BACKGROUNDSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is considered extremely sensitive to first-line chemotherapy, but most patients are destined to relapse, and need a second-line regimen. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the paclitaxel and cisplatin (PC) combination in relapsed SCLC.

METHODSEligible patients were those with SCLC who had progressed or relapsed after therapy with carboplatin and etoposide (with or without chest radiotherapy). Forty-one patients were enrolled for this study. The PC regimen consisted of paclitaxel 175mg/m² on day 1 and cisplatin 30mg/m² on days 1, 2, 3; PC was given every 21 days.

RESULTSIn 39 evaluable patients, responses included 5 complete remissions and 18 partial remissions (overall response rate, 59.0%), 13 patients had stable disease and 3 had progressive disease. Median time to progression and overall survival were 20 and 27 weeks, respectively. The 1-year survival rate was 10.3%. The main toxicity was hematological toxicity. Grade III+IV leukopenia was seen in 10 patients ( 24.4% ) and no febrile neutropenia, grade III thrombocytopenia was seen in 2 patients (4.9%). Nausea and vomiting was seen in 34 patients (82.9%), including 3 patients with grade III. No grade III+IV neuropathy was observed, there was no renal toxicity. There were no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONSThe PC combination is highly active and tolerable in patients with relapsed SCLC when it is administered as second-line treatment .