VINDESINE IN THE TREATMENT OF SMALL CELL ANAPLASTIC BRONCHOGENIC-CARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (3-4) , 245-248
Abstract
The antineoplastic activity of vindesine was evaluated in a phase II trial in patients with small cell anaplastic bronchogenic carcinoma. All patients had been treated previously with vincristine, CCNU [1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea], cyclophosphamide, VP-16-213 [vepeside], methotrexate and doxorubicin. In some of the patients, the primary tumor had also been irradiated; some patients had received 5-FU [5-fluorouracil] or procarbazine. The dose of vindesine was 4 mg/m2 per weekly i.v., modified according to hematologic and neurologic side effects. Twenty-six of 32 patients included in the trial were evaluable. Objective response was observed in 7 patients (27%). The median duration of response was 35 days (range, 28-90), the response occurring within 14 days after initiation of treatment. Dose modification of vindesine was necessary in 80% of the patients because of hematologic toxicity; neurotoxicity made dose reductions necessary in about 1/2 of the patients. Vindesine apparently is active against small cell bronchogenic carcinoma, with apparent lack of clinical cross-resistance to vincristine in previously heavily treated patients.