title: The clinical impact of teniposide in the treatment of elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: Teniposide (VM26) has been claimed to be active with a moderate toxicity in elderly patients affected by small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Twenty-two patients with SCLC older than 65 years received VM26 as first-line chemotherapy at a dose of 60 mg/m2 on 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. Age distribution ranged from 67 to 80 years (median 72 years). Fourteen patients were men and eight were women. Twelve patients had limited disease (LD) and ten extensive disease (ED). One patient (LD) had a complete response, and four (3 LD, 1 ED) achieved a partial response for an overall response rate of 22.7% (95% CI 6-40%). The most frequent toxicity was myelosuppression: 20 and 15% of patients had grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Our results seem to suggest that VM26 by this schedule is moderately effective in elderly patients with SCLC, and it cannot be recommended as a routine treatment.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera, S. Salvatore, Pesaro, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cascinu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Ferro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ligi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catalano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate; D013713:Teniposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D013713:Teniposide