MITOMYCIN-C ETOPOSIDE AND VINORELBINE (MEV-II) IN THE TREATMENT OF METASTATIC STAGE-IV NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER

Aims and Background: In a prior study with a new non-cisplatin-based r egimen including mytomycin C, etoposide and vindesine (MEV 1) we obser ved a 37% response rate and very low toxicity in stage IV non small ce ll lung cancer. In an attempt to improve the activity of MEV I we eval uated a new regimen, MEV II, a modification of MEV I in which vinorelb ine replaced vindesine. Methods: 21 Patients with metastatic stage IV non small cell lung cancer entered the phase 11 trial and were treated with the MEV II regimen (mitomycin C 8 mg/m2, i.v., d 1, etoposide 10 0 mg/m2, i.v., d 1-3, vinorelbine 30 mg/m2, i.v., d 1, every 4 weeks. Results: We observed a partial response rate of 30% (95% confidence li mits 10-50) with a median survival of 6 months. The worst reported tox icity was leukopenia grade 4 in 10% of patients including one who died of sepsis and grade 3 in 20%. Conclusions: The MEV II regimen showed a similar activity but greater toxicity than MEV I.