title: First-line chemotherapy for advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer: focus on docetaxel.
abstract: Systemic chemotherapy results in modest improvements in survival and quality of life for patients with advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Administration of a platinum compound in combination with a taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel), gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or irinotecan is considered optimal first-line therapy for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC who have a good performance status. Studies that have compared various platinum agent-based doublet regimens have demonstrated comparable efficacy between these regimens. In addition, non-platinum agent-based regimens have also demonstrated response rates and survival similar to the platinum agent-based combinations. These developments have allowed for tailoring of chemotherapy to individual patients based on factors such as toxicity profile, treatment schedule, and cost. Docetaxel is approved for first-line therapy and salvage treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC. Multiple randomized clinical trials have established the efficacy of platinum-agent/docetaxel regimens for first-line treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC. Improvements in various lung cancer-related symptoms and global quality of life indices have been noted with docetaxel-based regimens. Combination chemotherapy appears to be beneficial even for elderly patients. The current generation of clinical trials is evaluating the incorporation of molecularly targeted agents into existing 2-drug chemotherapy regimens. This article will discuss the role of docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15232, USA. ramalingams@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Surensh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramalingam
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin