A randomised clinical trial of vindesine plus cisplatin versus mitomycin plus vindesine and cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

WITHDRAWN: Second or third additional chemotherapy drug for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with advanced disease

BACKGROUND

Randomized trials have demonstrated that adding a drug to a single-agent or to a two-agent regimen increased the tumor response rate in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although its impact on survival remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical benefit of adding a drug to a single-agent or two-agent chemotherapy regimen in terms of tumor response rate, survival, and toxicity in patients with advanced NSCLC.

SEARCH METHODS

There were no language restrictions. Searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE were performed using the search terms non-small cell lung carcinoma/drug therapy, adenocarcinoma, large-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, lung, neoplasms, clinical trial phase III, and randomized trial. Manual searches were also performed to find conference proceedings published between January 1982 and June 2006.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Data from all randomized controlled trials performed between 1980 and 2006 (published between January 1980 and June 2006) comparing a doublet regimen with a single-agent regimen or comparing a triplet regimen with a doublet regimen in patients with advanced NSCLC.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two independent investigators reviewed the publications and extracted the data. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for the objective tumor response rate, one-year survival rate, and toxicity rate were calculated using the fixed-effect model. Pooled median ratios (MRs) for median survival also were calculated using the fixed-effect model. ORs and MRs lower than unity (< 1.0) indicate a benefit of a doublet regimen compared with a single-agent regimen (or a triplet regimen compared with a doublet regimen).

MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-five trials (13601 patients) were eligible. In the trials comparing a doublet regimen with a single-agent regimen, a significant increase was observed in tumor response (OR 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.47, P < 0.001) and one-year survival (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.91, P < 0.001) in favor of the doublet regimen. The median survival ratio was 0.83 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.89, P < 0.001). An increase also was observed in the tumor response rate (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.75, P < 0.001) in favor of the triplet regimen, but not for one-year survival (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.21, P = 0.88). The median survival ratio was 1.00 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.06, P = 0.97).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Adding a second drug improved tumor response and survival rate. Adding a third drug had a weaker effect on tumor response and no effect on survival.

Second or third additional chemotherapy drug for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with advanced disease

BACKGROUND

Randomized trials have demonstrated that adding a drug to a single-agent or to a two-agent regimen increased the tumor response rate in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although its impact on survival remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical benefit of adding a drug to a single-agent or two-agent chemotherapy regimen in terms of tumor response rate, survival, and toxicity in patients with advanced NSCLC.

SEARCH STRATEGY

There were no language restrictions. Searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE were performed using the search terms non-small cell lung carcinoma/drug therapy, adenocarcinoma, large-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, lung, neoplasms, clinical trial phase III, and randomized trial. Manual searches were also performed to find conference proceedings published between January 1982 and June 2006.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Data from all randomized controlled trials performed between 1980 and 2006 (published between January 1980 and June 2006) comparing a doublet regimen with a single-agent regimen or comparing a triplet regimen with a doublet regimen in patients with advanced NSCLC.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two independent investigators reviewed the publications and extracted the data. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for the objective tumor response rate, one-year survival rate, and toxicity rate were calculated using the fixed-effect model. Pooled median ratios (MRs) for median survival also were calculated using the fixed-effect model. ORs and MRs lower than unity (< 1.0) indicate a benefit of a doublet regimen compared with a single-agent regimen (or a triplet regimen compared with a doublet regimen).

MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-five trials (13601 patients) were eligible. In the trials comparing a doublet regimen with a single-agent regimen, a significant increase was observed in tumor response (OR 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.47, P < 0.001) and one-year survival (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.91, P < 0.001) in favor of the doublet regimen. The median survival ratio was 0.83 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.89, P < 0.001). An increase also was observed in the tumor response rate (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.75, P < 0.001) in favor of the triplet regimen, but not for one-year survival (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.21, P = 0.88). The median survival ratio was 1.00 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.06, P = 0.97).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Adding a second drug improved tumor response and survival rate. Adding a third drug had a weaker effect on tumor response and no effect on survival.

Mechanisms of resistance to cisplatin and carboplatin

While cisplatin and carboplatin are active versus most common cancers, epithelial malignancies are incurable when metastatic. Even if an initial response occurs, acquired resistance due to mutations and epigenetic events limits efficacy. Resistance may be due to excess of a resistance factor, to saturation of factors required for tumor cell killing, or to mutation or alteration of a factor required for tumor cell killing. Platinum resistance could arise from decreased tumor blood flow, extracellular conditions, reduced platinum uptake, increased efflux, intracellular detoxification by glutathione, etc., decreased binding (e.g., due to high intracellular pH), DNA repair, decreased mismatch repair, defective apoptosis, antiapoptotic factors, effects of several signaling pathways, or presence of quiescent non-cycling cells. In lung cancer, flattening of dose-response curves at higher doses suggests that efficacy is limited by exhaustion of something required for cell killing, and several clinical observations suggest epigenetic events may play a major role in resistance.

A phase III randomized trial comparing vindesine and cisplatin with or without ifosfamide in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term follow-up results and analysis of prognostic factors

In order to evaluate the activity and toxicity of a three-drug combination of vindesine, ifosfamide and cisplatin (VIP) for inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we conducted a randomized trial comparing VIP with a two-drug combination of cisplatin and vindesine (VP). Between September 1987 and March 1992, a total of 132 patients with stage III or IV NSCLC were randomly allocated to either VIP or VP. The VIP regimen consisted of vindesine (VDS 3 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8), ifosfamide (IFX 1300 mg/m(2) on days 1-5), and cisplatin (CDDP 20 mg/m(2) on days 1-5). The VP regimen consisted of VDS and CDDP with the same dose and schedule as the VIP regimen. Both regimens were repeated every 4 weeks. Objective response rates were 49.3% (95% confidence interval: 95%CI, 43.1-55.4%) in the VIP arm and 44.6% (95%CI, 38.4-50.2%) in the VP arm; the difference was not significant (P=0.5390). Median response duration, median survival time, and two-year survival rates were 26.5 weeks, 49.6 weeks, and 14.9% in the VIP arm and 28.7 weeks, 37.1 weeks, and 12.3% in the VP arm, respectively. There were also no significant differences between these two treatment arms. In comparison with the VP regimen, however, a survival advantage of the VIP regimen could be confirmed when the data were evaluated with Cox's multivariate analysis (P=0.0131). In both arms, the principal toxicity was myelosuppression, which was significantly more frequent in the VIP arm, although generally well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested the survival advantage of the VIP regimen over the VP regimen for treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.

The role of mitomycin in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis of the literature

In order to clarify the role of mitomycin (MMC) in the treatment of NSCLC, we performed a systematic review of the literature and qualitatively assessed the selected studies using the ELCWP and Chalmers scales. 5 trials (202 patients) assessed the activity of MMC as single-agent chemotherapy in NSCLC. The overall response rate was 25% (95% Cl 19-31). In 10 randomized phase III trials (1769 patients), we studied the role of MMC in combination therapy. A meta-analysis, based on the available published data, failed to show any survival advantage of the MMC containing regimens (hazard ratio = 0.95; 95% Cl 0.83-1.10). Finally, 4 eligible trials (139 patients) assessed the activity of MMC regimens as salvage therapy, 3 in combination with vindesine and one with cisplatin and vinblastine. The overall response rate for the MMC-vindesine regimen was 10.5% (95% Cl 1.7-19.4). In conclusion, MMC is an active drug for NSCLC but does not improve survival when combined with other active drugs, particularly cisplatin. Its use for salvage therapy appears to be associated with marginal activity only.

Mitomycin C: a clinical update

Mitomycin C was reviewed in this journal 25 years ago and an update of its clinical usefulness is appropriate. The current review is based on representative publications covering clinical trials performed throughout the world. Single agent activity in each of the major neoplastic diseases has been reassessed when possible and the most important combinations evaluated. It is concluded that mitomycin C has a definite place in the treatment of localized bladder cancer, is active, but needs to be redefined, in the context of newer regimens for breast, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancers, is active in, but is being displaced by, other drugs in cervical, gastric and pancreatic cancers, and is probably no longer of therapeutic value in colon cancer. It is also recognized that as many newer treatments have clinical success, the therapeutic role of mitomycin C will require continuing re-investigation.

Risk factors of treatment-related death in chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy for lung cancer

We retrospectively analysed the incidence and risk factors of treatment-related death in the treatment of chemotherapy- and thoracic radiotherapy-naïve patients with lung cancer. Between July 1992 and December 1997, 1799 patients were diagnosed as having lung cancer in our hospital and 926 patients received chemotherapy and/or thoracic radiotherapy. 25 patients (2.7%) died from toxicity of the treatment, 10 from pneumonia, 7 from radiation pneumonitis, 6 from sepsis, 1 from perforation of the small intestine and 1 for an unknown reason. 18 patients (2.3%) died from chemotherapy-related toxicity. The incidence of treatment-related death (TRD) from chemotherapy was highly correlated with the performance status (PS), PS 0: 0.7%, PS 1: 2.2%, PS 2: 4.0%, PS 3: 7.7% and PS 4: 25% (P=0.004). 7 patients (1.6%) died from pneumonitis after thoracic radiotherapy. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that poor PS (relative risk (RR): 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-3.65, P=0.034) and chemotherapy using the cisplatin+vindesine+mitomycin C regimen (RR: 9.36, 95% CI: 1.29-68.0, P=0.027) are associated with treatment-related death from chemotherapy. Pulmonary fibrosis identified on a plain chest X-ray film (RR: 165.7, 95% CI: 8.79-3122, P<0.001), the combination of cisplatin+irinotecan (RR: 120.5, 95% CI: 2.90-4993, P=0.012), advanced age (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.002-1.37, P=0.047), and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (RR: 10.4, 95% CI: 1.20-90.2, P=0.033) were also associated with treatment-related death from thoracic radiotherapy. The administration of mitomycin C in addition to cisplatin-based regimens for patients with lung cancer should be carefully considered.

Phase III randomized trial comparing moderate-dose cisplatin to combined cisplatin and carboplatin in addition to mitomycin and ifosfamide in patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer

A phase III randomized trial was conducted in patients with metastatic NSCLC, to determine if, in association with mitomycin (6 mg m(-2)) and ifosfamide (3 g m(-2)), the combination of moderate dosages of cisplatin (60 mg m(-2)) and carboplatin (200 mg m(-2)) - CarboMIP regimen - improved survival in comparison with cisplatin (50 mg m(-2)) alone - MIP regimen. A total of 305 patients with no prior chemotherapy were randomized, including 297 patients assessable for survival (147 in the MIP arm and 150 in the CarboMIP arm) and 268 patients assessable for response to chemotherapy. All but eight (with malignant pleural effusion) had stage IV disease. There was a 27% (95% CI, 19-34) objective response (OR) rate to MIP (25% of the eligible patients) and a 33% (95% CI, 24-41) OR rate to CarboMIP (29% of the eligible patients). This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.34). Duration of response was not significantly different between both arms. There was also no difference (P = 0.67) in survival: median survival times were 28 weeks (95% Cl, 24-32) for MIP and 32 weeks (95% Cl, 26-35) for CarboMIP, with respectively 1-year survival rates of 24% and 23% and 2-year survival rates of 5% and 2%. The main toxicities consisted in emesis, alopecia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, that were, except alopecia, significantly more severe in the CarboMIP arm. Our trial failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in response or survival when patients with metastatic NSCLC were treated, in addition to ifosfamide and mitomycin, by combination of moderate dosages of cisplatin and carboplatin instead of moderate dosage of cisplatin alone. The results support the use of a moderate dose (50 mg m(-2)) of cisplatin in combination with ifosfamide and mitomycin for the chemotherapy of this disease.

Mitomycin C plus vindesine plus etoposide (MEV) versus mitomycin C plus vindesine plus cisplatin (MVP) in stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer: A phase III multicentre randomised trial. The "Gruppo Oncologico Centro-Sud-Isole' (G.O.C.S.I.)

PURPOSE

To compare mitomycin C plus vindesine plus etoposide (MEV) vs. mitomycin C plus vindesine plus cisplatin (MVP) in the treatment of stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

204 patients were entered in a phase III multicentre randomised trial from June 1990 to December 1994 and stratified according to the ECOG performance status (0-1 vs. 2). MVP was given in the following dosages: mitomycin C 8 mg/m2+vindesine 3 mg/m2+cisplatin 100 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and vindesine 3 mg/m2 i.v. day 8 with cycles repeated every 4 weeks. MEV was given in the following dosages: mitomycin C 8 mg/m2+vindesine 3 mg/ m2 i.v. day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 to 3 with cycles repeated every 3 weeks. For both treatments a maximum of 6 cycles was planned. Response and toxicity were evaluated according to WHO. Subjective responses were assessed by numerical scales. Analyses were made on the basis of intent to treat.

