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Benefits of polychemotherapy in advanced non‐small‐cell bronchogenic carcinoma
Author(s) -
Cormier Yvon,
Bergeron Dollard,
La Forge Jacques,
Lavandier Michel,
Fournier Marcien,
Chenard Jacques,
Desmeules Marc
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19820901)50:5<845::aid-cncr2820500507>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchogenic carcinoma , carcinoma , oncology , radiology , general surgery
The benefits of polychemotherapy in advanced (Stage III) non‐small‐cell bronchogenic carcinoma remain uncertain. In attempt to answer the important question whether treatment improves well‐being and survival in these patients, we did a prospective, randomized, single‐blind study to compare polychemotherapy to a placebo. Thirty‐nine consecutive patients were enrolled. Twenty received a drug combination consisting of: methotrexate, doxorubicine hydrochloride (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, and lomustine (CCNU) (MACC). The other group (19 subjects) received a placebo physically comparable to MACC. The two groups were initially comparable in terms of age, sex, clinical status, and tumor burden. In the treated group, seven patients had a radiologic response (more than 50% reduction in the tumor size), and the tumor stabilized in an additional five subjects. There were no responders in the placebo group. Median survival was 30.5 weeks for the MACC group compared to 8.5 weeks in the placebo group ( P < 0.0005, Gehan‐Wilcoxon). We conclude that polychemotherapy (in this case MACC) significantly benefits patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer.