Many lung cancers are diagnosed in patients over 70 years of age, but
there are little published data on chemotherapy in elderly patients. W
e therefore activated a phase II study in order to assess the toleranc
e and activity of carboplatin (80 mg/m(2)) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m(2)
) administered weekly in patients aged greater than or equal to 70 wit
h advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Twenty-five patients (22 males,
3 females; performance status ECOG, 0-2; median age, 75 years, range
70-85) were included in the study and are assessable for response and
side effects. A total of 162 cycles of therapy have been delivered (me
dian/patient, 6 cycles). Seven partial remissions (28%; 95% confidence
interval 5-36%), 8 disease stabilizations, and 10 progressions have b
een observed. Median time to disease progression was 4 months, and med
ian survival was 5 months (range, 2-25+). Grade III/IV toxicity consis
ted mainly of leukopenia and neutropenia observed respectively in 5 an
d 7 patients. In conclusion, the schedule demonstrated activity and go
od tolerability in this subset of patients. Elderly patients with good
performance status and adequate organ function can be safely treated
with systemic chemotherapy.