Activity of gemcitabine and carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II trial.

This phase II trial was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of gemcitabine combined with carboplatin in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Patients were treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle and carboplatin AUC 5 mg/ml/min on day 2 of each cycle. Fifty patients (Zubrod-ECOG-WHO performance status 0/1 in 70/30%, stage IV disease in 64%) entered the study and were evaluable for response and toxicity.

Phase-II randomized study of pre-operative IL-2 administration in operable NSCLC.

Lymphocytopenia is a prognostic factor for shorter survival in advanced lung cancer and it is likely related to an interleukin-2 (IL-2) deficiency occurring during cancer progression. Major surgery itself for cancer is known to induce lymphocytopenia in the postoperative period. Postoperative lymphocyte decrease in colorectal cancer can be prevented by preoperative administration of recombinant human (rhIL-2), indicating that it is possible to drive appropriately important host defence agents during critical events, such as major surgery.

Intrapleural administration of recombinant interleukin-2 in non-small cell lung cancer with neoplastic pleural effusion.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of intrapleural administration of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) for treatment of malignant pleural effusions. From May 1993 to May 1995, 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cytologically documented malignant pleural effusion entered the study. After complete needle drainage of the effusion, a dose of 9 x 10(6) international units (IU) rhIL-2 was injected intracavitarily.

Clinical and bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis.

Clinical and bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis were retrospectively investigated in 24 patients. A barking cough was the most frequent chief complaint in 50% of patients. The typical apico-subclavian localization of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults was found in only 50% of patients; in one patient the lung fields were clear.

Efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine-carboplatin combination in the treatment of advanced adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Aims And Background: The aim of the study was to assess the activity and toxicity of the vinorelbine-carboplatin combination in advanced adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma of the lung. The new vinca derivative, vinorelbine, shows promising activity when combined with cisplatin, but toxicity of the combination is substantial.

Methods: Accordingly, we substituted carboplatin for cisplatin in the combination in order to improve the therapeutic index.