OBJECTIVES: This paper investigates the problem of treatment-related deaths in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). DESIGN: To observe and define increased hazard levels, and to identify factors relating to these excess deaths. SETTING: The United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: A total of 2196 patients entered into the series of six randomised clinical trials in SCLC conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lung Cancer Working Party (LCWP). RESULTS: In this large series of patients an increased risk of death in the second week after commencing the first cycle of chemotherapy was observed, suggesting that of the 10% of patients who died within 3 weeks of starting chemotherapy, half may have been treatment-related. Much less additional risk was associated with subsequent cycles of chemotherapy, and no additional risk with either initial surgery or radiotherapy. Radford et al. [Eur J Cancer 1993; 29A: 81-86] suggested that the risk factors for death from sepsis were a Karnofsky Performance (KP) score of < or = 50 (translated as a WHO performance grade (PS) > or = 3), age > 50 years and three or more drugs in the chemotherapy regimen utilised. Starting with this model we found that our data suggest it can be refined by omitting age and including a white blood cell count > or = 10,000/mm3 (this variable was not tested by Radford), and changing the other categories to WHO PS > or = 2 (KP < or = 70), and four or more drugs. Within our data this revised model identified a high risk group of patients with an excess death rate of more than 15% in the second week after starting chemotherapy. Radford et als' suggestion that high risk patients be given half doses of drugs at the first cycle should be tested in a randomised clinical trial.
OBJECTIVES: This paper investigates the problem of treatment-related deaths in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). DESIGN: To observe and define increased hazard levels, and to identify factors relating to these excess deaths. SETTING: The United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: A total of 2196 patients entered into the series of six randomised clinical trials in SCLC conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lung Cancer Working Party (LCWP). RESULTS: In this large series of patients an increased risk of death in the second week after commencing the first cycle of chemotherapy was observed, suggesting that of the 10% of patients who died within 3 weeks of starting chemotherapy, half may have been treatment-related. Much less additional risk was associated with subsequent cycles of chemotherapy, and no additional risk with either initial surgery or radiotherapy. Radford et al. [Eur J Cancer 1993; 29A: 81-86] suggested that the risk factors for death from sepsis were a Karnofsky Performance (KP) score of < or = 50 (translated as a WHO performance grade (PS) > or = 3), age > 50 years and three or more drugs in the chemotherapy regimen utilised. Starting with this model we found that our data suggest it can be refined by omitting age and including a white blood cell count > or = 10,000/mm3 (this variable was not tested by Radford), and changing the other categories to WHO PS > or = 2 (KP < or = 70), and four or more drugs. Within our data this revised model identified a high risk group of patients with an excess death rate of more than 15% in the second week after starting chemotherapy. Radford et als' suggestion that high risk patients be given half doses of drugs at the first cycle should be tested in a randomised clinical trial.
Authors: S G Spiro; R M Rudd; R L Souhami; J Brown; D J Fairlamb; N H Gower; L Maslove; R Milroy; V Napp; M K B Parmar; M D Peake; R J Stephens; H Thorpe; D A Waller; P West Journal: Thorax Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 9.139
Authors: M E R O'Brien; A Borthwick; A Rigg; A Leary; L Assersohn; K Last; S Tan; S Milan; D Tait; I E Smith Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2006-12-18 Impact factor: 7.640