Epipodophyllotoxin (VP16-213) in small cell carcinoma of the Bronchus resistant to initial combination chemotherapy

Thirty-eight patients with small cell carcinoma of the bronchus resistant to initial chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide methotrexate and CCNU, were treated with VP16-213 alone in a dose of 120 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 3, and 5 every 3 weeks. Twelve patients died before three courses of treatment. In 26 patients who received three or more courses only one, transient partial response occurred. One or more components of the initial chemotherapy seems to confer resistance to the action of VP16-213 in this disease.