A prospective study of toxicity profile of cisplatin – etoposide combination chemotherapy in advanced non small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Platinum based combination doublet chemotherapy is an accepted standard of care for advanced NSCLC. Presently Cisplatin-Etoposide combination chemotherapy is most commonly used regimen for advanced NSCLC and the data regarding the toxicity profile of this regimen is scarce in south Indian population.

AIMS: To study the different types of toxicities seen in patients on Cisplatin–Etoposide regimen, to assess the severity of toxicity by grading them according to the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) toxicity grading. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with chemotherapy-naive advanced NSCLC were enrolled between February 2008 and December 2009. Additional criteria included karnofsky performance status ³60, and adequate organ function. Patients received Cisplatin 80 mg/m² iv on days 1 and 2 with Etoposide 100mg/ m² on days 1to 3 of consecutive 21 days cycle. Such 6 cycles were given.

RESULTS: Haematological toxicities of grade 3 or 4 included leukopenia (52%) and anemia(2%). Non-hematological toxicities OF GRADE 2 included Nausea (68%), Vomiting (12%), and alopecia (100%).

CONCLUSION: The most prevalent toxicities observed were leukopenia, nausea, vomiting and alopecia

Key words: Cisplatin – Etoposide, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Toxicity