Phase II trial of VP16-213 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Fifty-one patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated, during a phase II trial, with 4'demethylepipodophyllotoxin-beta-D-ethylidene glucoside (VP16-213). Forty-nine were evaluable for response, and of these two (4%) had partial responses lasting 5 and 6 months. Prior treatment with chemotherapy may have adversely affected response rate; none of the 24 previously treated patients had a major response. Myelosuppression was the dose limiting toxicity. Anorexia, nausea and vomiting, partial alopecia, and chills plus hypotension during drug infusion were the other toxic effects. We conclude that VP16-213 has only minimal activity as a single agent in NSCLC.