Paclitaxel and vinorelbine combination in advanced inoperable adenocarcinoma of the lung: a phase II study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of paclitaxel (PCT) combined with vinorelbine (VRL) in adenocarcinoma of the lung.


METHODS
Untreated inoperable patients with metastatic disease were enrolled and underwent front-line treatment with a new combination as follows: a 30-minute infusion of VRL at a dose of 25 mg/m2 followed by a 3-hour infusion of PCT 135 mg/m2. Chemotherapy was repeated every 2 weeks with the intention of administering 9 cycles.


RESULTS
Fifty-four out of 58 enrolled patients were assessable; the median age was 63 years (range 48-81). All patients were chemotherapy-naïve and all had histologically- or cytologically- confirmed adenocarcinoma. Twenty-seven patients (50%) responded: 5 with complete response (9.3%) and 22 with partial response (40.7%); 17 patients had stable disease (31.5%) and 10 showed disease progression (18.5%). Median response duration was 6 months (range 2-14.5) and median survival was 10 months (range 2-35+). The main adverse reaction was myelotoxicity in 87% of the patients, of whom only 8 (14.8%) had grade 4 neutropenia which in 4 cases (7.4%) was febrile. No patient required dose reduction, but treatment was postponed by one week in 4 patients a total of nine times. Patients received 98.6% of the planned dose.


CONCLUSIONS
The PCT and VRL combination is an active first-line treatment for lung adenocarcinoma. These two cytotoxic drugs produce acceptable toxicity when repeated every 2 weeks.
Stathopoulos
George P
GP
First Department of Medical Oncology, Errikos Dynan Hospital, Athens, Greece. dr-gps@ath.forthnet.gr
Veslemes
Marinos
M
Georgatou
Niki
N
Antoniou
Demosthenis
D
Tsavdaridis
Dimitris
D
Katis
Kostas
K
Giaboudakis
Pantelis
P
Rigatos
Sotiris K
SK
Marosis
Kostas
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D014747:Vinblastine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000077235:Vinorelbine