title: Inefficacy of low-dose continuous oral etoposide in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: J. G. Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Blumenreich
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Farnsley
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kellihan
authors.forename: U G
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hagan
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide