Docetaxel and mitomycin as second-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of the combination of docetaxel and mitomycin C as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients with histologically confirmed, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were included in this phase II trial. All patients had been previously treated with a platinum-based regimen. Treatment consisted of docetaxel (75 mg/m2) followed by mitomycin C (8 mg/m2) on day 1, every 21 days. Patients received a minimum of three courses unless progressive disease was detected.


RESULTS
A total of 190 courses of docetaxel-mitomycin C were administered (median five courses per patient). This combination was well tolerated with grade 3-4 toxicity experienced with the following frequency: neutropenia in five patients (13%), fatigue in four (11%), anaemia, thrombocytopenia, nausea/vomiting and peripheral neuropathy in one each (3%). Three of 38 patients had a partial response (8%, 95% confidence interval 2.6-21.6%), 14 patients (37%) experienced stabilization of disease and 21 (55%) had disease progression. Median time to progression was 3.6 months. Overall median survival was 10.4 months, with the 1-year actuarial survival rate being 35%.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of mitomycin C to docetaxel as second-line therapy in NSCLC is well tolerated but does not seem to improve the response rate.
Feliu
J
J
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain. jaimefeliu@hotmail.com
Martín
G
G
Castro
J
J
Sundlov
A
A
Rodriguez-Jaráiz
A
A
Casado
E
E
Lomas
M
M
Madroñal
C
C
Galán
A
A
Belda
C
C
Gonzalez-Barón
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016685:Mitomycin