[3 multicenter phase II studies of the treatment of small cell bronchogenic carcinoma (incl. AIO studies BI + BII)]

Between March 1979 und January 1983 122 patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with different polychemotherapy regimen. 33 patients received VP-16-213 (etoposid), ifosfamide and vindesine (VPIV). 37 patients were treated with adriamycin, cisplatin and vincristine (APO). A third 3-drug combination, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and CCNU (CMCC), was given to the remaining 52 patients alternating with the two other regimen. Response rates varied between 61% for the APO regimen and 85% for the VPIV regimen. The median survival was 10 months for patients treated with VPIV or APO and 12 months for patients treated with alternating drug combinations. This difference was not statistically significant. The rate of long-term survivors (longer than 2 years after diagnosis) was 9.9%. Side effects were seen more frequently in the group treated with APO.