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Carboplatin Use Allows Outpatient Chemotherapy For Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Replacing cisplatin with carboplatin in platinum-based combination chemotherapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma allows the therapy to be conducted on an outpatient basis.

Platinum-based combination therapy is an important palliative treatment in the management of non-small cell lung carcinoma patients. Response rates are often in the range of 30 to 40 percent and symptom relief is up to 60 percent.

A common combination is mitomycin C, vinblastine and cisplatin. This combination often requires an overnight hospital stay because of the hydration regimen and the age and performance status of the patients.

Researchers from Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, United Kingdom investigated a possible outpatient regimen in 43 patients with stage IIIb and stage IV non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Such a regimen "would be beneficial to patients and could result in substantial economic benefits," according to the investigators.

Patients underwent an outpatient regimen of mitomycin C, vinblastine and carboplatin.

Overall objective response rate was 30 percent and symptomatic response rate was 60 percent. These results were equivalent to results seen in a comparable group of patients who had been treated with mitomycin C, vinblastine and cisplatin.

The investigators conclude that the carboplatin regimen "provides and acceptable outpatient alternative" to inpatient therapy using cisplatin.
Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2001; 13(6): 483-487. "Mitomycin C, Vinblastine and Carboplatin: Effective Outpatient Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung (NSCLC)"

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