Phase II study of vincristine infusion in refractory small cell carcinoma of the lung

Fifteen patients with extensive refractory small cell carcinoma of the lung received prolonged intravenous infusion of vincristine. All but one patient had previously been given vincristine by conventional bolus injection. Treatment consisted of a 0.5-mg bolus injection followed immediately by 0.25 mg/m2/day infusion which was continued for 5 days. Toxicity in general was minimal, but rapidly progressive disease precluded adequate assessment in the majority of patients. No objective responses were observed. Infusion of vincristine does not appear to be an efficacious salvage treatment for this disease.