[Effects of oral etoposide in small cell carcinoma of the lung]

Eleven patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with 120 mg/m2/day of Etoposide (VP-16-213) given orally for 5 days every 3 or 4 weeks. One of these eleven achieved complete response and two partial response. The response characteristically occurred within one or two courses of therapy, but the duration of the effect was short with relapse after 10 to 54 days (mean 23 days). It is concluded that Etoposide is an effective agent in treating small cell carcinoma of the lung, but of limited values when used as a single agent. This drug may be useful in combination chemotherapy regimens.