Chemotherapy of non-small-cell lung cancer

Cisplatin (Platinol)-containing regimens, especially in combination with etoposide (VP-16) (VePesid), vindesine, and/or mitomycin-C, have proven beneficial to patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. A reproducible response rate of 30% to 40% has been achieved. Because current therapies are greatly in need of improvement, patients with non-small-cell lung cancer--especially those who have a good performance status and thus are more likely to respond--should be considered for participation in clinical studies in which the control regimens are associated with moderate response rates. Although chemotherapy affords some benefit to nonresponding patients, they might participate in phase I or phase II trials rather than continue treatment more likely to be toxic than beneficial.