Abstract
Four patients with untreated lung cancer were initially treated with high-dose combination chemotherapy. Three patients with small cell carcinoma were treated with 2 courses of cyclophosphamide (1.4 g/m2), adriamycin (60 mg/m2), nimustine (90 mg/m2), and vincristine (2 mg). One patient with large cell carcinoma was treated with 5 courses of cyclophosphamide (1000 mg, day 1, 8), adriamycin (40 mg, day 1, 8), methotrexate (25 mg, day 1, 8), and procarbazine (200 mg, day 1-10). To ameliorate hematopoietic toxicity, autologous bone marrow cells collected and cryopreserved prior to treatment were reinfused on day 3 or 4 in three patients with small cell carcinoma or on day 9 in one patient with large cell carcinoma, respectively. All four patients achieved a partial response. In two patients with small cell carcinoma the response duration was 24 weeks and the survival time was 57 and 35 weeks, respectively. These results were similar to those of other conventional chemotherapeutic regimens. In the patient with large cell carcinoma, the response duration was 26 weeks and the survival time was 54 weeks. Non-hematological side effects included a febrile episode in two patients and interstitial pneumonitis in one. The indications and problems in high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation were discussed.
