title: A phase II study of metronomic oral vinorelbine administered in the second line and beyond in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a phase II study of the Hellenic Oncology Research Group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Frequent administration of low doses of cytotoxic drugs (metronomic chemotherapy) has been suggested to suppress tumour growth possibly by inhibiting angiogenesis. We evaluated a metronomic regimen of oral vinorelbine in pre-treated patients with advanced non-small  cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six pre-treated NSCLC patients received oral vinorelbine at a fixed dose of 50 mg three times a week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment was administered as second-line in 12 (26·1%) patients and as third- or further-line in 34 (73·9%).  Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 23·9% and febrile neutropenia in 10·9%. Grade 3 fatigue was the most common severe non-hematologic toxicity (10·9%). Response rate was 10·9%; 19·6% achieved disease stabilization. Median tumour progression (TTP)  was 2·2 months, median overall survival 9·4 months and the 1-year survival rate was 30·1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of metronomic oral vinorelbine is feasible and results in acceptable clinical efficacy associated with manageable toxicity in a population  consisting mostly of heavily pre-treated NSCLC patients.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Emmanouil
authors: E
authors: Kontopodis
authors: Dora
authors: D
authors: Hatzidaki
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Varthalitis
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Kentepozidis
authors: Stylianos
authors: S
authors: Giassas
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Pantazopoulos
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Vardakis
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Rovithi
authors: Vassilis
authors: V
authors: Georgoulias
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Agelaki
mesh_terms: D059250:Administration, Metronomic; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine