Docetaxel and carboplatin as first-line therapy in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma: a phase II study.
BACKGROUND
Taxanes have been widely used against advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), alone and in combination with platinum agents. In order to develop a tolerable palliative regimen, we combined carboplatin with low dose docetaxel.


METHODS
Chemotherapy-naive patients, with Stage IIIB or IV NSCLC and an ECOG performance status < or = 2, were enrolled. Treatment consisted of docetaxel 60 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 6 every 21 days. Therapy continued for 1 year or 6 months beyond best response, whichever was greater.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients were enrolled. Most patients (80%) had Stage IV disease. The partial response rate was 16%. Response duration ranged from 6 to 115 weeks. Median survival was 55 weeks. Toxicity was generally limited to grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. There was 1 septic death.


CONCLUSIONS
Survival compared favorably to other similar trials employing higher doses of docetaxel. Additionally, a hematologic toxicity advantage was seen compared to regimens containing higher doses of docetaxel.
Jahanzeb
Mohammad
M
University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, 1331 Union Avenue-Suite 800, Memphis, TN 38104, USA. mjahanze@utmem.edu
Sarna
Greg
G
Hirsch
Robert
R
Radice
Peter
P
Koletsky
Alan
A
Martinez
Manuel
M
Kruglyak
Elena
E
Wolin
Edward
E
Camacho
Elber
E
Kronish
Lori
L
Motl
Susannah
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin