ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy is currently considered to be the most active treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ultimate prognosis still remains poor. More effective cytotoxic agents are needed to improve outcom of these patients. We evaluated the efficacy and safty of combination chemotherapy with vinorelbine and ifosfamide in patients with advanced NSCLC. METHODS: Thirty-three chemotherapy-nave patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were treated with vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 on days 1 & 8 and ifosfamide 2 g/m2 on days 1, 2 & 3 with mesna every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Among thirty evaluable patients who received the vinorelbine/ifosfamide combination chemotherapy, nine (30%) partial responses were observed. With median follow-up duration of 80weeks, the median response duration and overall survival durations were 23 weeks and 38 weeks respectively. World Health Organization grade 3 to 4 neutropenia and anemia occured in 5% and 4.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: Combination chemotherapy with vinorelbine and ifosfamide is an effective treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC with a manageable toxicity.