BACKGROUNDTo investigate the efficacy and toxicity of ifosfamide, etoposide, and carboplatin (IEC) regimen in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSThirty-three patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were treated with IEC regimen, which consisted of ifosfamide 2.0g/m²(patients with age > 70 years: 1.3g/m²), IV D1-3; etoposide 130mg/m², IV D1-3; carboplatin 300mg/m², IV D1, repeated every four weeks.

RESULTSOf the 33 patients, 7 cases got partial response, 24 had stable diseases, and 2 had progressive diseases, and the overall response rate was 21.2% (7/33,95% CI: 7.3% to 35.1%). The median survival and 1-year survival rate were 7.8 months (95% CI: 6.2 to 9.4 months) and 20.0%(95% CI: 6.0% to 34.0%) respectively. Main adverse effects were severe hematologic toxicities. The frequency of leukopenia,thrombocytopenia and anemia with grade III and grade IV was 51.5% (17/33), 18.2%(6/33) and 30.3%(10/33) respectively. There was significantly higher frequency of leukopenia (P=0.024) and thrombocytopenia (P=0.037) with grade III and grade IV in patients with age≥60 years than those with age < 60 years.

CONCLUSIONSIEC is an effective regimen in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Main adverse effects are severe hematologic toxicities, which are more significant in elderly patients. It is necessary to apply G-CSF or GM-CSF protection to avoid severe myelosuppression for elderly patients.