H. Schmoll
Jun 1, 1982
Citations
1
Influential Citations
68
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Cancer treatment reviews
Abstract
Summary Based on experimental findings, clinical toxicity and activity data, i.v. etoposide at doses of 60–120 mg/m 2 on 3–5 successive days with repetition of the treatment after 3 weeks appears to be the most suitable scheduling for this drug either alone or in combination. In clinical trials i.v. drug administration is preferable because of its predictable bioavailability. When the oral formulation is indicated, doubling of the i.v. dose is recommended since the bioavailability is approximately 50% of the i.v. dose. Non-cumulative bone marrow toxicity, with predominantly white cell suppression, is dose-limiting. The major toxicities are gastrointestinal side effects and alopecia. In combination with other cardiotoxic drugs, etoposide should be used cautiously particularly in patients with compromised cardiac function. Etoposide is currently one of the most active drugs in small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and testicular cancer. In these malignancies it use in first line combination regimes is justified. Its experimentally and clinically demonstrated synergy with cis -platinum renders this combination particularly attractive. Moderate single drug activity of etoposide was documented in non-oat cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, chorioncarcinoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, hepatoma, gastric cancer and Hodgkin's disease. Further clinical trials should evaluate the activity of etoposide in uterine and esophageal carcinoma, blastic crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia as well as Ewing's sarcoma.