BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the response, adverse effects and survival of MVP regimen and TVP regimen.

METHODSSixty six patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were randomized into two groups:MVP arm (32 patients, mitomycin C 6-8 mg/m² d1, vindesine 2-3 mg/m² d1 and d8, cisplatin 70-80 mg/m² d1) and TVP arm (34 patients, pirarubicin 40-50 mg/m² d1, vindesine and cisplatin were the same as arm MVP). Characteristics of the patients were similar in two arms. All patients received two to four cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe overall responses were 34% (11/32) in the MVP arm and 56% (19/34) in the TVP arm. There were 1 complete response, 10 partial responses in the MVP arm and 1 complete response, 18 partial responses in the TVP arm. TVP regimen appeared to have a higher objective response, but no statistically significant difference in the response was observed between two regimens (Chi-square=2.269, P=0.132). Main side effects were hematological toxicities. Grade III+IV hematological toxicities were significantly higher in the patients of arm TVP than arm MVP, especially neutropenia (79% vs 44%, Chi-square=7.458, P=0.006). Median survival time was 12 months vs 8 months, and 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates were 53% vs 24% (Chi-square=4.943, P=0.026), 17% vs 6%, 6% vs 0, for arm TVP and arm MVP, respectively..

CONCLUSIONSMVP regimen has a lower response rate and longer survival time but less hematological toxicities than TVP regimen. The results suggest MVP regimen is a safe and active regimen for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.