title: Vinorelbine treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with special emphasis on elderly patients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the activity and the toxicity of vinorelbine (VNB) in a population of patients with locally advanced inoperable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) including elderly patients unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. VNB was administered at a dose of 25-30 mg/m2, intravenously, weekly until progression. Of the 83 patients who entered the study (median age 63 years, number of patients aged > or = 70 years = 23, median performance status = 80, stage IV in 58 patients, previous chemotherapy in 15 patients), 76 were evaluable. One complete remission and 22 partial remissions were noted (30.2% response rate). Toxicity was mild. Median survival was 9 months. No effect of age upon outcome was detected. Thus, single agent VNB is a reasonable option for advanced NSCLC, particularly in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive Oncology, General Hospital, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crivellari
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Magri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cartei
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mansutti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Foladore
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monfardini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine