Combination chemotherapy-radiotherapy with and without the methanol-extraction residue of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (MER) in small cell carcinoma of the lung: a prospective randomized trial of the Piedmont Oncology Association

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19820701)50:1<48::AID-CNCR2820500110>3.0.CO;2-U· OSTI ID:5028726

Jackson, D V ^[1]; Paschal, B R; Ferree, C

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1. Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

The effect of addition of the nonspecific immunostimulant, MER, to combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in small cell carcinoma of the lung was evaluated in a prospective randomized trial involving 102 evaluable patients. Chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, vincristine, methotrexate, and CCNU; and radiotherapy was administered to the primary lesion, mediastinum, supraclavicular areas, and whole brain. Of 47 patients administered MER 400 mcg intradermally every six weeks, 12 (26%) attained complete remission with a median survival of 22.9 months. Complete remission was observed in 17 (31%) of 55 patients who received no MER with a median survival of 20.0 months (p > 0.05). Survival greater than or equal to 2 years has been observed in five patients who received MER and two patients who did not receive MER. The response rate and duration, survival, and toxicity of the two treatment arms were similar with the exception of cutaneous and occasional systemic reaction to MER. MER as used in this study has not influenced the overall results of a combined modality treatment program for patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung.

• OSTI ID: 5028726
• Journal Information: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Journal Name: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States) Vol. 50:1; ISSN CANCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALOIDS
ALKYLATING AGENTS
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
ANTIMETABOLITES
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CARCINOMAS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHEMOTHERAPY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOXORUBICIN
DRUGS
ENDOXAN
ESOPHAGUS
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
IMMUNITY
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS
INFLAMMATION
IRRADIATION
LUNGS
MEDICINE
METHOTREXATE
MICROORGANISMS
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NITROSO COMPOUNDS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARTIAL BODY IRRADIATION
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SIDE EFFECTS
SKIN
STIMULATION
SURVIVAL TIME
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY