IS THE MVP REGIMEN LESS ACTIVE THAN PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED - RESULTS OFA PHASE-II STUDY IN ADVANCED NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER

Combination chemotherapy with anti-proliferative agents is often used in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in good p erformance status, The mitomycin C, vinblastine and cisplatin (MVP) re gimen has been the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) standard for several years because of high response rates in spite of significa nt toxicity, In a phase II study, we observed 55 consecutive patients treated with MVP chemotherapy using the same dosage, schedule, and pre cautions as used by the ECOG group, The dose intensity reached for eac h drug was 85% of the projected dose, Fifty-one patients were assessab le for response and toxicity, while all subjects were evaluable for su rvival, There was no complete remissions, 8 partial (15%), 34 stable ( 66%) and 9 progressive (17%) in patients, The median survival rate was 34 weeks (95% confidence interval 28-37 weeks), There were no treatme nt-related deaths and no grade 4 toxicity, Alopecia and emesis were th e most significant adverse effects, Haematological toxicity was minima l. Other side-effects, such as neuropathy and nephrotoxicity, were als o rare, Hence, response rates and toxic complications were lower than previously reported. We conclude that the MVP regimen has to be re-eva luated.