PHASE-II TRIAL OF ORAL ETOPOSIDE PLUS CISPLATIN IN EXTENSIVE-STAGE SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG - AN EASTERN-COOPERATIVE-ONCOLOGY-GROUPSTUDY

Based upon the schedule specificity of etoposide and the in vitro and clinical synergy observed with cisplatin, the Eastern Cooperative Onco logy Group conducted a phase II trial of oral etoposide and cisplatin in newly diagnosed, untreated patients with extensive stage small cell carcinoma of the lung. 35 patients received 100 mg/m(2) of cisplatin intravenously on day 1 and 50 mg/m(2) of etoposide orally for 21 conse cutive days. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. The most common toxic ity observed was myelosuppression. Sixty-seven per cent of patients ha d grade 3 or 4 leukopenia and 34% had grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia du ring cycle one. Of 26 evaluable patients, 4 had a complete response (1 5%) and 17 had a partial response (65%). The median survival for the g roup as a whole was 8.5 months. We conclude that this regimen was asso ciated with significant myelosuppression, and offered no therapeutic a dvantage to other commonly administered chemotherapeutic regimens for small cell carcinoma of the lung.