A better therapeutic profile for the combination of mitomycin-C, ifosfamide and cisplatin (MIC) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a useful dose-schedule modification

Abstract

Background: In our previous experience with chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the combination of mitomycin, ifosfamide and cisplatin (MIC) showed the highest activity in a three-arm randomized trial; the MIC regimen also yielded the most toxic effects, with 8% WHO grade 2-4 nephrotoxicity, 21% grade 3-4 leukopenia and 10% grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. In that study cisplatin (120 mg/m2) was delivered on day 1 and ifosfamide and mitomycin on day 2. In an effort to reduce MIC toxicity a modified regimen was tested in a phase II trial: cisplatin 100 mg/m2 was given on day 2 and ifosfamide on day 1 with mitomycin.

Patients and methods: From November 1993 to December 1995, 70 advanced NSCLC patients entered the trial.

Results: Twenty-nine of 70 patients achieved major response (41%) with 6 complete (9%) and 23 partial remissions (33%). We recorded 4% of WHO grade 3-4 anemia, and 2% of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion: We confirmed the activity of the MIC regimen in NSCLC, and the modified schedule seems to substantially improve the safety of the combination.