title: Cyclic alternating chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung.
abstract: Eighty-two previously untreated patients with small cell cancer of the lung were treated with six cycles of two alternating drug regimens: a new combination of mitomycin, methotrexate, and etoposide; and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine. No maintenance chemotherapy was used. Consolidative thoracic irradiation and prophylactic cranial irradiation were employed. The median survival time for 32 limited-disease patients was 59 weeks, and for 50 extensive-disease patients was 35 weeks. Four-year survival was 12% for limited-disease patients and 2% for extensive-disease patients. These results were not superior to conventional combination chemotherapy regimens.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D008937:Mitomycins; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate