Bestatin as adjuvant treatment in operated stage I and stage II non-small cell lung cancer. European Lung Cancer Study Group.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effect of bestatin with respect to disease-free survival and overall survival. The study was designed as a randomized, two-armed study with surgery + bestatin in one arm, versus surgery alone in the other arm. All patients randomized are followed for 5 years or until death. By January 1st 1988, 1 030 patients had been randomized, but less than 50% were eligible after pathological staging. The data seem to show a trend in favour of bestatin in terms of disease-free survival, but the trend is far from being significant. No serious side-effects have been reported. No final conclusions can be drawn at present by April 1st 1988, but follow-up will continue and a new analysis made by April 1st 1989.