title: Cisplatin-VP16 alternating with cyclophosphamide-epirubicin versus cyclophosphamide-epirubicin-vincristine in small cell lung cancer.
abstract: In the hope of increasing the incidence of objective remissions and the survival time of patients with small cell lung cancer, we conducted a randomized study designed to compare a treatment scheme of alternating chemotherapy featuring cisplatin+etoposide followed by cyclophosphamide+epirubicin versus conventional chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide+epirubicin+vincristine, in a total of 113 patients (56 treated with the alternating regime and 57 treated conventionally). Patients receiving the alternating drug regimen showed some increase in objective remission rates, and above all increased mean survival time (297 days versus 232). The higher incidence of side effects encountered was effectively controlled by the usual medical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Clinical Oncology, University of Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farris
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bisail
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sarobba
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scotto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valzelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Intini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin