Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of the National Medical Association logoLink to Journal of the National Medical Association
letter
. 1985 Oct;77(10):815–827.

Update in Cancer Chemotherapy, Part III: Lung Cancer, Part 1

Jane C Wright
PMCID: PMC2571176  PMID: 2414458

Abstract

An update in cancer chemotherapy that deals with the various therapies of lung cancer is described. At present, the stage of the disease and cell type are the major factors that determine the treatment. Important differences in the biological behavior and response to treatment exist between small cell and non-small cell cancers. The small cell type is sensitive to many chemotherapeutic agents. Differences in response to chemotherapy and survival have been less among the non-small cell types.

The treatment of non-small cell carcinomas including squamous cell, large cell, and adenocarcinoma are reviewed in Part I of this paper. Small cell lung cancer will be described in Part II, which will be published in a future issue of the journal.

Full text

PDF
817

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Bearden J. D., 3rd, Coltman C. A., Jr, Moon T. E., Costanzi J. J., Saiki J. H., Balcerzak S. P., Rivkin S. E., Morrison F. S., Lane M., Spigel S. C. Combination chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and prednisone in solid tumors. Cancer. 1977 Jan;39(1):21–26. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197701)39:1<21::aid-cncr2820390105>3.0.co;2-i. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bitran J. D., Desser R. K., DeMeester T. R., Colman M., Evans R., Billings A., Griem M., Rubenstein L., Shapiro C., Golomb H. M. Cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, methotrexate, and procarbazine (CAMP)--effective four-drug combination chemotherapy for metastatic non-oat cell bronchogenic carcinoma. Cancer Treat Rep. 1976 Sep;60(9):1225–1230. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bodey G. P., Lagakos S. W., Gutierrez A. C., Wilson H. E., Selawry O. S. Therapy of advanced squamous carcinoma of the lung: cyclophosphamide vesus "COMB". Cancer. 1977 Mar;39(3):1026–1031. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197703)39:3<1026::aid-cncr2820390305>3.0.co;2-p. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Britell J. C., Eagan R. T., Ingle J. N., Creagen E. T., Rubin J., Frytak S. cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) alone followed by adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide at progression versus cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II), adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide in combination for adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1978 Aug;62(8):1207–1210. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Butler T. P., MacDonald J. S., Smith F. P., Smith L. F., Woolley P. V., Schein P. S. 5-Fluorouracil, adriamycin, and mitomycin-C (FAM) chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cancer. 1979 Apr;43(4):1183–1188. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197904)43:4<1183::aid-cncr2820430404>3.0.co;2-z. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Chahinian A. P., Mandel E. M., Holland J. F., Jaffrey I. S., Teirstein A. S. MACC (methotrexate, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and CCNU) in advanced lung cancer. Cancer. 1979 May;43(5):1590–1597. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197905)43:5<1590::aid-cncr2820430504>3.0.co;2-o. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Chahinian P. A., Arnold D. J., Cohen J. M., Purpora D. P., Jaffrey I. S., Teirstein A. S., Kirschner P. A., Holland J. F. Chemotherapy for bronchogenic carcinoma. Methotrexate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and lomustine. JAMA. 1977 May 30;237(22):2392–2396. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Cohen M. H. Is immediate radiation therapy indicated for patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer? No. Cancer Treat Rep. 1983 Apr;67(4):333–336. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Cox J. D., Komaki R., Byhardt R. W. Is immediate chest radiotherapy obligatory for any or all patients with limited-stage non-small cell carcinoma of the lung? Yes. Cancer Treat Rep. 1983 Apr;67(4):327–331. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Davis S., Rambotti P., Park Y. K. Combination cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) chemotherapy for extensive non-small cell carcinomas of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1981 Nov-Dec;65(11-12):955–958. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. De Jager R., Longeval E., Klastersky J. High-dose cisplatin with fluid and mannitol-induced diuresis in advanced lung cancer: a phase II clinical trial of the EORTC Lung Cancer Working Party (Belgium). Cancer Treat Rep. 1980;64(12):1341–1346. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Eagan R. T., Frytak S., Creagan E. T., Ingle J. N., Kvols L. K., Coles D. T. Phase II study of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) by infusion in patients with adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1979 Sep-Oct;63(9-10):1589–1591. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Eagan R. T., Frytak S., Nichols W. C., Ingle J. N., Creagan E. T., Kvols L. K., Coles D. T. Evaluation of VP-16-213, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (V-CAP) in advanced large cell lung cancer. Cancer Treat Rep. 1981 Jul-Aug;65(7-8):715–717. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Eagan R. T., Ingle J. N., Creagan E. T., Frytak S., Kvols L. K., Rubin J., McMachon R. T. VP-16-213 chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1978 May;62(5):843–844. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Eagan R. T., Ingle J. N., Frytak S., Rubin J., Kvols L. K., Carr D. T., Coles D. T., O'Fallon J. R. Platinum-based polychemotherapy versus dianhydrogalactitol in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Treat Rep. 1977 Oct;61(7):1339–1345. