Lung Cancer. 2003 Mar;39(3):339-45.

Ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide combined with 41.8 degrees C whole body hyperthermia for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Bakhshandeh A, Bruns I, Traynor A, Robins HI, Eberhardt K, Demedts A, Kaukel E, Koschel G, Gatzemeier U, Kohlmann T, Dalhoff K, Ehlers EM, Gruber Y,Zumschlinge R, Hegewisch-Becker S, Peters SO, Wiedemann GJ.

Source

Medical University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany. bakhshan@medinf.mu-luebeck.de

Abstract

We performed a phase II study combining 41.8 degrees C whole body hyperthermia with ICE chemotherapy, i.e. ifosfamide (5 g/m(2)), carboplatin (300 mg/m(2)) and etoposide (150 mg/m(2) on days 2 and 3), administered every 4 weeks, for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Of 27 chemonäive, non-metastatic patients enrolled, 25 patients were evaluable for response. Overall response rate was 20% (five partial remissions; 95% CI 8.9-39.1%). Median survival time from the start of treatment for all patients was 76.6 weeks (95% CI 65.4-87.8 weeks). Progression free survival for all patients measured 29.6 weeks (95% CI 24.4-34.7 weeks). One year overall survival was 68% and 2 year overall survival was 20%. Major treatment toxicities included grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 74 and 33% of treatment cycles, respectively. One patient died due to sepsis. These promising results are consistent with continued clinical investigation; a phase III clinical trial with whole body hyperthermia as the independent variable has been initiated.