Phase II trial of vindesine and VP16-213 in the palliation of poor-prognosis patients and elderly patients with small cell lung cancer.

Forty-three previously untreated patients, all of whom had poor-prognosis small cell lung cancer and/or were greater than 65 years old, received treatment with vindesine and VP16-213. Thirteen patients had limited disease and 30 extensive disease. Response rates (CR + PR) of 86% (CR 29%) and 66% (CR 17%) were seen in patients with limited and extensive disease, respectively. Time to relapse was short in those responding (4-4.5 months), and most responders required additional treatments. The overall toxicity was minimal and patient compliance was high. This combination is useful for the palliative treatment of small cell lung cancer when aggressive chemotherapy is inappropriate.