ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Unresectable non-small cell lung cancer has a poor response to chemotherapy and has an unfortunate prognosis. More effective and less toxic cytotoxic agents are needed to improve the outcome of these pa tients. The efficacy and safety of vinorelbine monotherapy in these advanced lung cancer patients was evaluated. METHODS: Sixteen patients with non-small cell lung cancer in stage III or IV, who received vinorelbine alone as an intial anticancer chemotherapy from June 1996 to December 2000 were enrolled in this study. Vinorelbine was given intravenously at a dose 30mg/m2 every weel. RESULTS: Among the sixteen patients, six had a partial response (38%) and the median survival was 16 weeks. The median response duration was 27 weeks (95% CI 6-47), and the time to progression was 16 weeks (95% CI 6-26). Among a ttal of 112 cycles, neutropenia (WHO grade 3 or 4) and anemia (grade 3) occurred in 9% and 3%, respectively. Only 1 patients required hospitalization for neutropenic fever. Non-hematologic toxicity was monor and was easily controlled. CONCLUSION: Vinorelbine monotherapy was well tolerated, and moderatly effective in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anemia , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Cytotoxins , Drug Therapy , Fever , Hospitalization , Lung Neoplasms , Neutropenia , PrognosisABSTRACT
We report the case of a 32-year-old female who developed polymyositis associated with scrub typhus. She exhibited the eschar with high titer of anti-Rickettsia(R)-tsutsugamushi antibody, severe muscle weakness, markedly elevated serum levels of muscle enzymes, EMG changes, and infiltration of macrophages in a muscle biopsy specimen. Initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in complete healing of scrub typhus and disappearance of symptoms and signs of polymyositis within 1 month after high dose steroid therapy. We suggest that scrub typhus also be included within the causes of idiopathic inflammatory polymyositis.