RESULTS

The objective response rate was 21.4% (1 CR + 21 PR among 103 patients) in the MEV and 28.7% (1 CR + 28 PR among 101 patients) in the MVP arm (P = 0.48). Symptoms were similar in the two arms. 196 patients progressed and 182 died. The median times to progression were 10 weeks (95% CI 9-12) and 12 weeks (95% CI 10-15) and median survivals were 29 weeks (95% CI 25-36) and 28 weeks (95% CI 25-35) in the MEV and MVP arms, respectively. The relative risks of progressing and of dying were 0.89 (95% CL 0.66-1.20) and 0.96 (95% CL 0.71-1.30), respectively, for patients receiving MVP as compared with those receiving MEV at multivariate analysis adjusted by sex, age, histologic type, number of metastatic sites, performance status at entry, and centre.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, no significant differences were observed in response rate, survival or palliation of symptoms between the MEV and MVP regimens, while toxicity was significantly more frequent and severe with MVP. Thus, MEV should be considered a reasonable alternative to the MVP regimen in the treatment of stage IV NSCLC.

A phase III randomized trial of cisplatin plus vindesine versus cisplatin plus vindesine plus mitomycin C versus cisplatin plus vindesine plus ifosfamide for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

A randomized trial of chemotherapy in 105 patients with advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NCSLC) was conducted in order to compare the effect of the additional drug mitomycin C (PVM) or ifosfamide (PVI), to the combination of cisplatin plus vindesine (PV). An objective response rate was observed in 42.8% of the patients treated with PVM, 42.4% with PVI and 28.6% with PV and these response rates were not statistically significant (P > 0.20). No patient achieved the complete response with either of the three regimens. Comparison of the median response durations among the three regimens showed an advantage of PVI over PVM (P < 0.02) and PV (P < 0.05). The median survival times (MST) were similar for all three regimens (PVM, 33.5; PVI, 40.0 and PV, 36.5 weeks); moreover, the difference in survival time between the three regimens of responders was not statistically significant. The univariate analysis showed that significant predictors of survival were performance status (PS) zero (P = 0.0002), limited disease (P = 0.004), no previous weight loss (P = 0.01) and normal serum albumin (P = 0.016), and in multivariate analysis by a stepwise Cox proportional hazard model, these were PS zero (a hazard ratio of 2.3, P = 0.0001) and limited disease (a hazard ratio of 1.9, P = 0.048). Toxicity did not differ among the three treatment regimens.

Multicenter randomized trial comparing cisplatin-mitomycin-vinorelbine versus cisplatin-mitomycin-vindesine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. 'Groupe Français de Pneumo-Cancérologie'

The study was designed to evaluate the value of vinorelbine in a cisplatin-mitomycin-vinca alkaloid regimen for treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A group of 227 patients with inoperable NSCLC in stage III (58%) or stage IV (42%) were included in this randomized multicenter trial comparing a reference regimen (VDS group, n = 113) cisplatin (120 mg/m2 on day 1, day 29 and day 71), mitomycin (8 mg/m2 on day 1, day 29 and day 71) and vindesine (3 mg/m2/week for 5 weeks and then every 2 weeks up to the 15th week) to a cisplatin-mitomycin-vinorelbine combination (VNB group, n = 114), with cisplatin and mitomycin at the same doses, and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2/week for 16 weeks. The objective response rate (evaluated at 17th week) was 17% in the VDS group and 25% in the VNB group (P = 0.15). Median survival was 33.4 weeks and 34.5 weeks in the VDS and VNB arms, respectively. Overall survival duration was not significantly different between the two arms (logrank test, P = 0.20) despite a trend to an increased survival in the VNB group. This essentially benefited the patients with stage III disease with a clear-cut lengthening of median (45.9 vs. 33.4 weeks) and 1 year survival (44.6% vs. 26.2%, P < 0.05) in favor of the VNB group. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in overall survival (logrank, P = 0.13). Survival duration of the patients with stage IV disease was comparable in the two arms (logrank test, P = 0.90). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was found in 61% and 87% of the VDS and VNB groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Grade 2-4 peripheral neuropathy was observed in 23% of the patients in the VDS group and in 6% of the patients in the VNB group (P < 0.01). Replacement of vindesine by vinorelbine in a cisplatin-mitomycin-vinca alkaloid chemotherapeutic regimen did not lead to a significant improvement in objective response rate or in duration of survival. There was a reduction in neurotoxicity at the expense of an increased hematologic toxicity. However, for patients with stage III disease there was an increase in 1 year survival with the vinorelbine combination.

Prospective evaluation of the feasibility of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for elderly lung cancer patients with normal organ functions

A study was conducted to examine the feasibility of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in elderly patients (> or = 75 years old) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Thirty-four patients were enrolled between September 1993 and December 1994. Patients with normal organ function and good performance status (PS) received cisplatin-based chemotherapy (cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and vindesine 3 mg/m2 on days 2 and 8 for NSCLC, or cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 2 to 4 for SCLC). Ten patients (29%) were eligible for this study, 7 with NSCLC and 3 with SCLC. Reasons for exclusion were ischemic heart disease in 14, poor PS (> or = 2) in 11, reduced creatinine clearance (Cer) in 10, abnormal electrocardiogram without ischemia in 9 and noncompliance with the protocol in 2 patients. Eight patients had two or more reasons. Nine of the 10 eligible patients were able to tolerate two or more courses of chemotherapy. All 3 patients with SCLC responded (1 complete response and 2 partial response), but only 1 of the patients with NSCLC achieved partial response. Toxicity was evaluated according to Japan Clinical Oncology Group criteria. All but one patient experienced grade 4 neutropenia, and 6 patients had infectious episodes requiring antibiotics. Grade 3 anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. Non-hematological toxicities were mild. Only 10 of 34 patients (29%) satisfied our eligibility criteria and they experienced severe myelotoxicity. We conclude that chemotherapy should be given carefully to elderly patients even if they appear to have normal organ function.

A four-drug combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, mitomycin, vindesine and 5 fluorouracile: a regimen associated with major toxicity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of a 4-drug combination chemotherapy: cisplatin, mitomycin C, vindesine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy consisted of the administration of cisplatin (30 mg/m2 d 1-4), mitomycin C (10 mg/m2 d 1), vindesine (3 mg/m2 d 1) and 5-FU (1 g/m2 d 1-4 by continuous intravenous infusion). In patients older than 70 years, and in those who received prior irradiation or chemotherapy, cisplatin and 5-FU were omitted on day 4. Courses were repeated every 4 weeks and evaluation of response was performed after the first 2 courses. In case of response, treatment was continued until best response or untolerable toxicity. Among 182 eligible patients, 75% had received no prior therapy; 41% had locoregional disease and 59% metastatic disease; 41% lost more than 5% of their pretherapy body weight. A 34% objective response rate was observed in the 164 evaluable patients (31% in all the eligible patients) including 4 complete and 52 partial responses. Patients with locoregional disease had a significantly better response rate than those with metastases (44% vs 27%). The overall median survival was 26 weeks. Significant hematological toxicity was documented but the most serious adverse event was the occurrence of 18 (10%) cardiac or sudden deaths. These toxic deaths were significantly associated with a 5% loss of body weight prior to therapy. The addition of 5-FU to combination of cisplatin, mitomycin C and vindesine does not improve antitumoral effect but results in very significant cardiac toxicity.

Is there a role for vindesine in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer?

Vindesine is a semisynthetic derivative of vinblastine which has been evaluated in clinical studies since the late 1970's. The literature on vindesine in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer has been reviewed and all aspects of vindesine treatment in this disease has been covered. It is concluded that vindesine as a single agent yields a response rate of 18% based on the treatment of 295 patients included in phase II trials (95% confidence limits 13%-22%). No difference was observed among the three major histologic types of non-small cell lung cancer. In phase III trials, the response rate and confidence limits are at a similar level. Combination chemotherapy including vindesine plus cisplatin ranks among the most active treatments in non-small cell lung cancer and is as active as etoposide plus cisplatin, both with respect to response rate and survival. It has not been documented that the addition of one or two other drugs to the combination of vindesine yields an increase in survival. When best supportive care was compared with a combination of vindesine plus cisplatin, the group with chemotherapy was attributed a survival advantage in all three studies published, and the difference was statistically significant in two of these three studies. Thus, vindesine has a well documented activity in non-small cell lung cancer and ranks among the most active single agents in this disease. Vindesine is also part of several active combination chemotherapies among which the combination of vindesine plus cisplatin is particularly interesting, because it has been repeatedly shown to prolong survival as compared to supportive care. Especially this latter point leads to the conclusion that there is a role for vindesine in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. However, the concept of chemotherapy in this disease remains investigational even though the advances seen in recent years clearly merit further studies.

Chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with primary lung cancer

To elucidate the factors which influence the value of hemoglobin, the nadir value of hemoglobin, frequency of blood transfusion and prognostic value of blood transfusion in patients with primary lung cancer during intensive chemotherapy, the hematological features of 124 patients entered into a randomized phase III study containing cisplatin were retrospectively analyzed. There was no difference in the percent nadir hemoglobin value of the first course of chemotherapy (% of pretreatment value) in any of the subgroups with respect to sex, body weight loss, performance status, age, stage, number of metastatic sites or treatment arms. The only predictive indicator for the nadir hemoglobin value in the first course of chemotherapy was the pretreatment value of hemoglobin. The equation for the regression line was y = 1.07 + 0.73x (R2 = 0.663, p < 0.001). The lowest nadir hemoglobin value (% of pretreatment value) during all chemotherapy courses was significantly lower in the subgroups older than 60 years and those with body weight loss. There was an inverse correlation between the accumulated dose of cisplatin and the lowest nadir hemoglobin value (p < 0.05). The frequency of blood transfusion in patients with more than two metastatic sites was significantly higher than in those with one or no metastatic sites (p < 0.05). Survival of patients who had required blood transfusion after chemotherapy was significantly shorter than that of patients who had not (p < 0.05).

The antitumor activity of radiation therapy is reduced in patients with non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung refractory to chemotherapy

Some in vitro studies demonstrate cross-resistance between chemotherapy (CT) and radiation therapy (RT) but there is no in vivo data showing the same effect. Several studies have estimated the response rate to chemotherapy following radiation, but the question of radiation responsiveness in chemotherapy-refractory tumors has not been examined. Between 1982 and 1988, 162 patients with stage IIIA, IIIB and IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received chemotherapy on various protocols at the National Cancer Center. All were treated until progression or the occurrence of unacceptable toxicity. Forty patients developed local progression on chemotherapy and were given radiation therapy (50 to 60 Gy). Nine responders (22.5%: 95% confidence limit, 9.5-35.5%) were seen in this group, a rate substantially lower than was to be expected with primary radiation treatment. The univariate logistic regression analysis with RT response as the outcome demonstrated that there was significant heterogeneity in response for T and N status between responders and non-responders. Also the odd ratio for radiation dose was strong (OR = 0.20), indicating that a low dose was less likely to produce response although this was not statistically significant. Hematologic toxicity was mild, but 11 patients (27.5%) developed evidence of acute radiation pneumonitis. These results suggest that some chemotherapy-refractory NSCLC may show cross-resistance to radiation therapy which consequently has marginal antitumor activity in this setting.

A prognostic-factor risk index in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy

Prognostic factors for response and survival were retrospectively evaluated in 192 previously untreated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received either vindesine plus cisplatin or mitomycin plus vindesine plus cisplatin as initial treatment. Univariate analysis demonstrated that squamous-cell histology, early stage, and a small number of metastatic sites were favorable prognostic factors for response to chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model indicated that the number of metastatic sites was the only significant pretreatment factor for response (P = 0.0005). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the number of metastatic sites (P = 0.0002), sex (P = 0.0009), serum albumen levels (P = 0.0018), performance status (P = 0.0026) and lactic dehydrogenase values (P = 0.0026) contributed independently to survival. On the basis of these five prognostic factors, a prognostic index for survival was used to define three prognostic groupings (good, intermediate, and poor) for survival (median survival, 16.5 vs 9.4 vs 4.6 months; P = 0.0001). This particular regression model should aid in the design and analysis of new treatment strategies and may be useful for indirect comparisons of different studies carried out in similar patient populations.