title: Optimization of small-cell lung cancer chemotherapy with heparin: a comprehensive retrospective study of 239 patients treated in a single specialized center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In first-line management for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the combination of a platinum salt and etoposide is recommended, with thoracic radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation in selected patients. Anticoagulants, including heparin, are rarely used. We analyzed the results of these different treatments in a comprehensive population of patients with SCLC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed clinical and therapeutic characteristics of SCLC patients managed in our center during the period 1990-2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  First-, second- and third-line chemotherapy was received by 98.3, 47.3 and 11.7%, respectively; 55% received curative heparin. The 2-year survival rates were 31 and 7% among patients with localized and metastatic disease, 33 and 15% among patients treated with the PCDE (cisplatin-cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-etoposide) regimen with and without heparin, and 27 and 12% among patients treated with the PE (cisplatin or carboplatin-etoposide) regimen with and without heparin, respectively. The 2-year survival rate among the 27 patients who received an optimal combination of PCDE, heparin, thoracic radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation was 44.2%. In multivariate analysis, localized disease, younger age, use of heparin and inclusion in a clinical trial were independently associated with a better outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the bias inherent in a retrospective, single-center study, these results support chemotherapy optimization for SCLC patients and confirm the value of heparin in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lebeau
authors.forename: Mariette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baud
authors.forename: Marie-José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Masanes
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Febvre
authors.forename: Tarik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mokhtari
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chouaïd
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D006493:Heparin; D002945:Cisplatin