Multicentre phase II study of cisplatin–etoposide chemotherapy for advanced large-cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma: the GFPC 0302 study

Abstract

BackgroundThe optimal treatment of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung remains unclear. Here, our primary objective was to assess the efficacy of cisplatin–etoposide doublet chemotherapy in advanced LCNEC. Accuracy of the pathological diagnosis and treatment toxicity were assessed as secondary objectives. Patients and methodsProspective, multicentre, single-arm, phase II study with a centralised review of treatment-response and pathological data. Patients had untreated performance status (PS) 0/1 stage IV/IIIB LCNEC and received cisplatin (80 mg/m22 d1) and etoposide (100 mg/m22 d1-3) every 21 days. ResultsEighteen centres included 42 patients (mean age, 59 ± 9 years; 69% men; median of four cycles/patient). At least one grade-3/4 toxicity occurred in 59% of patients (neutropaenia, thrombocytopaenia, and anaemia in 32%, 17%, and 12%, respectively). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.2 months (95% confidence interval, CI, 3.1–6.6) and 7.7 months (95% CI, 6.0–9.6), respectively. The centralised pathologist review reclassified 11 of 40 (27.5%) patients: 9 as small-cell lung cancer, 1 as undifferentiated non-small-cell lung cancer, and 1 as atypical carcinoid. Survival data were not significantly changed by excluding the reclassified patients. ConclusionsThe pathological diagnosis of LCNEC is difficult. The outcomes of advanced LCNEC treated with cisplatin–etoposide doublets are poor, similar to those of patients with advanced small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).