Regional plus systemic chemotherapy: an effective treatment in recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine the activity and toxicity of regional chemotherapy using an isolated thoracic perfusion (ITP) technique as second-line treatment for patients with advanced and recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Eighteen patients with relapsed NSCLC confined to the thoracic region entered the study and received regional chemotherapy using ITP plus low-dose systemic chemotherapy. All 18 patients had been pre-treated with some form of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiotherapy. The cytostatic regimen had two components: (1) ITP using mitomycin 10 mg/m(2), navelbine 25 mg/m(2)and cisplatin 30 mg/m(2)on day 1; (2) systemic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil 250 mg/m(2)and cisplatin 20 mg/m(2)given as a continuous infusion over 24 h on days 1-4.


RESULTS
All 18 patients were assessable for toxicity, tumour response and survival. There were 10/18 responses (CR 0; PR 10): a response rate of 56%. Side-effects were transient and acceptable. No treatment-related death occurred. Median survival was 21 months and the 1-year survival rate was 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
Regional chemotherapy using ITP plus low-dose systemic chemotherapy is effective in recurrent advanced NSCLC, with an encouraging survival outcome.
Müller
H
H
Department of Oncologic Surgery, Carl von Hess Hospital, Hammelburg, Germany.
Guadagni
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D016685:Mitomycin; D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D005472:Fluorouracil