title: First-line gemcitabine with cisplatin or epirubicin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase III trial.
abstract: The purpose of our study was to compare progression-free survival and quality of life (QOL) after cisplatin-gemcitabine (CG) or epirubicin-gemcitabine (EG) in chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients (n=240) were randomised to receive gemcitabine 1125 mg x m(-2) (days 1 and 8) plus either cisplatin 80 mg x m(-2) (day 2) or epirubicin 100 mg x m(-2) (day 1) every 3 weeks for a maximum of five cycles. Eligible patients had normal organ functions and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <or=2. QOL was measured with European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and LC13 questionnaires. There were no significant differences in median progression-free survival (CG 26 weeks, EG 23 weeks), median overall survival (CG 43 weeks, EG 36 weeks), or tumour response rates (CG 46%, EG 36%). Toxicity was mainly haematologic. In the EG arm granulocytopenia occurred more frequently, leading to more febrile neutropenia. Also, elevation of serum transaminases, mucositis, fever, and decline in LVEF were more common in the EG arm. In the CG arm, more patients experienced elevated serum creatinine levels, sensory neuropathy, nausea, and vomiting. Global QOL was not different in both arms. Progression-free survival, overall survival, response rate, and QOL were not different between both arms; however, overall toxicity was more severe in the EG arm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wachters
authors.forename: J W G
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Van Putten
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Erjavec
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eppinga
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Strijbos
authors.forename: G P J
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: de Leede
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Boezen
authors.forename: E G E
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: H J M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Groen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine