Background: To evaluate the efficacy, side-effects, median survival duration and survival rate of vinorelbine (NVB) combined with cisplatin (DDP) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: A total of 220 patients with inoperable NSCLC received NVB and DDP combined chemotherapy: NVB 25-30 mg/(m²*d) on days 1 and 5 (or 8), DDP 60-80 mg/(m²*d) on day 2. The schedule was repeated every 28 days. The efficacy and side-effects were analysed and followed-up after at least two cycles of chemotherapy.
Results: The overall response rate (CR+PR) was 30.9% (68/220). The response rate was 31.3% (51/163) in initial treatment group, and 29.8% (17/57) in retreatment group. The median survival duration was 8.3 months. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 39.23%, 19.31% and 6.32%, respectively. The main side-effects were myelosuppression and digestive tract reactions.
Conclusions: Vinorelbine plus cisplatin is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for non small cell lung cancer and myelosuppression is its dose-limiting toxicity.