Carboplatin plus oral etoposide in the management of unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. Preliminary results of a Vanderbilt trial.
Forty-two patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with carboplatin (300, 350 or 400 mg/m2) and 21 days of oral etoposide (50 mg/m2/day). Thirty-three patients were evaluable for response (too early to assess the remaining patients) and 9 patients (27%) achieved a partial remission. Median survival was 29 weeks (range, 4+ to 71+ weeks). The primary toxicity was myelosuppression. Leukocyte and platelet count nadirs occurred between days 22 and 29. In cycle 1, median leukocyte nadir was 2.8 x 10(9)/l and the platelet nadir was 142 x 10(9)/l. Nonhematologic toxicities were modest and included alopecia in all patients, mild nausea, mild to moderate diarrhea, and an occasional increase in serum creatinine. Carboplatin plus oral etoposide is a tolerable outpatient regimen with modest activity against unresectable NSCLC.
Johnson
D H
DH
Division of Medical Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Clinic, Nashville, Tenn 37232-5536.
Hainsworth
J D
JD
DeVore
R
R
Hande
K R
KR
Greco
F A
FA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010976:Platelet Count
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin