Phase II study of N‐methylformamide, spirogermanium, and 4‐demethoxydaunorubicin in the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (EST 3583): An Eastern cooperative oncology group study

Abstract

One hundred forty‐four patients with non‐small cell lung cancer, the majority (72%) of whom had received previous chemotherapy, were evaluable in this randomized phase II study of N‐methylformamide (N‐MF), spirogermanium, and 4‐demethoxydaunorubicin. There were two partial responses, one each with spirogermanium and 4‐demethoxydaunorubicin. There were eight life‐threatening complications (mostly hematologic) and two lethal complications (N‐MF, hematologic; 4‐demethoxydaunorubicin, gastrointestinal). The overall survival ranged from 9 days to 533 days with a median of 17.6 weeks. The following factors were associated with poor survival: Poor initial performance status, prior weight loss, presence of liver or subcutaneous metastases.