Ambulatory combination chemotherapy with oral etoposide and cisplatin for advanced non small cell lung carcinoma...

Thirty nine male patients with locally advanced and/or extensive non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with oral etoposide (240 mg/m2 days 1 to 3) and cisplatin (100 mg/m2 day 4) according to a fully ambulatory schedule. Eight out of 33 (24%) evaluable patients achieved a partial response (PR) and 6 a minor response (MR). Stable disease (SD) was observed in 7 (25%) and progressive disease (P.D.) in 12 (26%). Median survival time (MST) of all patients was 8 months. No difference in MST was observed between limited (LD) and extensive disease (ED) patients. Only overall responding patients (PR + MR + SD) in the E.D. subgroup lived significantly longer than PD patients. Patients with LD did not obtain a significant survival benefit whether or not a response was achieved. The overall toxic cost of the regimen was low and patient tolerance remarkably good. This combination chemotherapy can safely be recommended for ambulatory use and does not seem to compromise heavily the patients' quality of life.