Efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy with mitomycin and vinorelbine for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy, toxicity and tolerability of chemotherapy with a combination of mitomycin and vinorelbine (M/V) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We enrolled 110 patients (median age 67 years) with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, who had no prior chemotherapy or progressive disease after at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. 45 patients (41%) were >= 70 years old. All patients received vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) (d1,8) and mitomycin 8 mg/m(2) (d1) every 3-4 weeks. Restaging was performed by CT-scan after every two courses M/V according to RECIST criteria. Results: M/V was well tolerated, even in patients with a poor performance status or >= 70 years Median progression free survival was 4.4 months. Median overall survival was 9.0 months with a 1-year survival rate of 39%. Partial response was observed in 15% and stable disease in 51 % of patients. Both hematological and non-hematological toxicities were generally mild. CTC grade 3 toxicities observed included neutropenia in 3%, anemia in 3%, thrombocytopenia in 1% and suspected pneumonitis in 2% of patients. Except neutropenia in 2% and acute dyspnea in 1%, there were no other grade 4 toxicities and no treatment associated casualties. There was no relevant difference in outcome or toxicity between patients >= 70 and <70 years. Conclusions: M/V seems to be a well-tolerated and effective chemotherapy regimen with low toxicity in patients with advanced NSCLC. It seems to be an interesting option even for patients >= 70 years or with a reduced performance status. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.