BACKGROUNDThere is no effective regimen for recurrent small cell lung cancer patients now. The aim of this study is to assess the activity and toxicity of topotecan combined with cisplatin in the treatment of recurrent small cell lung cancer patients.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with progressive disease after one first-line regimen enrolled in the study from May 2002 to October 2004. Topotecan was given at the dose of 1.2mg/m² from 1st to 4th days and cisplatin was administered at the dose of 25mg/m² from 5th to 7th days in a cycle of 3 weeks. The patients could be evaluated at least after 2 cycles.

RESULTSOne patient got complete response and ten patients got partial response in this group. The overall response rate was 39.3% , and the response rate of refractory group and sensitive group was 37.5% (3/8) and 40.0% (8/20) respectively. The median time to progression was 4.2 months. The main toxicity was hematological toxicity. Grade III+IV neutropenia occurred in 42.9% (12/28) of the patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe regimen of topotecan and cisplatin shows better activity in retreated small cell lung cancer patients. The main toxicity is hematological toxicity and can be tolerated.