title: Multicenter randomized trial for stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer using every-3-week versus weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The combination of paclitaxel with carboplatin is effective in advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This phase III study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly versus an every-3-week schedule in the first-line treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chemotherapy-naive patients were randomized to receive paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 2 once weekly for 6-8 weeks (arm A) or paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 6 on day 1 every 21 days (arm B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 883 patients received >or= 1 chemotherapy cycle and were included in the results. The objective response rates observed (complete response plus partial response) were 38% for arm A and 33% for arm B. Median times to progression and median survival times were 6.1 months and 8.9 months in arm A and 7.2 months and 9.5 months in arm B, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatment arms. The chemotherapy was well tolerated in both schedules. However, grade 3/4 sensory neuropathy occurred more frequently with the every-3-week schedule (9.1% vs. 4.4%), whereas grade 3/4 diarrhea occurred more frequently with the weekly schedule (4.2% vs. 1.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In terms of response and survival, paclitaxel/carboplatin administered once weekly is comparable with the every-3-week schedule. Toxicity differences should be considered when choosing the appropriate schedule for the individual.
authors.affiliation: City Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Doelau, Germany. wolfgang.schuette@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schuette
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blankenburg
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guschall
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dittrich
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schweisfurth
authors.forename: Assaad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chemaissani
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schumann
authors.forename: Nikolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dickgreber
authors.forename: Tabea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Appel
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ukena
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; 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; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel