R. Gralla et al., Vinorelbine (Navelbine (R)) in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer: Recent developments in combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy, ANN ONCOL, 10, 1999, pp. 47-51
The investigation of the activity of vinorelbine in non-small-cell lung can
cer (NSCLC) has continued beyond the initial studies which established its
single agent activity and defined the combination of vinorelbine and cispla
tin as one of the standard treatments for inoperable NSCLC. Alternative par
tners to cisplatin have been evaluated in combination therapy with vinorelb
ine with promising results emerging from combinations with carboplatin, ifo
sfamide, mitomycin C and gemcitabine. Three drug combinations such as vinor
elbine, cisplatin and ifosfamide can clearly produce high response rates in
patients with good performance status at the time of treatment.
The ability of vinorelbine to contribute to disease reduction either alone
or in combination with other cytotoxic drugs has made it possible to consid
er its use in neo-adjuvant therapy, while the synergistic action of vinorel
bine with radiotherapy has encouraged the use of sequential or concomitant
chemoradiotherapy producing high response rates after completion of both mo
dalities. The possible role of post-operative adjuvant treatment with Vinor
elbine either alone or in combination with cisplatin is being assessed in a
prospective trial.