[Efficacy of adriamycin, etoposide plus ifosfamide on small cell lung cancer--a retrospective analysis of 69 cases treated in Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Bordeaux].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Combined chemotherapy is the major therapeutic principle for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Adriamycin, etoposide plus ifosfamide (AVI) regimen has been used to treat SCLC for more than 10 years in Service of Respiratory Diseases, CHU de Bordeaux. This study was to analyze retrospectively the efficacy of AVI regimen on SCLC, and observe the adverse events.

METHODS

We collected medical documents of 69 SCLC patients, treated wih AVI regimen in Service of Respiratory Diseases, CHU de Bordeaux, Hopital du Haut Leveque from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 2003. Response rate, adverse events, and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 69 patients, 23 had limited disease (LD), 46 had extended disease (ED). The total objective response rate (OR) was 60.9% for all patients; it was significantly higher in LD patients than in ED patients (78.3% vs. 52.2%, P=0.04). The median progression-free survival time was 11.2 months for LD patients and 6.7 months for ED patients. The median survival time was 11.3 months for LD patients and 7.2 months for ED patients. The 1-year survival rate was 47.8% for LD patients and 30.4% for ED patients. Major adverse events included grade 3-4 neutropenia (34.8%), anemia (15.9%), nausea and vomit (18.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

AVI regimen is effective for SCLC. The major adverse events are neutropenia, anemia, nausea and vomit. In practice, AVI regimen could be a chemotherapeutic choice for SCLC.