Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Background Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive type of lung cancer. Platinum-based regimens are the primary treatment.The aim of our study is to compare the effectiveness of cisplatin and carboplatin with etoposide as first-line treatment option in SCLC and demonstrate if present carboplatin is not non-inferiorty over to cisplatin. Methods In this single-center, retrospective study 135 patients diagnosed with SCLC were evaluated and compared according to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients analysed according to receiving cisplatin plus etoposide (EP) and those receiving carboplatin plus etoposide(EC) in the first line retrospectively. Results 53(%39,2) patients received EP, 82 (%60,7) patients received EC. The median age was 60 years in the EP arm and 67.5 years in the EC arm. There was no significant difference between PFS in limited stage(LS) patients and those receiving cisplatin and carboplatin (16 vs 10 mos p = 0,133). However, a significant OS difference in favor of cisplatin was detected in this patient group (31,2 vs 20,2 mos p = 0,021). In extensive stage(ES) patients, carboplatin was statistically more effective than cisplatin regarding PFS (8 vs 7 mos p = 0,025). However, no significant difference was detected in OS in the EP and EC groups (10,8 vs 11,30 mos p = 0,545). Conclusion Cisplatin appears to be more effective in LS patients, its effect profile is similar to carboplatin in ES patients. Due to its tolerability, carboplatin treatment may be preferred in the ES patients.
Hasdemir et al. (Fri,) studied this question.