title: Paclitaxel/cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paclitaxel (Taxol) as single agent has shown promising activity in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Because paclitaxel lends itself to combination with other anticancer drugs, we have determined the efficacy of paclitaxel combined with cisplatin in patients with advanced NSCLC in a phase II trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with NSCLC stage IIIB or IV were treated with paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) as a 3-hour infusion after standard premedication on day 1 and cisplatin (50 mg/m2 daily) on days 1 and 2. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 20 patients were evaluable for response and toxic effects. Partial responses were seen in 7 (35%) patients and no change in 9 (45%) patients. Major side effects included leukopenia, anemia, alopecia and dose-limiting neurotoxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paclitaxel/cisplatin has shown good antitumor activity in patients with advanced NSCLC and should be further evaluated in this disease. Because neurotoxicity has been dose-limiting, methods for its prevention or early detection should further enhance the clinical value of this combination chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pirker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krajnik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zöchbauer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malayeri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kneussl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin