Sacramento,
California
95817
Purpose:
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing
so they stop growing or die. It is not yet known if topotecan is more effective given by
infusion or by mouth.
PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of topotecan given by
infusion with that of topotecan given by mouth in treating patients who have small cell lung
cancer that has relapsed following previous therapy.
Study summary:
OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the response rate, response duration, time to response, time to
progression, and survival of patients with relapsed limited or extensive stage small cell
lung cancer treated with oral vs intravenous topotecan. II. Compare the qualitative and
quantitative toxicities of these treatment regimens in this patient population. III. Compare
the quality of life in these patients.
OUTLINE: This is randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to gender,
liver metastases (yes vs no), and duration of response to prior chemotherapy (6 months or
less vs greater than 6 months). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I:
Patients receive topotecan IV over 30 minutes on days 1-5. Arm II: Patients receive
topotecan orally on days 1-5. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks in the absence of unacceptable
toxicity. Patients experiencing complete or partial response continue until progression or
for at least 2 courses past maximal response. Patients with stable disease should receive at
least 4 courses. Quality of life is assessed Patients are followed every 3 months.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 300 patients (150 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this
study.
Criteria:
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed limited or extensive
stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Disease recurring at least 90 days following
completion of first line chemotherapy Partial or complete response to first line therapy
Must have at least one bidimensionally measurable non CNS lesion May be within a prior
radiation port if at least 6 weeks since prior radiotherapy and progressing Brain and/or
leptomeningeal metastases allowed if asymptomatic and not requiring corticosteroids
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At
least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL (after transfusion, if
needed) Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2 times
upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver metastases present)
Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver
metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at
least 60 mL/min Other: No active uncontrolled infection No other malignancies within the
past 5 years except curatively treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in
situ of the cervix, or stage I low grade prostate cancer No other severe medical
conditions that would preclude study or cause exposure to extreme risk or decreased life
expectancy No uncontrolled emesis No active peptic ulcer, diabetes mellitus, chronic
gastritis, significant ascites, or other gastrointestinal (GI) conditions (e.g., removal
of a portion of the stomach or recent GI obstruction) that would alter absorption or GI
motility No history of allergic reactions to compounds chemically related to topotecan Not
pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective
contraception for 3 months prior to, during, and at least 4 weeks after the study
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 months since prior immunotherapy No
concurrent immunotherapy for SCLC Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior
topotecan Only one prior chemotherapy regimen allowed No other concurrent chemotherapy for
SCLC Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Radiotherapy: See Disease
Characteristics At least 24 hours since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy for
SCLC Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior surgery Other: At least 30 days or five half
lives since other prior investigational drugs No prior drugs (e.g., cisapride) that would
alter absorption or GI motility No other concurrent investigational therapy for SCLC