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Efficacy of ifosfamide and VP-16 (etoposide) in patients with small cell lung cancer and the correlation between microvessel count on chemosensitivity

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Chinese Journal of Cancer Research

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of ifosfamide and etoposide (VP-16) in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and investigate the correlation between microvessel count (MVC) in tumor and chemotherapeutic sensitivity.

Methods

Forty-one consecutive cases of SCLC received chemotherapy of ifosfamide plus VP-16, and underwent investigation retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry using anti-human blood type H monoclonal antibody was conducted and MVC was recorded under light microscope.

Results

There were 27 limited-disease and 14 extensive-disease patients. The overall response rate was 92.7% (38/41) with 28 cases (68.3%) of complete response (CR), 10 (24.4%) with partial response (PR), 3 (7.3%) with progressive disease (PD). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 68.3% (28/41), 48.3% (20/41), 23.7% (9/38) and 11.1% (3/27), respectively, with the median survival of 26.8 months. The principal toxicities were grade 3–4 neutropenia in 8 cases (19.5%), grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia in 6 cases (14.6%), mild liver toxicity in 7 cases (17.0%) and mild renal function damage in 4 cases (9.8%). The mesenchymal vasculature was clearly visualized, with the mean value of 34.7 under each high microscopic power field. Of SCLC with more MVC (n=26), CR accounted for 84.6%; while in cancers with less MVC (n=15), CR took up 40.0%, with significant difference (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Administrating ifosfamide and VP-16 is in accordance with the biological features of SCLC and results in beneficial results as well as acceptable side effects. The MVC is positively correlated with the chemotherapeutic sensitivity, and serves as a vital factor contributing to chemosensitivity.

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Correspondence to Liu Hong-xu  (刘宏旭).

Additional information

Foundation item: This work was supported by a grant from the Education Department of P.R.China (No. 2004[527]).

Biography: WANG Si-wen(1959–), female, associate professor, Fourth Hospital, China Medical University, majors in basic and clinical research on lung cancer.

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Wang, Sw., Liu, Hx. & Li, Y. Efficacy of ifosfamide and VP-16 (etoposide) in patients with small cell lung cancer and the correlation between microvessel count on chemosensitivity. Chin. J. Cancer Res. 18, 116–120 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11670-006-0116-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11670-006-0116-8

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