Vindesine-Ifosfamide-Platinum (VIP) chemotherapy in patients with inoperable stage III and IV non small cell lung cancer. A phase II trial

Between Sept. 1991 and Oct. 1993, 64 patients were enrolled in this multicenter study in order to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of a chemotherapy regimen, combining three active compounds while avoiding the pulmonary and other toxicity of mitomycin C. Vindesine 3 mg/m2 day 1 and 8, Ifosfamide 1200 mg/m2 and Platinum 30 mg/m2 day 1, 2 and 3 were given every 28 days. Response was evaluated each 2 courses, responders were continued until 6 courses. Patients characreristics mean age 57 y (37–70), histology squamous 19/adeno 16/large cell 8, metastatic disease in 27. Responses in 59 patients evaluable for response were as follows: total stage III stage IV CR 3 (5%) 2 (10%) 1 (3%) PR 22 (37%) 9 (43%) 13 (34%) SD 23 (39%) 6 (28%) 17 (45%) PD 11 (19%) 4 (19%) 7 (18%) WHO grade 3 & 4 toxicity scores were: anemia 6 pts, neutropenia 7 pts (4 gr. 4 infections), thrombopenia 5 pts, nausea 14 pts, alopecia 33 pts, neurotoxicity 3 pts and ototoxicity 1 pt. No > gr. 2 renal toxicity. Conclusion This VIP regimen is very active in this group of patients with moderate toxicity, and deserves further study as induction chemotherapy.