title: Phase II trial with alternating two drug schedules, CAP/MEC', for advanced (stage III Mo/M1) non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: Sixty-eight evaluable patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (48), large cell carcinoma (2) and adenocarcinoma (18) of the lung were treated with a six-drug regimen delivering two monthly alternated combinations. The combinations were cisplatin, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (CAP) and methotrexate, etoposide and CCNU (MEC'). Following a minimum of two courses, the overall response rate was 22% (confidence limits, 12% to 32%) (15/68, 2 complete responses and 13 partial responses); 47% (32/68) had stable disease and 31% (21/68) had progressive disease. The responses lasted a median of 3 months (range, 1-15 months). The actuarial median survival was 11 months in responsive patients, 10 months in stable disease patients, and 5 months in progressive patients. The overall median survival obtained was 9 months (range, 2-28+ months). Toxicity was minimal, and subjective tolerance of the treatment appeared good. However, this alternating program did not improve response rate or survival.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Oncologica dell'Università di Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tummarello
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Porfiri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Isidori
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raspugli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biscottini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fatati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cellerino
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D008130:Lomustine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate