Long-term follow-up of a randomised trial of combined chemoradiotherapy induction treatment, with and without maintenance chemotherapy in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung.
The toxicity and efficacy of concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy as induction therapy was evaluated in patients with previously untreated small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC), and in responding patients the value of maintenance chemotherapy was examined. 202 patients received induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide (EP), in combination with cranial and local radiotherapy. 85 patients (42%) developed grades III and IV myelosuppression, the main toxicity of induction treatment. Of the 154 responding patients, 129 were randomised to maintenance chemotherapy with vincristine, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (VAC) or no further treatment. The response rate for the limited disease patients (LD) was 87%, 62% achieving a complete response (CR) and the response rate for extensive disease patients (ED) was 68%, with 26% achieving a CR. 17 patients (11%) completed 10 courses of maintenance chemotherapy. 32 patients (57%) developed grade III and IV neutropenia. Median survival for all patients was 53 weeks (LD, 70 weeks; ED, 42.5 weeks). There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) in the two randomisation arms. This study shows that EP combined with radiotherapy is an effective induction regimen in SCLC. Maintenance chemotherapy with VAC is not associated with increased survival but has significant toxicity after such induction treatment.
Beith
J M
JM
Department of Clinical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Clarke
S J
SJ
Woods
R L
RL
Bell
D R
DR
Levi
J A
JA
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide