title: Paclitaxel for non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Paclitaxel, a tubulin-binding agent, is widely used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The combination of paclitaxel and a platinum compound is an approved regimen for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. The dose-limiting toxicity of paclitaxel is myelosuppression when administered on a prolonged infusion schedule, whereas neuropathy is more common with short infusions. Although the 3-weekly schedule of paclitaxel is the commonly utilised regimen for the treatment of advanced NSCLC, the weekly regimens appear to be associated with lesser myelosuppression and neuropathy. A randomised clinical trial is currently underway to compare the efficacy of the weekly versus 3-weekly regimen of paclitaxel, in combination with carboplatin for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. The radiosensitising effect of paclitaxel has led to its incorporation into multi-modality treatment of NSCLC patients in combination with thoracic radiation. Paclitaxel has also demonstrated synergistic interaction with several molecularly-targeted agents and is at present being evaluated in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment settings for early stage NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Sakkaraiappan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramalingam
authors.forename: Chandra P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Belani
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000009:adverse effects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; C022131:cremophor; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin