title: Long-term results of a pilot study on an intensive induction regimen for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 1995, we designed and carried out a pilot study on the combination of cisplatin + high dose epirubicin + vinorelbine with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor support for the induction treatment of unresectable stage IIIAN2 and wet IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer. The present report concerns the long-term results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible patients received cisplatin, 75 mg/m(2), and epirubicin, 120 mg/m(2), on day 1, vinorelbine, 25 mg/m(2), on days 1 and 15, and granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, 300 microg s.c., from days 3 to 12. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks for 3 times. Subsequently, all the patients were re-evaluated for surgical resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patients were enrolled: 21 males and 5 females; median age, 55 years (range, 31-64); median performance status, 90% (range, 80-100); 16 stage IIIA and 10 IIIB. After the 3 cycles, objective response was as follows: 2 complete (8%), 18 partial (69%), 5 no change (19%) and 1 progressive disease (4%). Ten patients were not operated (9 unresectable and 1 refusal) and received radiotherapy. Sixteen patients (61%) underwent surgery and 14 were completely resected (54%). After a median follow-up of 84 months (range, 12-120), the median overall progression-free survival was 17 months (range, 2-104+): 47 months for resected and 8 months for nonresected patients. The median overall survival was 40 months (range, 4-123+): 87 months for resected and 13 months for nonresected patients. One-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 73%, 42% and 37%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These intensive cytotoxic regimen enabled us to obtain favorable long-term results in a selected series of inoperable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Melotti
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guaraldi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sperandi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zamagni
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giaquinta
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oliverio
authors.forename: Andrea Angelo
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine