Neoadjuvant cisplatin and etoposide for stage IIIA (clinical N2) non-small cell lung cancer.
In an attempt to improve the curative potential of surgery, 46 patients with unresectable Stage IIIA (Clinical N2) non-small cell lung cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. After 2 or 3 cycles, 45 patients were evaluable for response; the overall response rate was 82% (37/45) with 3 complete and 34 partial responses. Toxicity was primarily hematologic. Surgical exploration was performed on 35 patients, but resection was possible in only 33 (73%). Of these, 28 resections were complete (62%). Four patients (2CR, 2PR; 9%) had no tumor in biopsy specimen. Three deaths were surgery-related. Median survival of the entire 46 patients was 24.5 months with a 2-year survival of 53%. Cisplatin and etoposide is an effective chemotherapeutic regimen for regionally advanced non-small cell lung cancer; the resection and survival rates justify further trials to compare this approach to other treatment modalities.
Darwish
S
S
Divisione di Oncologia Medica, Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia, Italy.
Minotti
V
V
Crinò
L
L
Rossetti
R
R
Maranzano
E
E
Checcaglini
F
F
Fiaschini
P
P
Mercati
U
U
Penza
O
O
Vitali
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin