Chemotherapy for small cell bronchogenic carcinoma: CCNU and doxorubicin compared to CCNU, doxorubicin, vincristine, and procarbazine

Abstract

Forty consecutive patients with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma were treated. The first 18 patients were treated with CCNU and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) (CA). The next 22 patients were treated with CCNU, doxorubicin, procarbazine, and vincristine (CAPO). Patient characteristics were similar. The partial plus complete response rate was 55% (ten of 18 patients) in the CA group compared to 41% (nine of 22 patients) in the CAPO group. The median survival from treatment was 28 weeks in the CA group compared to 33 weeks in the CAPO group. There were no drug-related deaths among the patients receiving CA compared to two definite and three probably drug-related deaths among the patients receiving CAPO. The addition of procarbazine and vincristine to CA for the treatment of small cell bronchogenic carcinoma resulted in increased toxicity and no survival benefit.