INTRODUCTION

To determine the dose-limiting toxicity and recommended dose (RD) of cisplatin (CDDP) combined with S-1 (tegafur, 5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxypyridine, and potassium oxonate) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of this regimen at RD.

METHODS

Patients with stages III and IV non-small cell lung cancer received 3-week cycles of treatment, each consisting of oral administration of S-1 at 80 mg/m in 2 divided doses per day for 14 consecutive days, intravenous administration of CDDP (60 mg/m, 70 mg/m, or 80 mg/m) on the first day, and no medication during the subsequent 7 days. The primary objective of phase I study was to estimate the maximum tolerable dose and the RD, and the primary end point of phase II study was response.

RESULTS

RD of CDDP in the analysis of 18 eligible patients was 60 mg/m. Evaluation of efficacy and toxicity at RD in 55 eligible patients showed that partial response was observed in 18 patients (32.7%, 95% confidence interval: 20.7-46.7%). The median survival time was 18.1 months, and the time to disease progression was 3.8 months. Grade 3 or severer adverse events were observed in 27 patients (49.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

CDDP combined with S-1 showed a satisfactory overall survival time and acceptable toxicity profile. However, the response as the primary end point did not reach the predetermined threshold level.