Weekly Dose-Dense Cisplatin-Epirubicin-Paclitaxel Administration with Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Support Does Not Substantially Improve Prognosis in Extensive Disease Small-Cell Lung Cancer A SICOG Phase II Study

Purpose: The present study was aimed at defining the antitumor activity of the cisplatin-epirubicin-paclitaxel (PET) weekly administration with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support in chemonaive small-cell lung cancer patients with extensive disease (ED-SCLC). Methods: Chemonaive ED-SCLC patients received cisplatin 30 mg/sqm, epirubicin 50 mg/sqm and paclitaxel 120 mg/sqm, weekly, with G-CSF (5 μg/kg from day 3 to 5) support, for a maximum of 12 weeks. Results: Thirty-nine patients were treated, for a total of 354 cycles delivered. Eight complete (21%), and 22 partial responses (56%) were recorded, giving a 77% (95% Cl = 61-89%) objective response rate (ORR). After 14 (rang…