A group of 28 patients with advanced non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma (NSCBC) entered a phase II study on cisplatin (60 mg/m2, day 1) plus etoposide 120 mg/m2, day 1 to 3), every 3 weeks, in combination with lonidamine (150 mg p.o. t.i.d. continuously from day 1). Seven out of twenty-seven (26%) evaluable patients obtained a partial remission (median duration 22 weeks, range 7-47). Although the side effects were mild, three patients stopped the therapy because of them. Median survival was 14 months, range 2-19. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of "biochemical modulators" in NSCBC.