Etoposide, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine in previously untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer

The efficacy and toxicity of 120 mg/m² etoposide and 100 mg/m² carboplatin given i.v. daily x 3 together with 750 mg/m² cyclophosphamide and 14 mg/m² vincristine given i.v. on day 1 (ECCO) in a regimen given every 28 days for 6 courses was assessed in 90 (40 limited stage, 50 extensive stage) previously untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer. Mediastinal irradiation using 50 Gy in 25 fractions was given to limitedstage patients without progression after 3 courses of chemotherapy. Cranial irradiation with 30 Gy in 10 fractions was given to all patients attaining a complete response (CR). Objective responses were seen in 83% [CR, 60%; partial response (PR), 23%] of patients with limited and 76% (CR, 22%; PR, 54%) of those with extensive disease. The median relapse-free survival for objective responders with limited disease was 13.4 months, with a median of 8.0 months for extensive-stage patients. The median relapse-free survival for patients achieving a CR was 13.4 months, with a median of 7.8 months for those undergoing a PR. The median survival was 13.3 months for patients with limited disease, with a median of 9.6 months for those with extensive disease. The median survival following a CR was 18.2 months, with a median survival of 9.9 months for those showing a PR. The combination was well tolerated, with either no nausea or nausea only (WHO grade 0 or 1) in 56% of patients and minimal mucositis, renal toxicity, neurotoxicity or ototoxicity. Neutropenia measuring <1.0×10⁹ WBC/l (WHO grade 3 or 4) was seen in 74% of patients, with two deaths due to infection occurring during neutropenia. Thrombocytopenia of <50×10⁹ platelets/l (WHO grade 3 or 4) occurred in 24% of patients. ECCO is a new, active, welltolerated program for previously untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer.