Topotecan versus observation after cisplatin plus etoposide in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: E7593 - A phase III trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Jh. Schiller et al., Topotecan versus observation after cisplatin plus etoposide in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: E7593 - A phase III trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, J CL ONCOL, 19(8), 2001, pp. 2114-2122
Purpose: To determine the efficacy of topotecan in combination with standar
d chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with extensive-stage small-
cell lung cancer (SCLC), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) cond
ucted a phase III trial.
Patients and Methods: Eligible patients had measurable or assessable diseas
e and an ECOG performance status of 0 to 2; stable brain metastases were al
lowed. All patients received four cycles of cisplatin and etoposide every 3
weeks (step 1; PE). Patients with stable or responding disease were then r
andomized to observation or four cycles of topatecan (1.5 mg/m(2)/d for 5 d
ays, every 3 weeks; step 2). A total of 402 eligible patients were register
ed to step 1, and 223 eligible patients were registered to step 2 (observat
ion, n = 111; topatecan, n = 112).
Results: Complete and partial response rates to induction PE were 3% and 32
%, respectively. A 7% response rate was observed with topotecan (complete r
esponse, 2%; partial response, 5%). The median survival time for all 402 el
igible patients was 9.6 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) from date o
f randomization on step 2 was significantly better with topotecan compared
with observation (3.6 months v 2.3 months; P < .001). However, overall surv
ival from date of randomization on step 2 was not significantly different b
etween the observation and topotecan arms (8.9 months v 9.3 months; P = .43
), Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytapenia occurred in 50% and 3%, respect
ively, of PE patients in step 1 and 60% and 13% of topotecan patients in st
ep 2, Grade 4/5 infection was observed in 4.6% of PE patients and 1.8% of t
opotecan patients, Grade 3/4 anemia developed in 22% of patients who receiv
ed topotecan. No difference in quality of life between topatecan and observ
ation was observed at any assessment time or for any of the subscale scores
.
Conclusion: Four cycles of PE induction therapy followed by four cycles of
topatecan improved PFS but failed to improve overall survival or quality of
life in extensive-stage SCLC, Four cycles of standard PE remains an approp
riate first-line treatment for extensive-stage SCLC patients with good perf
ormance status. <(c)> 2001 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.