Pilot study with weekly chemotherapy for patients with extensive small cell lung cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study (PA586).

PURPOSE

Six of the most active chemotherapy agents in small cell lung cancer were administered sequentially in a weekly fashion in an attempt to optimize the dose and the number of agents received over a 12-week period. The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficacy and to characterize the toxicity of this approach.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer received weekly treatments with cisplatin and etoposide (weeks 1, 5, and 11), cyclophosphamide (weeks 2, 7, and 10), vincristine (weeks 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 12), methotrexate (weeks 3, 6, and 9), and doxorubicin (weeks 4, 8, and 12). Patients achieving a partial response received a second 12-week course. Patients achieving a complete response received prophylactic cranial radiation.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine of the 36 patients completed the initial 12-week program over a median of 16 weeks. Hematologic toxicity was most prominent, with two deaths from sepsis and 31 patients having grade 3 or 4 neutropenia The overall response rate was 85%, with 33% of patients achieving a complete response. The median survival was 10.5 months, and the median time to progression was 8.2 months.

DISCUSSION

This 12-week program, consisting of administration of six active agents for small cell lung cancer, caused significant myelosuppression that resulted in significant treatment delays and dose reductions. Although a high response rate was achieved, the median overall survival of 10.5 months was not significantly longer than expected from other standard two- to three-drug regimens.