Randomised study to evaluate the chronotolerance of a combination infusional chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and carboplatin in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

An infusional ambulatory chronotherapy with 5-FU, folinic acid (FOL) and carboplatin was administered to 45 advanced NSCLC patients. The patients were randomised into 3 groups varying according to the time of administration peak of drugs (reference hours: 4 a.m. for 5 FU (and FOL); 4 p.m. for carboplatin; +/-8 h). The reference schedule appeared best tolerated (regarding hematology and mucitis). This study has prospectively validated the chronotolerance concepts of this complex combination chemotherapy. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.