Fifteen patients with advanced, cisplatin-refractory germ cell tumors (GCT) were treated with iproplatin (CHIP). No objective responses were noted in any of the patients treated. By restricting the entry criteria to heavily pre-treated patients, the identification of new active agents in phase II trials may be hindered. Alternative strategies for the investigation of new agents in patients with GCT should be considered, particularly when studying the efficacy and relative toxicity of platinum analogues.