Treatment of extensive small cell lung cancer with carboplatin and teniposide

The combination of carboplatin and teniposide has been evaluated in a phase II trial including 47 previously untreated patients with extensive small cell lung cancer. Treatment was given at monthly intervals at a dose of 200 mg/m2 of carboplatin intravenously on day 1 and teniposide at a daily dose of 60 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1-5. Treatment response was complete in 4 (8.9%) and partial in 19 (42.2%) of 45 evaluable patients. The overall response rate was 51.1% (95% confidence interval 36%-66%). The median duration of response was 7.1 months (range 2.1-14.8) and the median survival was 6.7 months (0.3-22.2). Myelosuppression was the most prominent side-effect. Leukopenia (WHO grade 3-4) developed in 17 (37.8%) and thrombocytopenia (grade 3-4) in 5 (11.1%) of 45 patients evaluable for toxicity. 2 treatment-related deaths were registered. The present study shows that the combination of carboplatin and teniposide produces an acceptable response rate, but response duration and survival time are short.