Chemotherapy in stage-IV NSCLC.
Since cisplatin-based chemotherapy was proven to increase survival in advanced and metastatic NSCLC various new combinations have been tested. The third generation regimens which showed almost comparable efficacy among each other in randomised trials often proved a better response rate and time to progression combined with a remarkable reduction of toxic side effects compared to "classic" combinations, whereas most studies only noted a modest increase in survival. Two-drug regimens were more effective than monotherapy but at the expense of significantly increased toxicity, while monotherapy compared to BSC improved quality of life and survival. The novel antifolate Pemetrexed proved comparable activity to docetaxel with significantly reduced toxicities.
Reck
Martin
M
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hospital Grosshansdorf, Center of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, Woehrendamm 80, D-22927 Grosshansdorf, Germany. dr.martin.reck@web.de
Gatzemeier
Ulrich
U
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic