Abstract
Twenty-three patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung (15 with limited disease and eight with extensive disease) were randomized into one of two induction schedules of high-dose cyclophosphamide (CY), 60 mg/kg iv, given either on Days 1 and 2 or on Days 1 and 8. Following the high-dose CY, patients were treated with a sequence of three monthly courses of COMB (CY, 800 mg/m2; vincristine [Oncovin], 1.4 mg/m2; methotrexate, 20 mg/m2; and BCNU, 60 mg/m2) alternating with high-dose CY. The overall response rate to the high-dose CY was 70% with 17% being complete responses (CRs). COMB produced no additional responses. There was no significant difference in response rate with either high-dose CY schedule. There was no unexpected morbidity associated with the intensive regimen despite marked myelosuppression. The high-dose CY administered on Days 1 and 8 appeared less toxic than that given on Days 1 and 2. Laboratory studies demonstrated that small cell carcinoma cells respond to drug-induced humoral stimulation in vitro, and that tumor proliferation in vivo temporally coincides with increased serum stimulatory activity. This study demonstrates that high-dose CY is a safe and effective induction therapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung although the low CR rate obtained is disappointing.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 413-424 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Unknown Journal |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - 1978 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research