Weekly paclitaxel as second/third-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: efficacy and tolerability.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel as second- or third-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.


METHODS
The outcome measured in 37 patients were: response rates, symptom relief (dyspnoea, asthenia and pain), toxicity, overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP).


RESULTS
Objective response was seen in 8%, stable disease in 27% and disease progression in 62%. Three paclitaxel courses reduced the frequency of WHO grade 2-3 dyspnoea and asthenia from 38% and 43% to 13.5% and &1%, respectively. Moderate to severe pain (VAS score 3-8) was reduced from 35.1% to 24.3%. Median OS was 38 weeks and TTP 12 weeks. Haematological toxicity included anaemia (30% grade 2-3) and neutropenia (8% grade 3). Nonhaematological toxicity included peripheral neuropathy (41% grade 1-2).


CONCLUSIONS
In the routine outpatient setting, weekly paclitaxel is feasible, active and well-tolerated as second/third-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Camps
Carlos
C
Servicio de Oncologáa Médica, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain. camps_car@gva.es
Caballero
Cristina
C
Blasco
Ana
A
Safont
Maria Jose
MJ
Berrocal
Alfonso
A
Garde
Javier
J
Juarez
Asunción
A
Sirera
Rafael
R
Bremnes
Roy M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel