Epirubicin weekly in combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and vincristine in untreated small cell lung cancer: a phase II trial.

Thirty-three patients with untreated small cell lung carcinoma received 6 cycles epirubicin 30 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 8, and 15, in combination with cyclophosphamide 1,000 mg/m2 on day 1 and vincristine 2 mg i.v. on day 1 every 3 weeks. Thirty-one patients were evaluable concerning state of remission. Four out of 13 patients with limited disease had a complete, and 6 a partial remission, while 2 out of 18 patients with extensive disease had a complete and 8 a partial remission. The toxicity of this therapy regimen was very low. The results of this treatment did not differ significantly in comparison to the standardized treatment of small cell lung cancer, but it was easier to tolerate.