4 doses.

Other Names:
  • Blenamax (Aspen)
  • DBL Bleomycin Sulphate (Willow Pharmaceuticals Pty Limited)
  • Bleo Powder for injection (Hospira)
Drug: Etoposide

Standard Arm: Etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: 100 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Other Names:
  • DBL Etoposide Injection (Hospira)
  • Etopophos (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
  • Etoposide (Pfizer)
  • Etoposide Ebewe (Sandoz)
Drug: Cisplatin

Standard Arm: Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: Cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Ebewe (Sandoz)
  • Cisplatin injection (Pfizer)
  • DBL Cisplatin Injection (Hospira)
Drug: Pegylated G-CSF (Pegfilgrastim)
Standard Arm: 6 mg SCI on day 6 of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles. Accelerated Arm: 6 mg SCI on day 6 of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.
Other Names:
  • Neulasta Syringe with Automatic Needle Guard (Amgen)
Drug: Filgrastim

Standard Arm: 10 mcg/kg/day on day6, until post-nadir absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 x 10^9/L, of a 21-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Accelerated Arm: 10 mcg/kg/day on day 6, until post-nadir absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 x 10^9/L, of a 14-day cycle for 4 cycles.

Other Names:
  • Neupogen (Amgen)
  • Nivestim (Hospira)
  • Tevagrastim (Teva Pharma Australia Pty Ltd)
  • Zarzio (Sandoz)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Progression-free survival (disease progression or death)
Time Frame: From randomisation up to disease progression or date of death whichever come first, assessed up to 5 years
PFS is measured from the date of randomisation until the criteria for disease progression are met (as defined in the protocol) or death. Participants who are not observed to progress nor die will be censored at the date of last follow-up
From randomisation up to disease progression or date of death whichever come first, assessed up to 5 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Initial response assessment
Time Frame: At end of chemotherapy treatment, treatment planned for 12 weeks
The assessment of response of germ cell tumours is measured by the change in size of measurable tumour masses in combination with changes in serum tumour markers after chemotherapy treatment.
At end of chemotherapy treatment, treatment planned for 12 weeks
Final response assessment
Time Frame: At 6 months
The assessment of response of germ cell tumours is measured by changes in serum tumour markers and imaging at 6 months from randomisation, or after any post-chemotherapy surgical resection or other intervention, whichever occurs last.
At 6 months
Adverse events (worst grade according to NCI CTCAE v4.03)
Time Frame: From start of chemotherapy until 30 days after last dose, an average of 4 months
The intensity of adverse events will be assessed using the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4 (NCI CTCAE v4.03)
From start of chemotherapy until 30 days after last dose, an average of 4 months
Health-related quality of life
Time Frame: From date of randomisation until date of 18 month follow-up
HR-QoL measures will include the EORTC core quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30), a 30-item cancer-specific questionnaire that is well-validated and available in many languages.
From date of randomisation until date of 18 month follow-up
Health-related quality of life for testicular cancer
Time Frame: From date of randomisation until date of 18 month follow-up
EORTC quality of life module for testicular cancer (QLQ-TC26), a disease-specific measure with 26 items about physical symptoms, sexual functioning and emotional issues.
From date of randomisation until date of 18 month follow-up
Treatment preference
Time Frame: From date of randomisation until date of 18 month follow-up
A trial-specific preferences question will be used to determine if participants think they would prefer to be treated with accelerated BEP or standard BEP, assuming that they were equally effective.
From date of randomisation until date of 18 month follow-up
Delivered dose-intensity of chemotherapy (relative to standard BEP)
Time Frame: From start date of chemotherapy treatment until date of end of chemotherapy, an average of 12 weeks
Delivered dose-intensity of cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin will be assessed.
From start date of chemotherapy treatment until date of end of chemotherapy, an average of 12 weeks
Overall survival
Time Frame: From randomisation up to disease progression or date of death whichever come first, assessed up to 5 years
Overall survival is measured from the date of randomisation until death from any cause, or the date of last known follow-up alive.
From randomisation up to disease progression or date of death whichever come first, assessed up to 5 years

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Exploratory biomarker investigations
Time Frame: Baseline
Associations between biomarkers with survival will be assessed in the future.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Sydney

Collaborators

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
University of Southern California
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Children's Oncology Group
Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group
Cancer Trials Ireland

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Peter Grimison, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2014

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 7, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 19, 2015

First Posted (Estimated)

October 21, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 1, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 30, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ANZUP1302
  • ACTRN12613000496718 (Registry Identifier: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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