Phase II study of carboplatin in previously untreated patients with metastatic small cell lung carcinoma

Fourteen previously untreated patients with metastatic small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) were treated with carboplatin, 400 mg/m2, given as a 1-hour infusion every 28 days. Eleven patients had a partial response to therapy [response rate, 79% (95% confidence limits, 57%-100%)]. The median duration of response was 8 weeks (range, 4-41) and the median survival was 29 weeks (range, 11-68+). Hematologic toxicity was limited to one patient who developed World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV thrombocytopenia; no patient developed infection due to granulocytopenia. Nonhematologic toxicity was limited to WHO grade I and II nausea and vomiting. This study demonstrates that carboplatin is a highly active drug in SCLC with minimal toxicity. Future studies should evaluate its use in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs in SCLC.