Abstract

PURPOSE
Although it is well recognized that SCLC is a chemo and radiosensitive tumor, only fraction of treated patients have a complete remission, fewer still have durable remissions. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical effects of IEP chemotherapy in patients with SCLC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients with histologically proven SCLC who has measurable disease and previously untreated, were eligible. Treatment consisted of ifosfamide 1000 mg/m2 iv infusion for 1 hour on days 1~5 with mesna uroprotection; epirubicin 60 mg/m2 iv on day 1; and cisplatin 20 mg/m2 iv infusion on days 1~5 with hydration; repeated treatment every 4 weeks RESULTS: Twenty four patients(20 males, 4 females) were eligible for response to IEP chemotherapy. The two patients were excluded because one died before evaluating response to chemotherapy and the other had brain metastasis. The median age was 61(range 34-74). Fifteen patients had a limited disease(LD), nine patients had a extensive disease(ED). The overall response rate was 86.4%(CR 36.4%, PR 50%). In LD, response rate was 86.7%(CR 46.7%) and in ED, response rate was 85.7%(CR 14.3%). The median overall survival time was 43.5 weeks. The median survival time of LD and ED was 46.5 weeks and 43.5 weeks respectively. The median time to progression was 20 weeks in responders. The toxicity was moderate. One toxic death was observed. Grade 1 or 2 non-hematologic toxicities consisted of alopecia, nausea and vomiting in all cases, peripheral neuropathy in 3, hematuria in 2, mucositis in 11, and fever/infection in 6. Hematologic toxic effects included leukopenia(> or =grade.3, 16.5%), anemia(> or =grade 3, 1%), and thrombocytopenia(> or =grade 3, 6.8%).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that IEP chemotherapy may be useful as a treatment strategy in small cell lung cancer, but its efficacy is equivalent. The phase III study should be needed.

• Keywords: Ifosfamide;Epirubicin;Cisplatin;SCLC;Chemotherapy