title: Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein as an independent predictor for treatment effects and a prognostic factor of survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with docetaxel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify predictors of treatment outcome and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with docetaxel.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected from 180 NSCLC patients enrolled in six docetaxel Phase II studies at a dose of 100 mg/m(2). Clinical end points for this study were safety reported as the first course adverse events requiring dose reduction, and efficacy was measured by response rate and survival. The independent variables included docetaxel dose, individual estimates of clearance, area under the plasma concentration time curve, extent of previous treatment, and covariables related to the patient's demographics, extent of disease, and performance status. The data were analyzed using a logistic regression model for response and severe adverse events and a Cox multivariate regression model for survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Docetaxel exposure as measured by the area under the plasma concentration time curve was the only significant predictor (P < 0.0001) of severe toxicity during the first course of therapy. Baseline alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) was the only significant predictor of response with an odds ratio of 0.44 for changes in AAG from 1.11 to 1.85 grams/liter (P = 0.0039). Cumulative dose, AAG, and extent of disease were independent predictors of survival (P < 0.005). The median survival varied from 15.6 months for patients with a low AAG (AAG < or = 1.11 grams/liter) to 5.5 months for patients with a high AAG (AAG >/= 1.85 grams/liter).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAG appears to be an independent predictor of response and a major objective prognostic factor of survival in patients with NSCLC treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Aventis Pharma SA, tri E2/325, 20 Avenue Raymond Aron, 92165 Antony cedex, France.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olivares
authors.forename: Jocelyne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berille
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaikin
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vivier
authors.forename: Luz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hammershaimb
authors.forename: Gerald R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rigas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019540:Area Under Curve; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D043823:Taxoids; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009961:Orosomucoid; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel