title: Optimal duration of chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer: a randomized study of 4 versus 6 cycles of cisplatin-etoposide.
abstract: With the purpose of investigating whether the 6-course standard dose treatment of etoposide-platinum (EP) in small cell lung cancer could be reduced to 4 courses without compromising patient's survival, 70 patients were randomized to receive either 4 or 6 cycles of etoposide 120 mg/m2 i.v. days 1-3 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 day 1. With the intention of comparing these two durations as primary treatment policies, patients were randomized on admission and not after the fourth course. From the 69 evaluable patients 34 received EPx4 cycles and 35 EPx6 cycles. Objective response for EPx4 was achieved by 21 patients (62%, 95% CI 44%-78%) compared to 24 patients (69%, 95% CI 51%-83%) of the EPx6 group. Median times to progression were 6 mo (4-19) and 7 mo (4-40) respectively (P=0.06) in the two groups. Median survivals were 8.5 mo (4-28.5) and 9.5 mo (4-51) (p=0.04) respectively. No differences in the survival of limited-disease patients were shown with 10.5 mo (6-28.5) and 12 mo (8-51) respectively, in the two groups. Patients with extensive disease had a trend favoring prolonged chemotherapy with a median survival of 9 mo (5-16) versus 6.5 mo (4-16.5) for those in the EPx4 group (p=0.09). Toxicity was not significantly more severe in the EPx6 group. In conclusion, patients achieving complete response within 4 cycles may not need continued chemotherapy, but patients with extensive disease may benefit from 2 more cycles.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Dept of Sotiria Hospital, Athens University, Goudi, Greece.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veslemes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polyzos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Latsi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dimitroulis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stamatiadis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dardoufas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rasidakis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsilambros
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jordanoglou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin