Phase II study of cisplatin combined to irinotecan administered alternatingly with docetaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the activity and toxicity of cisplatin and irinotecan alternating with docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Eligibility included chemo-naïve stage IIIB with malignant effusion and stage IV NSCLC patients with measurable disease and a good performance status. Twenty-four patients were enrolled into the present study. There were 19 males and 5 females with a median age of 58.5 years and the median performance status was 1. Ninety-six percent had stage IV disease. These patients received cisplatin at 80 mg/ m2 and irinotecan at 200 mg/m2 on day 1, followed by docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 on day 22, in 6-week cycle for a maximum of 3 cycles.


RESULTS
Eight out of twenty-two evaluable patients obtained a partial response (36%). The median time to tumor progression was 6 months. The median survival time and 1-year survival rate were 10.4 months and 45% respectively. The most frequent severe toxicities were neutropenia, anemia, and diarrhea. Febrile neutropenia occurred in four patients (16%), and was the cause of treatment-related deaths in two (8%). Other nonhematologic toxicities were mild including nausea, vomiting, and skin rash.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternating cisplatin and irinotecan with docetaxel, as used in the present study was feasible and demonstrated encouraging efficacy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer However, this approach appears to be more toxic, especially in myelosuppression, than in previous reports of the sequential use of the similar agents.
Charoentum
Chaiyut
C
Department of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. ccharoen@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Thongprasert
Sumitra
S
Chewasakulyong
Busayamas
B
Euathrongchit
Juntima
J
Sorraritchingchai
Sirikul
S
Munprakan
Sutthirak
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002945:Cisplatin; D002166:Camptothecin