title: One-hour paclitaxel in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: This review describes studies with two paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ)-containing treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In an ongoing study, 100 patients with previously untreated stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received combination therapy comprised of paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 via 1-hour infusion and carboplatin, dosed to an area under the concentration-time curve of 6.0. Both drugs were given intravenously and cycles were repeated every 21 days. Patients with objective responses or stable disease after two courses continued for a maximum of 10 treatment courses. Of the 100 patients, 36% had an objective response, including three complete responses. An additional 33% had stable disease/minor response. The regimen was well tolerated. Grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy, which usually appeared during or after the fourth treatment course, was noted in 18% of patients. An earlier study evaluated combined-modality therapy in 33 patients with unresectable stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC. Two courses of intravenous induction chemotherapy were initially administered (paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 via 1-hour infusion, day 1; cisplatin 60 mg/m2, day 2; and etoposide 100 mg/m2, days 1 to 3). After two courses, radiation therapy was initiated at 1.8 to 2.0 Gy daily (median total dose, 60 Gy). Patients also received chemotherapy concurrent with radiation: paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 over 1 hour on day 1, cisplatin 5 mg/m2 days 2 to 5 and 8 to 12, and etoposide 25 mg/m2 days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Of the 29 patients who completed therapy, 41% achieved complete responses and 41% had partial responses. Median survival exceeds 14 months, and 30% of patients continue progression free 12 to 29 months after completion of therapy. Grade 3/4 esophagitis was observed in 51% of participants and usually occurred during the final 2 weeks of combined-modality therapy. The combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin is active and well tolerated in patients with advanced NSCLC, and paclitaxel-based combined-modality therapy produced a high rate of complete and partial responses and encouraging survival data. Continued investigation and refinement of these regimens is ongoing.
authors.affiliation: Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hainsworth
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin