Weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: an extended phase II study.
BACKGROUND
A phase II study of a cisplatin/paclitaxel combination given on a weekly schedule in the front-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is reported.


METHODS
Treatment consisted of an intravenous infusion of cisplatin, 25 mg/m2, and paclitaxel, 80 mg/m2, every week. Chemotherapy was continued until completion of a 22-week treatment plan, disease progression, persistent toxicity, or patient refusal.


RESULTS
Seventy-nine patients entered the study. The median number of infusions per patient was 14 (range 0-22). The median dose-intensity was 75% of that projected. Toxicity was generally acceptable, and never life-threatening. Seven complete responses (pathologically documented in 4 patients) and 27partial responses were observed for an overall response rate of 43%. The estimated median survival and median time to progression was 55 (95% CI: 38-71) and 37 weeks (95% CI: 31-44), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, the weekly combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel is well tolerated, active and associated with remarkably long survivals.
Ferrigno
Domenico
D
Cuneo Lung Cancer Study Group, Struttura Complessa di Pneumologia, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo, I-12100, Italy. ferrigno@culcasg.org
Buccheri
Gianfranco
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin