A phase II study of biweekly irinotecan and cisplatin for patients with extensive stage disease small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
An irinotecan and cisplatin (IP) combination is one of active regimen used in treatment of extensive stage disease (ED) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, a 4-week cycle of irinotecan treatment can result in significant myelosuppression and diarrhea. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biweekly IP in patients with ED SCLC.


METHODS
Patients with previously untreated ED SCLC received intravenous irinotecan at a dose of 60mg/m(2) and cisplatin at a dose of 30mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15 every 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Thirty-five patients were enrolled in this study. Three complete responses and 23 partial responses were confirmed, giving an overall response rate of 74.3%. After a median follow-up of 15.1 months, the median time to progression and overall survival were 7.7 months and 12.2 months, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in seven patients and grade 3 febrile neutropenia was observed in one patient. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination chemotherapy of biweekly IP was found to be well tolerated and effective in patients with ED SCLC. Further evaluation of the combination of IP at the dose and schedule in this study is warranted in ED SCLC patients.
Bae
Sung Hwa
SH
Department of Oncology/Hematology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Ryoo
Hun Mo
HM
Do
Young Rok
YR
Song
Hong Suk
HS
Kwon
Ki Young
KY
Kim
Min Kyoung
MK
Lee
Kyung Hee
KH
Hyun
Myung Soo
MS
Lee
Won Sik
WS
Hur
In Kyong
IK
Baek
Jin Ho
JH
Park
Keon Uk
KU
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D000077146:Irinotecan; D002945:Cisplatin; D002166:Camptothecin