This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) eLetters: Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services E-mail this article link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints/Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brahmer, J. R. Articles by Ettinger, D. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brahmer, J. R. Articles by Ettinger, D. S.

Carboplatin in the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Correspondence: David S. Ettinger, M.D., F.A.C.P., Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-8936, USA. Telephone: 410-955-8847; Fax: 410-614-9424; e-mail: ettinger{at}welchlink.welch.jhu.edu

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) will account for approximately 20%-25% of the 171,500 estimated new lung cancer cases in 1998. Combination cytotoxic therapies have yielded the best response rates in SCLC patients. Cisplatin in combination with etoposide is used routinely in the treatment of SCLC. Because of cisplatin's nonhematologic toxicities, carboplatin was developed and has far fewer nonhematologic toxicities. Carboplatin in combination with etoposide has been shown to be as effective as, but less toxic than, cisplatin/etoposide. Moreover, carboplatin/etoposide is a viable combination in the treatment of the elderly with SCLC, who can readily tolerate this combination. Concurrent radiation therapy with carboplatin and etoposide in patients with limited SCLC disease can be given safely and effectively. Carboplatin has been combined with several different chemotherapeutic agents, including ifosfamide, and, more recently, paclitaxel in hopes of improving the response rates and overall survival. In order to try to dose intensify carboplatin-based regimens, peripheral blood stem cells have been used to decrease the hematologic toxicities. Further studies are warranted to investigate these therapies as well as newer carboplatin combinations.

Key Words. Carboplatin • Small cell lung cancer • Extensive disease • Limited disease

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. R. Simon and A. Turrisi Management of Small Cell Lung Cancer: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition) Chest, September 1, 2007; 132(3_suppl): 324S - 339S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. R. Simon and H. Wagner Small Cell Lung Cancer Chest, January 1, 2003; 123(1_suppl): 259S - 271S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. G. Spiro and J. C. Porter Lung Cancer--Where Are We Today?: Current Advances in Staging and Nonsurgical Treatment Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., November 1, 2002; 166(9): 1166 - 1196. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]