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Eagan R. T., Lee R. E., Frytak S., Scott M., Ingle J. N., Creagan E. T., Nichols W. C. Thoracic radiation therapy and Adriamycin/cisplatin-containing chemotherapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Clin Trials. 1981 Winter;4(4):381–388. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Evans W. K., Feld R., DeBoer G., Osoba D., Curtis J. E., Baker M. A., Myers R. E., Quirt I. C., Pritchard K. I., Brown T. C. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in the treatment of non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. Cancer Treat Rep. 1981 Nov-Dec;65(11-12):947–954. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Fraile R. J., Samson M. K., Baker L. H., Talley R. W. Combination chemotherapy with mitomycin C, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide in advanced adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1979 Nov-Dec;63(11-12):1983–1987. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Goldhirsch A., Joss R. A., Cavalli F., Sonntag R. W., Brunner K. W. Cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) and VP 16-213 combination chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1981;9(3):205–208. doi: 10.1002/mpo.2950090302. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Gralla R. J., Casper E. S., Kelsen D. P., Braun D. W., Jr, Dukeman M. E., Martini N., Young C. W., Golbey R. B. Cisplatin and vindesine combination chemotherapy for advanced carcinoma of the lung: A randomized trial investigating two dosage schedules. Ann Intern Med. 1981 Oct;95(4):414–420. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-95-4-414. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Gralla R. J., Cvitkovic E., Golbey R. B. cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) in non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1979 Sep-Oct;63(9-10):1585–1588. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Gralla R. J., Cvitkovic E., Golbey R. B. cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) in non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1979 Sep-Oct;63(9-10):1585–1588. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Gralla R. J., Raphael B. G., Golbey R. B., Young C. W. Phase II evaluation of vindesine in patients with non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1979 Aug;63(8):1343–1346. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Hilaris B. S., Nori D., Beattie E. J., Jr, Martini N. Value of perioperative brachytherapy in the management of non-oat cell carcinoma of the lung. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1983 Aug;9(8):1161–1166. doi: 10.1016/0360-3016(83)90174-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Itri L. M., Gralla R. J., Chapman R. A., Kelsen D. P., Casper E. S., Golbey R. B. Phase II trial of VP-16-213 in non-small-cell lung cancer. Am J Clin Oncol. 1982 Feb;5(1):45–47. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Jett J. R., Cortese D. A., Fontana R. S. Lung cancer: current concepts and prospects. CA Cancer J Clin. 1983 Mar-Apr;33(2):74–86. doi: 10.3322/canjclin.33.2.74. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Knost J. A., Greco F. A., Hande K. R., Richardson R. L., Fer M. F., Oldham R. K. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Treat Rep. 1981 Nov-Dec;65(11-12):941–945. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Lad T., Sarma P. R., Diekamp U., Tichler T., Chawla M., Krauss S., Zawila P., Nelson R. "CAMP" combination chemotherapy for unresectable non-oat cell bronchogenic carcinoma. Cancer Clin Trials. 1979 Winter;2(4):321–326. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Livingston R. B., Fee W. H., Einhorn L. H., Burgess M. A., Freireich E. J., Gottlieb J. A., Farber M. O. BACON (bleomycin, adriamycin, CCNU, oncovin and nitrogen mustard) in squamous lung cancer. Experience in fifty patients. Cancer. 1976 Mar;37(3):1237–1242. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197603)37:3<1237::aid-cncr2820370302>3.0.co;2-z. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Livingston R. B., Helibrun L., Lehane D., Costanzi J. J., Bottomley R., Palmer R. L., Stuckey W. J., Hoogstraten B. Comparative trial of combination chemotherapy in extensive squamous carcinoma of the lung: a Southwest Oncology Group Study. Cancer Treat Rep. 1977 Dec;61(9):1623–1629. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Longeval E., Klastersky J. Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide in bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. A study by the EORTC lung cancer working party (Belgium). Cancer. 1982 Dec 15;50(12):2751–2756. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19821215)50:12<2751::aid-cncr2820501210>3.0.co;2-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Luedke S. L., Luedke D. W., Petruska P., Broun G. O., Reed G., Leavitt J. Vindesine (VDS) monochemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a report of 45 cases. Cancer Treat Rep. 1982 Jun;66(6):1409–1411. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. McKneally M. F., Maver C., Kausel H. W. Regional immunotherapy of lung cancer with intrapleural B.C.G. Lancet. 1976 Feb 21;1(7956):377–379. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)90212-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Melamed M. R., Flehinger B. J., Zaman M. B., Heelan R. T., Hallerman E. T., Martini N. Detection of true pathologic stage I lung cancer in a screening program and the effect on survival. Cancer. 1981 Mar 1;47(5 Suppl):1182–1187. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19810301)47:5+<1182::aid-cncr2820471322>3.0.co;2-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Miller T. P., McMahon L. J., Livingston R. B. Extensive adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung treated with 5-FU, vincristine, and mitomycin C (FOMi). Cancer Treat Rep. 1980;64(12):1241–1245. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Miller T. P., Weick J. K., Grozea P. N., Carlin D. A. Extensive adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung treated with 5-FU, vindesine, and mitomycin (FEMi): a Southwest Oncology Group Study. Cancer Treat Rep. 1982 Mar;66(3):553–556. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Osterlind K., Hørbov S., Dombernowsky P., Rørth M., Hansen H. H. Vindesine in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma of the lung. Cancer Treat Rep. 1982 Feb;66(2):305–309. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Piehler J. M., Pairolero P. C., Weiland L. H., Offord K. P., Payne W. S., Bernatz P. E. Bronchogenic carcinoma with chest wall invasion: factors affecting survival following en bloc resection. Ann Thorac Surg. 1982 Dec;34(6):684–691. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)60909-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Rosi D. R., Nogeire C., Brown B., Ali M., Ewer M., Samuels M. 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, and mitomycin-C (Hi-FAM) chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cancer. 1981 Jul 1;48(1):21–25. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19810701)48:1<21::aid-cncr2820480106>3.0.co;2-b. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Roswit B., Patno M. E., Rapp R., Veinbergs A., Feder B., Stuhlbarg J., Reid C. B. The survival of patients with inoperable lung cancer: a large-scale randomized study of radiation therapy versus placebo. Radiology. 1968 Apr;90(4):688–697. doi: 10.1148/90.4.688. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Ruckdeschel J. C., Mehta C. R., Salazar O. M., Creech R. H., Sponzo R. W. Chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma: EST 2575, generation III, HAM versus CAMP. Cancer Treat Rep. 1981 Nov-Dec;65(11-12):959–963. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Sherman D. M., Neptune W., Weichselbaum R., Order S. E., Piro A. J. An aggressive approach to marginally resectable lung cancer. Cancer. 1978 May;41(5):2040–2045. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197805)41:5<2040::aid-cncr2820410552>3.0.co;2-i. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Shields T. W., Higgins G. A., Jr, Lawton R., Heilbrunn A., Keehn R. J. Preoperative x-ray therapy as an adjuvant in the treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1970 Jan;59(1):49–61. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Surgical adjuvant intrapleural BCG treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Preliminary report of the National Cancer Institute Lung Cancer Study Group. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1981 Nov;82(5):649–657. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Vincent R. G., Pickren J. W., Fergen T. B., Takita H. Evaluation of methotrexate in the treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma. Cancer. 1975 Sep;36(3):873–880. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197509)36:3<873::aid-cncr2820360308>3.0.co;2-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Vogelzang N. J., Peterson B. A., Kennedy B. J., Vosika G. J., Conroy J. A. Vindesine in bronchogenic carcinoma: a phase II trial. Am J Clin Oncol. 1982 Feb;5(1):41–44. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Vogl S. E., Berenzweig M., Camacho F., Greenwald E., Kaplan B. H. Efficacy study of intensive cis-platin therapy in advanced non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. Cancer. 1982 Jul 1;50(1):24–26. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19820701)50:1<24::aid-cncr2820500106>3.0.co;2-r. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Vogl S. E., Mehta C. R., Cohen M. H. MACC chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma and epidermoid carcinoma of the lung: low response rate in a Cooperative Group Study. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Cancer. 1979 Sep;44(3):864–868. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197909)44:3<864::aid-cncr2820440311>3.0.co;2-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. WATSON W. L. Carcinoma of the lung with five-year survival; a study of 3,000 cases. J Int Coll Surg. 1956 Dec;26(6):750–754. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. WOLF J. CONTROLLED STUDIES OF THE THERAPY OF NONRESECTABLE CANCER OF THE LUNG. I. METHODOLOGY. Ann Thorac Surg. 1965 Jan;1:25–32. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)66718-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Warram J. Preoperative irradiation of cancer of the lung: final report of a therapeutic trial. A collaborative study. Cancer. 1975 Sep;36(3):914–925. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197509)36:3<914::aid-cncr2820360312>3.0.co;2-q. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Watson W. L. The James Ewing lecture. Looking at lung cancer. Cancer. 1973 Jan;31(1):6–9. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197301)31:1<6::aid-cncr2820310102>3.0.co;2-r. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Williams D. E., Pairolero P. C., Davis C. S., Bernatz P. E., Payne W. S., Taylor W. F., Uhlenhopp M. A., Fontana R. S. Survival of patients surgically treated for stage I lung cancer. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1981 Jul;82(1):70–76. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Woodcock T. M., Blumenreich M. S., Richman S. P., Kubota T. T., Gentile P. S., Allegra J. C. Combination chemotherapy with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and vinblastine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1983 Apr;1(4):247–250. doi: 10.1200/JCO.1983.1.4.247. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of the National Medical Association are provided here courtesy of National Medical Association

RESOURCES