Adriamycin in advanced bronchogenic carcinoma

Adriamycin, a new cytotoxic antibiotic with antitumor activity in a variety of neoplasms, was given to 31 patients with advanced bronchogenic carcinoma. The doses used were 30 and 35 mg/m2 of body surface area daily for 3 days repeated at 3- or 4-week intervals. Objective regression (<50%) was seen in 4 of 20 patients receiving 30 mg/m2 and 5 of 11 patients receiving 35 mg/m2. Regressions according to histologic cell type were seen in 5 of 17 adenocarcinomas, 3 of 6 small cell carcinomas, 1 of 6 large cell anaplastic carcinomas, and 0 of 2 squamous cell carcinomas. Those patients who attained tumor regression survived longer than those who had progression. Toxic manifestations of Adriamycin administration were myelosuppression, stomatitis, cardiomyopathy, and nausea and vomiting. Adriamycin at doses below the cumulative cardiotoxic threshold appears to be of clinical value in advanced bronchogenic carcinoma.