A phase II study of high-dose epirubicin plus cisplatinum in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Thirty-seven patients with unresectable NSCLC received epirubicin (EPI) as i.v. bolus at the dose of 120 mg/sm+cisplatinum (CP) at the dose of 60 mg/sm every 28 days up to the maximum cumulative dose of 840 mg/sm of EPI. Of 35 evaluable patients, 19 (54%) (95% confidence limits: 37%-71%) achieved PR for a median duration of 10 months (range: 2-21). The majority of responsive patients experienced improvement in performance status, related-disease symptoms and body weight. Grades 3-4 leukopenia occurred in 42% of the patients. In five patients there was a > 10% reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction as calculated by radionuclide angiocardiography. None of these patients suffered from cardiac symptoms. The median survival was 9 months (range 2-26). This study shows that inclusion of HD-EPI in a combination regimen contributes to obtaining a high remission rate in advanced NSCLC.
Martoni
A
A
Division of Oncology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Guaraldi
M
M
Casadio
M
M
Busutti
L
L
Pannuti
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin