Docetaxel (Taxotere) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)--is there a role for a new chemotherapy programme?
Phase II with single-agent docetaxel, in second-line NSCLC, demonstrated an overall response rate of 20%, with a median response duration of 7 months and a median survival time of 9 months. These results suggested that docetaxel had promising activity in patients with platinum-resistant or refractory NSCLC. Phase III studies in this patient population subsequently confirmed this activity; docetaxel prolonged survival when compared to either vinorelbine/ifosfamide or the best supportive care. The phase II studies with docetaxel in first-line NSCLC produced an overall response rate of 30% in evaluable patients, with a median response duration of 6 months and a median survival time of 9 months. A phase III randomized study demonstrated a significant improvement in survival and time to progression with docetaxel, compared to the best supportive care. Based on the activity observed with single-agent docetaxel, combination and multimodality studies with docetaxel have also been conducted. Docetaxel is an active agent in first- and second-line NSCLC. Ongoing studies in the front-line treatment of NSCLC will further define the role of docetaxel in the neo-adjuvant setting.
Armand
J P
JP
Institut Gustave Roussy, Service d'Oncologie, Villejuif, France. armand@igr.fr
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel