Weekly, high-dose paclitaxel in advanced lung carcinoma: a phase II study with pharmacokinetics by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B.
BACKGROUND
The Cancer and Leukemia Group B conducted a Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel administered at a maximum dose density for patients with chemotherapy-naïve, advanced-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).


METHODS
Patients with Stage IIIB/IV or recurrent NSCLC, a performance status (PS) score of 0-1, and no history of chemotherapy exposure were eligible. Paclitaxel, 150 mg/m(2), was administered over 3 hours during Weeks 1-6 of an 8-week cycle. Doses were modified for ANC < 1500/microL or for >or= Grade 2 neuropathy on the day of therapy. Treatment continued until toxicity or disease progression. Pharmacokinetics were assessed at Weeks 1, 3, and 5 of Cycle 1.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients (median age, 64 years; range, 31-81 years) were treated. There were 21 males (PS = 0 for 17). Eleven patients had received previous radiation, 2 had brain metastases, 25 had adenocarcinoma, 23 had Stage IV disease, 6 had StageIIIB disease, and 9 had recurrent disease. Grade 3-4 granulocytopenia occurred in 39% of patients. There were no deaths due to toxicity. Grade 2 or 3 neuropathy occurred in 29% and 24% of patients, respectively. Ten (27%) patients had Grade 3 hyperglycemia (glucose concentration > 250 mg/dL). There were 16 partial responses (42%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26-59%). The median survival period was 12.3 months (95% CI, 7.9-19.6%), and the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 52% (95% CI, 39-71%) and 26% (95% CI, 15-45%), respectively. Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics were consistent with published values and clearance was not induced. Older age and hyperglycemia were associated with greater neurotoxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Paclitaxel at 150 mg/m(2) per week x 6 every 8 weeks can be administered safely in the cooperative group setting. These Phase II data are comparable to those associated with combination therapy. The weekly dose-dense schedule may be more active than conventional schedules.
Akerley
Wallace
W
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, USA. wallace.akerley@HCI.utah.edu
Herndon
James E
JE
Egorin
Merrill J
MJ
Lyss
Alan P
AP
Kindler
Hedy L
HL
Savarese
Dianne M
DM
Sherman
Carol A
CA
Rosen
D Marc
DM
Hollis
Donna
D
Ratain
Mark J
MJ
Green
Mark R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel