Tirapazamine with cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tirapazamine combined with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Forty-four patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were treated with a combination of tirapazamine and cisplatin. Patients received tirapazamine 260 mg/m2 administered intravenously over 2 hours, followed 1 hour later by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 administered over an additional hour, repeated every 21 days. The duration of therapy was meant to be limited to four cycles for nonresponders and eight cycles for responders.


RESULTS
Ten of 44 patients (23%) showed a partial response. The estimated median survival for all patients was 37 weeks. Toxicities were treatable and included grade 3 nausea or vomiting (25%), fatigue (27.3%), and muscle cramps (4.5%). No dose reductions were necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that tirapazamine can safely be added to cisplatin. Both the median survival and response rate observed strongly suggest that tirapazamine with cisplatin is more active than cisplatin alone.
Treat
J
J
Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Hahnemann Division, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Johnson
E
E
Langer
C
C
Belani
C
C
Haynes
B
B
Greenberg
R
R
Rodriquez
R
R
Drobins
P
P
Miller
W
W
Meehan
L
L
McKeon
A
A
Devin
J
J
von Roemeling
R
R
Viallet
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000077704:Tirapazamine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014227:Triazines; D000077704:Tirapazamine; D002945:Cisplatin