title: Response of 65 measurable epidermoid bronchogenic tumors of known spontaneous doubling time to four different chemotherapeutic regimens--strategic deductions.
abstract: Variations in the dimensions of 65 bronchogenic epidermoid tumors of known spontaneous doubling time were studied under the influence of four chemotherapeutic regimens: cyclophosphamide, 19 cases; Mitomycin C, 20 cases; CCNU, 9 cases; and a five-drug combination, 17 cases. Several parameters were measured, and escape was defined as the moment in time when the growth curve during treatment became parallel to the spontaneous growth curve. The parameters measured were nature and distribution of responses (unchanged progression, slowing-down, plateau, regression), duration of response, time required to achieve maximum response, and time lapse between maximum response and escape. Regarding application to lung cancer, we have concluded from out results that Mitomycin C should replace cyclophosphamide in combination chemotherapeutic regimens. With regard to general strategy, our results suggest that the drug regimen should be changed as soon as maximum response is reached or immediately following the first course if progression continues unchanged. Moreover, in all of the 27 patients whose tumors regressed, escape occurred within less than three months from the onset of the treatment. In view of this fact and insofar as chemotherapy is considered for adjuvant therapy aiming at complete eradication, sequential combinations would be preferable to prolonged administration of a single agent or combination.
mesh_terms: D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008130:Lomustine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008937:Mitomycins; D008130:Lomustine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide