Alternating weekly administration of paclitaxel and gemcitabine: a phase II study in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
We sought to evaluate toxicity and efficacy of an alternating week schedule of paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Patients (n=27, mean age 56 years, range 27-73 years) received paclitaxel (100 mg/m(2) i.v. infusion over 1 h) on days 1 and 15 alternating with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2)) on days 8 and 22 of a 36-day cycle. Responses were evaluated after three cycles, and after the proposed six cycles.


RESULTS
In total, 116 cycles were administered (mean 4.25 cycles per patient). Haematological toxicity was slight: febrile neutropenia (n=1) and neutropenia grade III-IV (n=5). Non-haematological toxicities included arthromyalgia grade II (n=6) and neurotoxicity grade III (n=1). Objective response was 29%, stable disease 25% and disease progression 46%. Median duration of response was 8 months (95% CI 5-11 months), median progression-free survival was 7 months (95% CI 4-11 months), median overall survival was 13 months (95% CI 7-17 months) and survival at 1 year was 52%.


CONCLUSIONS
A regimen of alternating weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine is feasible in patients with advanced NSCLC, showing a lower toxicity profile compared with other platinum-based combinations, which makes this novel scheme attractive for these patients.
Aguiar
David
D
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, C/ Barranco de la Ballena s/n, 35020, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. dagubuj@gobiernodecanarias.org
Aguiar
José
J
Bohn
Uriel
U
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine