Treatment of lung cancer with bronchial artery infusion of cisplatin and intravenous sodium thiosulfate rescue.

Forty-nine patients with primary lung cancer were treated with bronchial artery infusion of cisplatin and intravenous injection of and antidote, sodium thiosulfate. More than 50% reduction of tumor size (PR) was observed in 8 of 9 small cell carcinomas (SCLC) and in 16 of 40 non-small cell carcinomas (NSCLC). In NSCLC patients PR was obtained in 71% (12/17) after repeated infusion (greater than or equal to 200 mg cisplatin) and in 17% (4/23) after a single infusion (less than or equal to 150 mg cisplatin). There was a significant linear relationship between cisplatin dose and tumor reduction in this group. No severe adverse effects were encountered.