[Use of etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin (EIP) for treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer].

Recent studies have pointed out that chemotherapy can prolong life in advanced inoperable cancer patients. A clinical study to evaluate response and toxicity of the combination of etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin (EIP) in the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer was performed. 25 patients entered the study. Treatment consisted of etoposide 120 mg/m2 given i.v. on days 1-3, ifosfamide 1.5 g/m2 given i.v. on days 1-5 with mesna protection and cisplatin 20 mg/m2 given i.v. on days 1-5. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks for a maximum of 6 in responders. 16 (64%) patients responded to treatment, 13 (52%) reached partial and 3 (12%) complete remission. In two recurrent cases second remission was achieved after reinstitution of the EIP regimen. Median survival time was 13 months (range 7-48 months) for responders and 5 months (range 2-11 months) for non-responders. Overall treatment was well tolerated with granulocytopenia being the most frequent toxicity. The results are encouraging for further investigations. Application of higher doses of ifosfamide with colony stimulating factors protection is planned.