Combination chemotherapy with vincristine, adriamycin, and procarbazine in previously treated patients with small cell carcinoma
Cohen, M.H.; Broder, L.E.; Fossieck, B.E.; Bull, M.; Ihde, D.C.; Minna, J.D.
Cancer Treatment Reports 61(3): 485-487
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0361-5960 PMID: 194693 Document Number: 110493
VAP and methotrexate chemotherapy. As in other small cell studies, the best responses were seen in patients with smaller tumor burdens and patients with better performance scores. Thus, 86% of the patients with small tumor burdens responded vs. a 40% response rate in patients with more extensive disease. For ambulatory patients the response rate was 70% vs. 25% for nonambulatory patients. The toxicity of this regimen was predictable from the known toxicities of the component drugs. Somewhat unexpected, although previously reported, was the development of adynamic ileus after a single dose (2 mg) of vincristine in 2 patients and after 2 vincristine doses in the 3rd. Two of the 3 patients manifesting this toxicity were bedridden at the start of treatment. Procarbazine-related gastrointestinal toxicity required dose modification or discontinuation of therapy in 4 patients. One patient developed an acute brain syndrome while receiving procarbazine.