Randomized phase II study of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine compared with single-agent carboplatin in patients with poor prognosis small cell lung carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Information on the effect of chemotherapy in a group of patients with poor prognosis, poor performance status small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is scarce. A randomized study comparing single-agent carboplatin with combination chemotherapy in this largely unreported population of SCLC patients was undertaken.


METHODS
One hundred nineteen patients were allocated to four cycles of either cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine (CAV) or single-agent carboplatin. Patients had either a Karnofsky performance score < or = 50 and/or a prognostic score indicative of a 1-year survival rate < or = 15%.


RESULTS
Grade 3-4 neutropenia and intravenous antibiotic use were significantly more common with the CAV regimen (P < 0.005). Conversely, Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia was more common (P < 0.0009) and platelet transfusion was more frequent (P < 0.05) with carboplatin therapy. Nonhematologic toxicity was similar in both treatment arms, except for alopecia with CAV therapy (P < 0.0007). Symptom relief occurred in 48% and 41% of patients in the CAV and carboplatin treatment arms, respectively. Dyspnea was improved in 66% and 41% of patients and cough was improved in 21% and 7% of patients in the CAV and carboplatin treatment arms, respectively. CAV therapy produced a higher response rate than carboplatin (38% vs. 25%), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.15). The median overall survival for patients in the CAV and carboplatin treatment arms was 17 weeks and 15.9 weeks, respectively, with 1-year survival rates of 12% and 6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-agent carboplatin is a feasible treatment in patients with poor prognosis SCLC and produces response rates, relief of tumor-related symptoms, and survival similar to what is seen in patients who receive CAV chemotherapy. The lower risk of life-threatening sepsis and less need for hospitalization or intravenous antibiotic courses is advantageous in this susceptible patient population.
White
S C
SC
Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom.
Lorigan
P
P
Middleton
M R
MR
Anderson
H
H
Valle
J
J
Summers
Y
Y
Burt
P A
PA
Arance
A
A
Stout
R
R
Thatcher
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; 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; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin