A prospective randomized trial of combination vindesine and cisplatin versus single-agent vindesine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Antineoplastic agents, used alone or in combination, are capable of achieving objective remissions in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. Response rates have been modest, however, and responses are generally not durable. Furthermore, the toxicity of some regimens has been substantial, creating a narrow therapeutic ratio and a questionable impact on survival. The addition of cisplatin (DDP) to cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) resulted in major response rates that were superior to those obtained with cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin used alone or in combination. Vindesine (DVA) was evaluated in several phase II trials that demonstrated reproducible limited antitumor activity in nonsmall cell lung cancer. Gralla et al combined DVA with DDP in regimens of varying DDP dosage and noted a response rate of about 43%.