title: Phase II study of weekly paclitaxel for relapsed and refractory small cell lung cancer.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of single-agent paclitaxel given weekly to patients with relapsed and refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients were treated with 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel administered weekly for 1 h for 6 weeks in an 8-week cycle. Twenty-two patients were enrolled, 21 of whom were eligible. The patient characteristics included: 20 males, 1 female; median age 66 years (range 48-75); performance status 0/1 in 19 and 2 in 5 patients. Grade 3/4 leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in 47.5% and 64%, respectively. Other grade 3/4 toxicities included infection, skin rash, neuropathy and pulmonary toxicity. There were 5 partial responses in 3 out of the 11 sensitive cases and 2 out of the 10 refractory cases, respectively. Paclitaxel, administered as a weekly infusion at a dose of 80 mg/m2, was effective in treating relapsed and refractory SCLC.
authors.affiliation: Kinki University School of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Japan. n.yamamoto@scchr.jp
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsurutani
authors.forename: Naruo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Gyo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Asai
authors.forename: Azusa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moriyama
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Shinzo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kudoh
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takada
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minato
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukuoka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; 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
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel