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Cisplatin, continuous‐infusion 5‐fluorouracil, and intermediate‐dose methotrexate in the treatment of unresectable non‐small cell carcinoma of the lung
Author(s) -
Wheeler Catherine A.,
Shulman Lawrence N.,
Come Steven E.,
Schnipper Lowell E.,
Ervin Thomas
Publication year - 1991
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(19910215)67:4<892::aid-cncr2820670406>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - medicine , mucositis , fluorouracil , methotrexate , chemotherapy , regimen , cisplatin , neutropenia , gastroenterology , progressive disease , surgery , adverse effect , carcinoma , bolus (digestion)
Forty‐one patients with unresectable non‐small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCCL) were treated with cisplatin 20 mg/m 2 /d for 5 days as a daily bolus injection, 5‐fluorouracil 800 mg/m 2 /d by continuous infusion for 5 days, and intermediate‐dose methotrexate 200 mg/m 2 on days 15 and 22 of a 28‐day cycle (PFM). One complete and 23 partial responses were observed, yielding an overall response rate of 60%. There was no significant difference in response rates based on histologic subtype or extent of disease (locally unresectable versus metastatic). Median duration of response was 6 months, and the median survival of all patients was 10 months. Two patients with unresectable disease at presentation became resectable after chemotherapy and remain disease‐free at 46+ and 53+ months. Toxicity was modest, with oral mucositis the major adverse effect. Clinically important neutropenia was uncommon. PFM is an active regimen in NSCCL and deserves further study in the “neoadjuvant” setting.