Phase II study of carboplatin and 1-h intravenous etoposide and paclitaxel in a novel sequence as first-line treatment of patients with small-cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of paclitaxel, carboplatin and etoposide when administered in combination to previously-untreated small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients.


METHODS
Patients (n=95) with limited-stage disease (LSD; n=45) or extensive-stage disease (ESD; n=50) from 14 Spanish hospitals were entered into the study. Etoposide was administered 80 mg/m(2)/day intravenous (i.v.) on days 1, 2 and 3, paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 3 and carboplatin area-under-the-concentration-time-curve=6; i.v. on day 3, of a 3-week cycle, and repeated for up to 6 cycles.


RESULTS
The overall response (OR) rate was 74% (n=70; 32 complete, 38 partial). Although the OR in LSD and ESD patients was similar (73 vs 74%, respectively), the percentage complete response was significantly higher among the former (49 vs 20%). The main toxicities were grade 3-4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia (62 and 18%, respectively) and there were 3 toxic deaths. Other toxicities were rare or easily manageable. Disease-free survival and overall survival rates at 1 year were 53 and 70% in LSD and 18 and 39% in ESD patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the combination of paclitaxel, etoposide and carboplatin has an anti-tumour activity in SCLC that is comparable to other combination regimens, and is well tolerated.
Vieitez
J M
JM
Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Central de Asturias, C/Julian Claveria, s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. lacave@arrakis.es
Valladares
M
M
Gracia
M
M
Gonzalez-Barón
M
M
Martín
G
G
Mel
J R
JR
Rodríguez
R
R
Constenla
M
M
Gómez Aldavarí
J L
JL
Domínguez
S
S
Dorta
J
J
García-Girón
C
C
López
R
R
Sevilla
I
I
Esteban
E
E
Antón
L M
LM
Peláez
I
I
López
E
E
Lacave
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel