A pilot study of intensive weekly chemotherapy for extensive disease small-cell lung carcinoma.
An intensive weekly chemotherapeutic treatment for extensive disease small-cell lung cancer was piloted in 14 patients. The regimen consisted of 6 drugs. Two drugs were given each week for a total of 12 weeks of treatment. Modifications were required in the protocol to attempt to overcome excessive toxicity. Unexpected toxicity included anemia requiring transfusions in 8 of 10 patients completing treatment, sepsis in 8 of 14 with 3 related deaths, and prolonged grade III motor neurotoxicity in 2 patients. All 3 patients who died of sepsis had shown evidence of response, and 8 of the remaining 11 had 90% or greater tumor shrinkage. Two others had a partial response. Median survival time for all patients was 9.3 months.
Wampler
G L
GL
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
Ahlgren
J D
JD
Schulof
R S
RS
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D008727:Methotrexate