Docetaxel (Taxotere) shows survival and quality-of-life benefits in the second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: a review of two phase III trials.
The potential benefits of docetaxel (Taxotere; Aventis, Antony, France) to patients with previously-treated non-small cell lung cancer have been evaluated in two prospective randomized phase III trials. In one study, patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer who had failed previous cisplatin-based chemotherapy were randomized to receive either docetaxel (100 or 75 mg/m2, once every 3 weeks) or best supportive care. Median survival was significantly longer for patients treated with docetaxel 75 mg/m2 (7.5 months v 4.6 months) as was 1-year survival (37% v 11%). A second trial, also in platinum-pretreated patients, randomized patients to docetaxel 100 mg/m2, docetaxel 75 mg/m2, or vinorelbine/ifosfamide. Median survival was similar across the three study groups. Thirty-two percent of patients assigned to docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and 21% to docetaxel 100 mg/m2, were alive at 1 year, versus 19% on the vinorelbine/ifosfamide arm. Docetaxel offers clinically meaningful benefits in the second-line setting. The recommended dose is 75 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks. The adverse events observed were predictable, tolerable, and manageable. These phase III trials showed that docetaxel provided clinical benefits to patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Shepherd
F A
FA
Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Fossella
F V
FV
Lynch
T
T
Armand
J P
JP
Rigas
J R
JR
Kris
M G
MG
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel