title: Treatment with paclitaxel 1-h infusion and carboplatin of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II multicentre trial. Joint Lung Cancer Study Group.
abstract: The primary aim of this phase II study was to determine the response rate of a combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a multicentre setting. The secondary aim was to determine time to progression (TTP), 1-year survival rate and toxicity. 65 patients were treated and all of them were included in the follow up for survival and toxicity. 60 patients were followed for response rate and time to progression. 55% were stage IV patients and 45% stage IIIB patients. The treatment consisted of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 given as a 1-h i.v. infusion and carboplatin given as a 30 min i.v. infusion and the latter was dosed by using the Calvert formula at an area under the concentration time curve (AUC) of 5. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined by iohexol clearance and was not calculated from the serum creatinine level. The chemotherapy courses were given every third week with a maximum number of six or eight courses for patients who responded late. As premedication we used 8 mg betamethasone 40 min prior to infusion and then 10 min later clemastin and cimetidine. One complete response and 18 partial responses were seen giving a response rate of 29%. 40% of the patients progressed during the treatment and 28% had stable disease. The median TTP was 22 weeks. At a minimum follow up of 1 year, the 1-year survival rate was 38% and the median survival rate was 41 weeks. Haematological toxicity was mild with no grade 4 leucopenia and only seven patients (11%) had grade 3 leucopenia. There was no grade 4 toxicity. Grade 3 toxicity was seen as myalgia 5%, allergic reaction 3% and peripheral neuropathy 6%. 15% of the patients had a dose reduction due to neurotoxicity. The haematological toxicity was much milder than we expected, probably because of more exact determination of the GFR. This trial confirms the results of earlier reported trials of the efficacy and the ease of the regimen as an out-patient treatment option in advanced NSCLC. The main problem with this treatment is peripheral neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Orebro Medical Centre Hospital, Sweden. martin.helsing@orebroll.se
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helsing
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thaning
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sederholm
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lamberg
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martinsson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ek
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Månsson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hero
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anjedani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Svennson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel