Effect of peplomycin plus carbazilquinone and mitomycin on non-small cell carcinoma of the lung.

The effects of two chemotherapeutic regimens, peplomycin (PLM) plus carbazilquinone and PLM plus mitomycin, on non-small cell carcinoma of the lung were evaluated by a randomized controlled trial. Seven partial responses were observed in 53 evaluable patients, for an overall response rate of 13.2%. There was no difference in response rate or in median survival time between PLM plus carbazilquinone (11.5% and 32 weeks) and PLM plus mitomycin (14.8% and 25 weeks). Seven patients developed interstitial pneumonitis, and four died of pulmonary fibrosis. It was concluded that the chemotherapeutic regimens that include PLM are only marginally effective against non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, with relatively frequent pulmonary fibrosis.