Phase II study of topotecan and paclitaxel for patients with previously untreated extensive stage small-cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
This phase II study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of paclitaxel and topotecan for patients with extensive stage small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC).


METHODS
Previously untreated ED-SCLC patients with Eastern Coperative Oncology Group performance status <2 were eligible. Treatment consisted of topotecan 1 mg/m2 (first three patients received 1.25 mg/m2), on days 1-5, and paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 over 24 h on day 5, every 4 weeks. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was administered to all patients.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients received a median of four cycles of chemotherapy. Grade 4 anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 13, 31 and 18 patients, respectively. Thirty episodes of febrile neutropenia occurred in 22 patients. Grade 3 fatigue, esophagitis, stomatitis and hypotension occurred in one patient each. Of 26 patients eligible for response evaluation, there were six complete and 12 partial responses (overall response rate 69%). The median survival was 54 weeks. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 50%, 10% and 3%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of topotecan and paclitaxel is active as initial therapy in SCLC, but the efficacy is similar to 'standard therapy'. This combination was associated with a high incidence of myelosuppression and febrile neutropenia, at the doses evaluated.
Ramalingam
S
S
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
Belani
C P
CP
Day
R
R
Zamboni
B A
BA
Jacobs
S A
SA
Jett
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D019772:Topotecan; D017239:Paclitaxel