A less intensive combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients who have aged 60 years or more and has a poor performance status.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the response, survival, and toxicities of a less intensive combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin, which is used in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients older than 60 years of age including those with a poor performance status.


METHODS
Thirty patients received 135 mg/m2 of paclitaxel on day 1, and carboplatin was administered to the patients on day 1 every 4 weeks over an area under the concentration-time curve of 6.


RESULTS
The response rate was 40%, the median overall survival was 9.1 months (95% CI, 4.2 to 14 months), and the 1 year survival rate was 31%. The median progression-free survival was 7.7 months (95% CI, 3.1 to 12.2 months). In addition, the toxicities were generally mild and reversible.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that a less intensive combination of paclitaxel/carboplatin is active and well tolerated in advanced NSCLC patients who are older than 60 years including those with a poor PS 3-4.
Min
Young Joo
YJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
Ahn
Jong Joon
JJ
Noh
Young Ju
YJ
Cha
Hee Jeong
HJ
Suh
Jae Hee
JH
Jung
Jong Pil
JP
Park
Chang Ryul
CR
Jeong
Ae Kyung
AK
Park
Jae Hoo
JH
Lee
Ki Man
KM
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* / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel