Inefficacy of low-dose continuous oral etoposide in non-small cell lung cancer.
Etoposide is more active in small cell lung cancer when given over 5 days than as a single injection. To examine this concept further, we designed this Phase II study in NSCLC using continuous low-dose oral etoposide. We enrolled 19 patients with measurable disease and the standard eligibility criteria. 16 had no prior chemotherapy. Etoposide was given at a dose of 50 mg by mouth daily. The median duration of therapy was 63 days (14-212 days). Toxicity was mild myelosuppression and GI symptoms. Therapy was discontinued because of progression of disease in 13 patients, toxicity (GI) in 3 patients; intercurrent disease, self-removal, and other reasons in 1 patient each. No complete or partial responses were seen (95% CI: 0-17.6%). The median survival after entry into the trial was 159 days (41-571+ days). We conclude that low-dose continuous oral etoposide is a well-tolerated but ineffective regimen in non-small cell lung cancer.
Blumenreich
M S
MS
J. G. Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292.
Sheth
S P
SP
Miller
C L
CL
Farnsley
E S
ES
Kellihan
M J
MJ
Joseph
U G
UG
Hamm
J T
JT
Seeger
J
J
Robinson
L H
LH
Hagan
P C
PC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005047:Etoposide