title: Weekly low-dose docetaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer previously treated with two chemotherapy regimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of salvage chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial, but the recent development of a number of active antineoplastic agents has created new possibilities for disease management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and safety of weekly docetaxel treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC previously treated with two chemotherapy regimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 26 patients with histologically documented stage IIIB, IV or recurrent metastatic NSCLC previously treated with two non-taxane based-chemotherapy regimens. They all received docetaxel 25 mg/m(2)/week administered as a 1-h infusion in an outpatient setting with corticosteroid premedication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen of the 26 patients (54%) had distant metastases and 12 (46%) chest-localised disease. Six patients (23%; confidence interval: 9.8-44.1%) showed a partial response, 8 (31%) stable disease, and 12 (46%) progressive disease. The median time to progression was 4 months (range 2-8), and the median survival was 7+ months (range 3-13+). There were no statistically significant differences between the global quality of life scores recorded at baseline and those recorded after subsequent cycles. The treatment was very well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that weekly low-dose docetaxel is effective, well tolerated and maintains a relatively good quality of life in patients with advanced NSCLC previously exposed to two chemotherapy regimens.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Division, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Siena, Policlinico le Scotte, Viale Bracci 11, 53100, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Petrioli
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pozzessere
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Messinese
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabatino
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ceciarini
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.forename: Pierpaolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.forename: Anna Ida
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Fiaschi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Voltolini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gotti
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Francini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel