Phase II trial and cost analysis of fazarabine in advanced non-small cell carcinoma of the lung: A southwest oncology group study

Background Fazarabine is a novel nucleoside with broad spectrum pre-clinical activity and was chosen for study in patients with incurable non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. The expenses associated with investigational treatment have been assumed to be more than what would occur with conventional therapy, however, data are limited. Methods Twently-three patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer were treated with fazarabine. Fazarabine was administered as a 72 hour continuous infusion, at 2.0 mg/M²/hour. A cost analysis of treatment was calculated for patients treated in Springfield, MO. Results There were no responses (0%, 95% confidence interval=0–15%) and median survival was 8 months. An analysis of the cost of treatment in the 4 patients treated in Springfield, MO, was compared to the costs of treatment with 4 cycles of cisplatinum and etoposide. There were no significant differences in costs for patients treated with the investigational agent as compared with conventional chemotherapy. Conclusions Fazarabine has no demonstrable activity in patients with metastatic non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. Treatment with this agent in an investigational setting was no more expensive than treatment with conventional chemotherapy.