Cisplatin bolus and 5-FU infusion chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer were treated with combination chemotherapy: cisplatin (100 mg/m2) on Day 1 and 5-FU (1 g/m2 continuous infusion) on Days 1-5, initially every third week, then every 4-6 weeks. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients without prior therapy and Group 2 consisted of 15 patients with prior therapy. Using standard criteria, seven patients (37%) in Group 1 achieved partial remissions lasting 2 to greater than 31 months (median, 10). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma or good performance status were somewhat more likely to respond. Three patients (20%) in Group 2 achieved partial remissions lasting 5-7 months. Mucositis (grade II in six patients, grade III-IV in seven patients) was the dose-limiting toxicity, especially in Group 2. These responses to cisplatin bolus and 5-FU infusion in patients with non-small cell lung cancer were not greater than those achieved with other cisplatin-containing regimens. However, this combination does have activity and might be effectively combined with radiation therapy as has been done for carcinomas of other sites.