A Phase II Study of Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Vindesine With Valproic Acid in Patients With Refractory or Relapsing Small Cell Lung Cancer After Platinum Derivatives and Etoposide

Inclusion Criteria: * Histological or cytological diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) * SCLC refractory to prior chemotherapy regimen including platinum derivatives (cisplatin or carboplatin) and etoposide, either primary refractory (immediate progression or recurrence less than 3 months after the end of previous chemotherapy) or secondary refractory (sensitive patients to platinum plus etoposide in first-line, progressing or recurring less than 3 months after reintroduction of the same chemotherapy). * At least one evaluable or measurable lesion * Availability for participating in the detailed follow-up of the protocol * Signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patient who were previously treated with anthracyclin or vinca-alcaloid derivatives or cyclophosphamide * Performance status \< 60 on the Karnofsky scale * A history of prior malignant tumour, except non-melanoma skin cancer or in situ carcinoma of the cervix or of the bladder or cured malignant tumour (more than 5-year disease free interval) * A history of prior HIV infection * Polynuclear cells \< 2,000/mm³ * Platelet cells \< 100,000/mm³ * Abnormal coagulation tests (aPTT, PTT, prothrombin time) and/or decreased fibrinogen * Serum bilirubin \>1.5 mg/100 ml * Transaminases more than twice the normal range * Serum creatinine \> 1.5 mg/100 ml * Recent myocardial infarction (less than 3 months prior to date of diagnosis) * Congestive cardiac failure (ejection fraction of the left ventricle \< 50%) or uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia * Uncontrolled infectious disease * Active epilepsy needing a specific treatment * Concomitant treatment with IMAO, carbamazepine, mefloquine, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoïn, lamotrigine, zidovudine * Pregnancy or refusal to use active contraception * A known allergy to valproic acid and/or doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine * Serious medical or psychological factors which may prevent adherence to the treatment schedule.