[Phase II study of vindesine in patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma by Cooperative Study Group]

A phase II study of vindesine was performed by National Chest Hospital Lung Cancer Cooperative Study Group involving 21 institutions. Of 91 patients who entered into the study, 68 patients were evaluable. Response rates were 11.8% (3/33), 8.3% (1/12) and 14.3% (1/7) for small cell, adeno, squamous cell, and large cell carcinoma of the lung, respectively. Vindesine was given by bolus i.v. injection at doses of 3 to 5 mg weekly, and the total doses ranged from 12 to 24 mg with 8 responders. Adverse reactions of vindesine were leukopenia (less than 3000 cells/cmm, 54%), anorexia, peripheral neuropathies, hairloss, etc., but they were generally reversible and the discontinuation of treatment was rare.