title: Irinotecan and carboplatin in metastatic or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: The outcome of patients with metastatic lung cancer is poor, with a 1-year survival rate of approximately 35%. We are evaluating the combination of irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) and carboplatin (Paraplatin) in patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small-cell lung cancer. Eligible patients include those with histologic or cytologic diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer; no previous chemotherapy for metastatic lung cancer; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1. The first five patients received irinotecan at 250 mg/m2 over 90 minutes followed by carboplatin at an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 5 over 1 hour. Subsequently, the dose of irinotecan was reduced to 200 mg/m2 in view of febrile neutropenia in one of five patients. Chemotherapy cycles are repeated every 21 days. Patients are reevaluated every two cycles. Of a planned 37 patients, 14 have been enrolled and 9 are evaluable for toxicity and response at the time of this report. Thirty-two cycles have been administered, with seven 1-week delays and two dose reductions. To date there have been two partial responses and five patients with stable disease; two patients developed progressive disease on therapy. One patient had neutropenic fever; other toxicities included mild pancreatitis (n = 1) and diverticulitis (n = 1). The regimen of irinotecan and carboplatin administered once every 3 weeks demonstrates early evidence of activity, and is tolerable and convenient. The main toxicity is hematologic. This study is ongoing and actively accruing patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. rgovinda@im.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Ramaswamy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Govindan
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faust
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mc Leod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000077146:Irinotecan; D016190:Carboplatin; D002166:Camptothecin