Current approaches in chemotherapy of advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Several new agents have been introduced in the palliative treatment of advanced and metastatic NSCLC in the recent years. In randomized trials, the new third-generation regimens showed comparable efficacy to each other, but a better response rate and time to progression combined with a remarkably improved tolerability compared to "classic schedules". In patients who are not suitable for platinum-based therapy, monotherapy could be an attractive opportunity, as shown in randomized trials. In second-line therapy, the novel antifolate Pemetrexed showed comparable activity to Docetaxel with significantly reduced toxicity. Among the new oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Erlotinib proved to be active in second- and third-line treatments, whereas in first-line treatment, no survival benefit has been observed to date.
Reck
Martin
M
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hospital Grosshansdorf, Center of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, Grosshansdorf, Germany. dr.martin.reck@web.de
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis