Trial of heparin and cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) in the treatment of lung cancer.

Preliminary reports have suggested that heparin may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy for lung cancer. The VALCSG initiated a study to evaluate further the efficacy and feasibility of administering a heparin and chemotherapy regimen. Treatment consisted of continuous iv heparin infusion for 48--72 hours followed by iv administration of cyclophosphamide (1100 mg/m2) and continued treatment with heparin and warfarin. Only one of the 19 patients (5%) with nonresectable or metastatic lung cancer showed evidence of objective tumor response. This indicated no benefit from the addition of heparin. The study also revealed some of the limitations and problems of such a treatment program.