Lung cancer : journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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In the treatment of extensive disease of small cell lung cancer (ED SCLC) there is an urgent need for more effective and better-tolerated drug regimens. We report on a prospective phase II trial performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a platinum-free regimen--containing topotecan and etoposide--in the first-line treatment of ED SCLC. Between December 1999 and July 2001, 28 chemotherapy-naive patients with ED SCLC were recruited; 9 patients had stage IIIB disease and 19 patients had stage IV disease. ⋯ The combination therapy of topotecan and etoposide is active in first-line chemotherapy for patients with ED SCLC. The regimen showed a tolerable safety profile. Since drug scheduling plays a critical role in the combination of topoisomerase I and II inhibitors, concurrent administration of topotecan and etoposide might increase the efficacy.