Comparison of short-term efficacy between the NP and VIP regimens in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Objective To compare the short-term therapeutic efficacy,toxicity and side reactions between norelbine plus cisplatin(NP regimen)and etoposide plus ifosfamide and cisplatine(VIP regimen)in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cnacer(NSCLC).Methods Eifty-three patients with cytologically and pathologically confirmed NSCLC were divided into two groups(A and B).Twenty-two cases in the A group received NE regimen chemotherapy.Thirty-one cases in the B group received VIP regimen chemotherapy.Both regimens were repeated after a cycle of 21 days.Results Response rates were 50.0%(A group)and 41.9%(B group) respectively for NP and VIP regimens(P=1.43).The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppresion which was seen in both groups.Gastrointestinal reaction and local phlebitis were also observed.The rates of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ leukopemia were 18.2%(A group) and 45.2%(B group) and local rates of phlebitis were 40.9%(A group)and 3.2%(B group),with statistical difference between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusion The therapeutic effectiveness of NP regimen was similar to that of VIP regimen,but the myelosuppression of NP regimen was milder than that of VIP regimen,so norelbin plus cisplatine may be used as first line chemotherapy for NSCLC.