VP16, epirubicin and procarbazine in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

We report the results obtained in the treatment of 52 advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients with the combination chemotherapy VP16 (120 mg/m2 i.v., days 1-2-3), epirubicin (50 mg/m2 i.v., day 1) and procarbazine (100 mg/m2 p.o., days 1 through 8). The courses were repeated every 21 days. No patient had been pretreated. A median of 5 courses was administered. Partial response was obtained in 33% and no change in 21% of patients. Median remission time was 6.5 months, and median survival of responders was 10 months. The best response rate and median survival were obtained in the lowest grade performance status patients and in locally advanced disease patients. Major chemotherapy related toxicities were grade 1-2 leukopenia and grade 2-3 alopecia.