The importance of dose and schedule in chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer

To improve the survival outlook for patients with small cell lung cancer a variety of chemotherapy strategies has been adopted. This review focuses on the evidence for schedule dependency, particularly with regard to etoposide, and reviews the use of alternating chemotherapy protocols and weekly regimens in small cell lung cancer treatment. Recent improvements in supportive care, with the use of haemopoietic growth factors and peripheral blood progenitor cells, have led to renewed interest in the concept of dose intensity. Preliminary results of dose intensification in small cell lung cancer are described and future prospects discussed.