A phase II trial of mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil and radiation therapy in the treatment of unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

Oncol Res. 1993;5(2):53-7.

Abstract

We conducted a study evaluating the efficacy of simultaneous administration of 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, and X-irradiation in unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Radiation was delivered in a split course to a total of 55 Gy. In the first course, radiation was administered daily in 250 cGy fractions for 12 treatments. Following a two week rest, an additional 10 treatments of 200 cGy fractions were delivered. Chemotherapy consisted of 10 mg/M2 of mitomycin C on day 1, and 1000 mg/M2 per day of 5-fluorouracil by continuous infusion on days 1 through 5 and 29 through 33. Twenty-one enrolled patients were evaluable. The overall response rate was 52% (95% confidence intervals 31-73%), with a median duration of response of 42 weeks. There were 5 complete responders (24%) and four of these patients remain disease-free with follow-up between 24-54 months. The median survival time for all patients was 59 weeks. For the complete responders the median survival time has not yet been reached, but is in excess of 42 months. Toxicity consisted of moderate stomatitis and myelosuppression. The sustained remissions obtained by 4 of 21 patients (18%) treated with concurrent mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil and x-irradiation are encouraging and deserve further study.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitomycin / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Mitomycin
  • Fluorouracil