From 1984 to 1988, we conducted at Institut Gustave-Roussy a phase II trial with a modified VAB-6 (mVAB-6) chemotherapy regimen in 50 patients with good prognosis metastatic non seminomatous germ-cell tumors, including 27 patients (54%) with retroperitoneal lymph nodes only. The mVAB-6 combination consisted of vinblastine 4 mg/m2/day at d1, of actinomycin D1 mg/m2/day at d1, of cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2/day at d1, of cisplatin 120 mg/m2/day at d1 and of bleomycin 20 mg/day from d1 to d3. Four cycles of mVAB-6 were delivered every 4 weeks. A complete response was observed in 46 patients (92%). The other 4 patients achieved a partial response with normal serum tumor markers. Forty-two patients (84%) remain continuously free of disease. Eight relapses subsequently occurred 3 to 60 months after the end of treatment. Overall 45 patients (90%) remain free of disease after a median follow-up of 8 years. The long-term clinical toxicity was minimal. Three patients developed secondary tumors: 2 contralateral non seminomatous germ-cell tumors and 1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We conclude that the mVAB-6 regimen yielded excellent results and minimal long-term toxicity in this group of patients with very good-risk metastatic tumors.