Paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with low performance status.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to determine the efficacy and safety of a platinum-free regimen combining gemcitabine and paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a low performance status (PS).


METHODS
Patients with histologically confirmed unresectable NSCLC, no previous chemotherapy, measurable lesion and a PS of 2 or 3 according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale were elegible. Chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 on day 1 plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks, for a maximum of 8 cycles.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine consecutive patients were enrolled. PS was 2 and 3 in 93% and 7% of patients, respectively. A total of 149 courses of chemotherapy were delivered (median 4.6). Responses: complete response 1 (3.4%), partial response 11 (37.9%), stable disease 12 (41.3%), progressive disease 5 (17.2%) (response rate 41.3%, 95% CI. 23.5% to 61.6%). Median time to progression was 8.3 months (range 2.9-31.7); median overall survival was 13.6 months (range 3.2-31.7). Grade 3 leukopenia occurred in 3% of patients, while grade 3 thrombocytopenia was observed in 25% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Reasonable response rates and a satisfactory clinical benefit can be obtained with a platinum-free regimen in NSCLC patients with a low PS.
Recchia
Francesco
F
Ospedale Civile di Avezzano, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy. frecchia1946@libero.it
Saggio
Gaetano
G
Cesta
Alisia
A
Candeloro
Giampiero
G
Rea
Silvio
S
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine