Cisplatin and vinorelbine remains a valid option for the front-line chemotherapy treatment of NSCLC.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to confirm the activity of the cisplatin/vinorelbine (C/V) combination in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).


METHODS
Treatment consisted of vinorelbine, i.v. slow infusion of 30 mg/m2 every week, and cisplatin, 120 mg/m2 on days 1 and 29 and then every 6 weeks. Treatment was continued until completion of the 22-week treatment plan, disease progression, persistent toxicity, or patient refusal.


RESULTS
Seventy-five patients entered the study. The median age was 62 years; major cell types were adeno- (38), squamous (26) and large cell carcinomas (7). Nineteen patients received a suboptimal treatment with less than 6 courses of vinorelbine. The median courses of C/V were 3 (range 0-4) and 15 (range 0-22), respectively. For both drugs, the median dose-intensity was 75% of projected. Toxicity was generally acceptable, mainly hematological and never life-threatening. Thirty-five patients responded, with 8 complete responses, for an overall response rate of 46.7%. The estimated median time to progression was 28 weeks (quartile range: 13-46); the median survival 60 weeks (quartile rage: 17-108).


CONCLUSIONS
The C/V combination is fairly well tolerated, decidedly active and associated with prolonged survivals.
Buccheri
Gianfranco
G
The Cuneo Lung Cancer Study Group (www.culcasg.org), "S. Croce e Carle" Hospital, Cuneo I-12100, Italy. buccheri@culcasg.org
Ferrigno
Domenico
D
Giordano
Cristina
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine