Cisplatin, continuous‐infusion 5‐fluorouracil, and intermediate‐dose methotrexate in the treatment of unresectable non‐small cell carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Forty‐one patients with unresectable non‐small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCCL) were treated with cisplatin 20 mg/m2/d for 5 days as a daily bolus injection, 5‐fluorouracil 800 mg/m2/d by continuous infusion for 5 days, and intermediate‐dose methotrexate 200 mg/m2 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. Copyright © 1991 American Cancer Society