A phase II study of oral vinorelbine in combination with cisplatin conducted in Taiwan in patients with unresectable localized or metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Intravenous vinorelbine plus cisplatin is widely prescribed for the treatment of NSCLC. The objective of this phase II study was to define the efficacy of an oral form of vinorelbine combined with cisplatin for first line treatment of advanced/metastatic NSCLC.


METHODS
From September 2002 to December 2003, 46 chemotherapy-naive patients received 80 mg/m(2) of cisplatin on day 1 and oral vinorelbine at 60 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks.


RESULTS
After an independent panel review, the response rate was 37.5 % [95% confidence interval (CI): 22.7-54.2%] in the evaluable population and 32.6% [95% CI: 19.5-48] in the intent-to-treat population. Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months and overall survival was 11.2 months. Grades 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 58.7% of patients, with febrile neutropenia and neutropenic infection in 4.3 and 8.7% of patients, respectively. The main non-haematological toxicities were hypotension, fatigue (8.7% for each) and gastrointestinal disorders with rare grades 3 and 4.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the combination of cisplatin at 80 mg/m(2) on day 1 with oral vinorelbine at 60 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks, is an active regimen, associated with acceptable toxicity. Oral vinorelbine is therefore a good alternative to the i.v. formulation.
Chen
Yuh-Min
YM
Chest Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan. ymchen@vghtpe.gov.tw <ymchen@vghtpe.gov.tw>
Yu
Chong-Jen
CJ
Yang
Chih-Hsin
CH
Perng
Reury-Perng
RP
Tsai
Chun-Ming
CM
Shih
Jen-Fu
JF
Cheng
Ann-Lii
AL
Lefresne
F
F
Barbier
M
M
Pouget
J-C
JC
Yang
Pan-Chyr
PC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine