Slow accrual

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known which combination chemotherapy regimen is more effective for treating extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to compare the effectiveness of combining topotecan and paclitaxel with that of combining etoposide and cisplatin in treating patients who have extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the response rates in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer treated with topotecan and paclitaxel versus etoposide and cisplatin. II. Compare time to response, response duration, time to progression, and survival in these patients treated with these regimens. III. Determine the toxicity profiles of these regimens in these patients. IV. Compare the effects of these regimens on symptoms of disease in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, open label, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to gender, ECOG performance status (0-1 vs 2), and elevated LDH (absent vs present). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours on day 1 and topotecan IV over 30 minutes on days 1-5. Patients also receive filgrastim (G-CSF) subcutaneously beginning on day 6 and continuing until blood counts recover. Arm II: Patients receive cisplatin IV over 3 hours on day 1 and etoposide IV over 30 minutes on days 1-3. Treatment continues every 21 days for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed every 3 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 150 patients (75 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of extensive stage small cell lung cancer At least 1 bidimensionally measurable non CNS lesion At least 1 cm in one diameter and at least 2 cm in another diameter by CT or MRI scan At least 2 cm in two diameters by x-ray, ultrasound, or for palpable tumor masses by physical exam Measurable skin lesion at least 1 cm in at least one diameter by photography No symptomatic CNS and/or leptomeningeal metastases requiring corticosteroid therapy to control symptoms

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No preexisting cardiac disease No congestive heart failure No cardiac arrhythmia requiring therapy No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception for 3 months before, during, and for at least 4 weeks after study No active uncontrolled infection No other concurrent or prior malignancies within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or stage I low grade prostate cancer No other severe medical problem or any other medical condition that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Radiotherapy: At least 24 hours since prior radiotherapy if no marked bone marrow suppression expected At least 6 weeks since prior radiotherapy to measurable lesion if evidence of progression Concurrent radiotherapy for bone pain control allowed Surgery: At least 3 weeks since prior surgery Other: At least 30 days or 5 half lives (whichever is longer) since prior investigational drug No other concurrent investigational drugs