VINCRISTINE (NSC-67574) IN TREATMENT OF SMALL-CELL ANAPLASTIC CARCINOMA OF LUNG

Abstract

In a phase II trial the effect of vincristine as a single agent was evaluated in patients with small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung. The dosage of vincristine was 1.5 mg/m2 per wk given i.v. for 4 wk followed by 1.5 mg/m2 given every other week with dose modifications according to neurologic tolerance. Nineteen of 27 patients included in the study were evaluable. Objective response was observed in 8 patients (42%) including 3 who were not previously treated and 5 who were previously treated. The median duration of response was 60 days (range, 21-182 days) with the response always occurring within 4 wk. Vincristine is apparently an active agent for small-cell anaplastic carcinoma without cross resistance to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea, cyclophosphamide or methotrexate.