Phase II trial of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide in stage IIIB and IV small-cell lung cancer. Fukuoka Lung Cancer Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
A phase II trial combining cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide was conducted in previously untreated patients with stage IIIB and IV small-cell lung cancer, in an attempt to increase response rates and prolong survival.


METHODS
Previously untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer, with measurable disease, aged < or = 72 years, performance status < or = 2, and adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal function were enrolled in the study. They were treated with 80 mg/m2 cisplatin on day 1, 100 mg/m2 carboplatin on days 2, 3 and 8, and 50 mg/m2 etoposide on days 1, 2, 3 and 8.


RESULTS
A total of 46 patients (20 with stage IIIB and 26 with stage IV disease) were enrolled in the study. A total of 186 courses of chemotherapy were given, and the dose was reduced in 27 courses (15%). The chemotherapy was repeated for four or more courses in 30 patients. There were 10 complete responses and 32 partial responses, for a total response rate of 91% (95% confidence interval, 79% to 98%). The median survival time and 2-year survival rates were 18 months and 22% for stage IIIB disease, and 14 months and 15% for stage IV disease. Major side effects were hematologic: leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or more occurred in 48%, 46%, and 43% of patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The three-drug regimen of cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide is feasible and active against small-cell lung cancer.
Nakanishi
Y
Y
Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. yoichi@kokyu.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Kawarada
Y
Y
Hirose
N
N
Ninomiya
K
K
Miyazaki
M
M
Miyazaki
N
N
Kurita
Y
Y
Kanegae
H
H
Ohgushi
O
O
Ogata
K
K
Yamazaki
H
H
Inutsuka
S
S
Hara
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005047:Etoposide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin