[Phase II clinical trials in patients with lung cancer].
The goal of phase II clinical trials is to determine whether a new drug has activity against particular cancers. This trial, therefore, is the most important study in the process of development of investigational new agents and frequently may give misleading results. The design of phase II clinical trials of new anticancer agents in lung cancer has been reviewed based on the Guidelines for the Clinical Evaluation of Antineoplastic Agents notified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan. These guidelines present general approaches to clinical trials and should be adhered to in the development of investigational drugs in humans, although they are not directly mandated by law or regulations. We considered the policies of these guidelines and instituted them based on the actual circumstances in Japan, in order to develop a scientific and rational approach for clinical phase II trials. In addition, we introduced new active agents having a novel mechanism of action that show clinical activity in the treatment of lung cancer, such as irinotecan (CPT-11), a topoisomerase I inhibitor, and paclitaxel (taxol) and taxotere, targeting the microtubules.
Shinkai
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan.
Saijo
N
N
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014481:United States