title: Carboplatin/etoposide/vincristine therapy in small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Carboplatin is one of the most active agents in untreated small cell lung cancer (SCLC; 14% complete response, CR; and 61% CR + partial response, PR). The combination carboplatin/etoposide/vincristine (CEV) (phase II trial) led to an overall remission rate of 84% in patients with limited disease, with 52% CR. The median survival time with this combination was 13 months in patients with limited disease and 9.5 months in those with extensive disease. The 4-year survival rates are 26% in limited disease and 8% in extensive disease, with a plateau of the survival curve. This regimen is highly effective and exhibits low toxicity in SCLC. To evaluate the role of carboplatin in combination chemotherapy in patients with extensive SCLC, a phase III trial was performed. In this ongoing trial comparing CEV and etoposide/vincristine in SCLC patients with extensive disease, CR and overall response rates are higher in the CEV arm (CR 32 vs. 17%, CR + PR 80 vs. 60%), with statistically significant difference. In summary, chemotherapy regimens containing platinum compounds are among the most active in the treatment of SCLC. The use of the new compound carboplatin instead of cisplatin has led to similar or increased remission rates and is preferable because it has fewer side effects. Preliminary results from this ongoing, prospective, randomized phase III trial will be presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Oncology, Grosshansdorf Hospital, FRG.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gatzemeier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Pawel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laumen
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Hossfeld
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neuhauss
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reck
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lenaz
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012008:Recurrence; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D013997:Time Factors; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide