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.
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain. jaimefeliu@hotmail.com
J
J
Feliu
G
G
Martín
J
J
Castro
A
A
Sundlov
A
A
Rodriguez-Jaráiz
E
E
Casado
M
M
Lomas
C
C
Madroñal
A
A
Galán
C
C
Belda
M
M
Gonzalez-Barón
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