BACKGROUDN: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a chemotherapy-sensitive tumor. However, the duration of response is usually short and most patients experience relapses. Topotecan is commonly used for treatment of these patients. Nevertheless, the response rate of topotecan as a single regimen is only about 20% and the resulting severe myelosuppression is troublesome. Vincristine is also an active agent, and it does not compromise the marrow function. In this background, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of topotecan and vincristine combination chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with pathologically confirmed SCLC refractory to or recurrent after platinum-based chemotherapy were eligible for this study. The treatment regimen was as follows; topotecan 1.5 mg/m2/day IV bolus on day 1, 2 and 3 and vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 (maximum 2 mg on day 1 (on every cycle)) and day 2 (on odd cycles only). This regimen was repeated every 3 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated in terms of response rate, time to progression and overall survival duration. The toxicities were assessed according to NCI-CTC version 3.0. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were entered into this study. The median age was 63 years (range 43-85 years). Partial response was obtained for 3 patients (response rate 15.8%, 95% CI: 0-32.5%). The median time to progression and survival duration was 51 days and 199 days, respectively. For a total of 52 cycles of treatment, grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 25.0% and 11.5% of the patients, respectively. Grade 2 neurotoxicities were observed in 15.4% of the patients. There was no treatment-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The topotecan and vincritine combination is active and safe for patients with recurrence or refractory SCLC. However, the benefit of adding vincristine to topotecan needs to be confirmed in further studies.
Bone Marrow ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Neutropenia ; Recurrence ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Topotecan* ; Vincristine*