Phase II Study of Area Under the Plasma-Concentration-Versus-Time Curve–Based Carboplatin Plus Standard-Dose Intravenous Etoposide in Elderly Patients With Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE: The target area under the plasma-concentration-versus-time curve (AUC)–based dosing of carboplatin using Calvert's formula is expected to result in more acceptable toxicity and greater efficacy in elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) than the body surface area–based dosing strategy. This phase II study was designed to determine the toxicity and efficacy of carboplatin based on Calvert's formula plus the standard dose of intravenous etoposide for elderly patients with SCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Carboplatin, dosed to a target AUC of 5 × (24-hour creatinine clearance + 25), was given intravenously on day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 was given intravenously on days 1, 2, and 3. Patients aged ≥ 70 years old with a performance status of 0 to 2 were eligible. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were enrolled onto the study. The patient characteristics were as follows: median age, 73 years; limited disease (LD), 16 patients; and extensive disease (ED), 20 patients. Grades 3 and 4 leukopenia occurre...