Improved chemotherapy for small-cell undifferentiated lung cancer

Bleomycin sulfate, doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine sulfate combination chemotherapy was given to 29 patients with small-cell undifferentiated lung cancer. Only four of these patients had limited disease, and in these patients there was 100% complete remission; two of these four patients remain in complete remission at more than 52 and 60 weeks. Of the 25 patients with generalized disease, 18 (72%) had neoplasm regression (greater than 50%), including two with complete remission (8%). The median duration of remission was 25 weeks. The median survival time from diagnosis was 39 weeks and that from initiation of therapy, 35 weeks. The drug regimen was well tolerated, and although substantial leukopenia was produced, there were only three patients in whom granulocytopenic infections developed. There was only one drug-related death.