[Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Duration of chemotherapy for locally advanced non small cell lung cancers].
BACKGROUND
Optimal duration of first line chemotherapy for non surgical non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still debated. It concerns the length of initial chemotherapy and the use of maintenance treatments.


METHODS
Literature review was performed on maintenance and duration of chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The use of maintenance chemotherapy showed no differences in terms of survival. One study (with gemcitabine as maintenance treatment) found a difference in terms of time to progression. Several randomized clinical trials were carried out on duration of chemotherapy. There were no impact on survival time.


CONCLUSIONS
No positive results were found with an increase of chemotherapeutic cycles. Maintenance therapy needs more additive studies. ASCO guidelines may be currently used.
Vergnenègre
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Service de Pathologie Respiratoire, Hôpital du Cluzeau, CHU Dupyutren, Limoges, France. alain.vergnenegre@unilim.fr
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013997:Time Factors