VP16-213 in combined modality treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Thirty-four previously untreated patients with histologically proven small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a combined modality therapy program that incorporated VP16-213, an epipodophyllotoxin derivative, into the chemotherapy regimen. Initial therapy for two cycles was with V-CAM, VP16-213, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and methotrexate. Following two cycles of V-CAM each patient received radiation therapy consisting of 4000 rads to the primary site, both hila and the mediastinum, as well as 2000 rads as prophylaxis to the whole brain. After a one-week rest period the patients received monthly cycles of V-CAM until death. Of 10 patients with stage IIIM0 disease, 7 had a complete response (CR), 1 a partial response (PR) and 2 had progressive disease. The median survival was still not reached by approximately 18 months. Of 24 patients with supraclavicular and/or metastatic disease there were only 5 patients with a CR, 11 with a PR and 8 with progressive disease. Their median survival was approximately 9 months. The 70% overall response rate and 9.3-month median survival of the entire group are essentially the same results as those in previously reported studies. There appears to be no additional benefit when VP16-213 is incorporated into our combined modality program.