title: An open multicenter phase II trial of weekly docetaxel for advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer in elderly patients with significant comorbidity and/or poor performance status: The GFPC 02-02b study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and activity of weekly docetaxel monotherapy in frail elderly patients with advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer, selected on the basis of their precise age, general condition, and number of comorbid disorders (Charlson score).
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the response rate, toxicity, quality of life, median survival and 1-year survival rates after 1-3 six-week cycles of docetaxel 30mg/m(2) weekly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were enrolled and 42 were assessable. Five patients (10%, [3.7-22.6]) had objective responses, 14 (28%, [16.9-41.6]) had stable disease, and 23 (46%, [32.6-52.8]) progressed. The main grade 3-4 toxicity was fatigue (30%). Quality of life remained stable during treatment. The median survival time was 4.3 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 21.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In frail elderly patients selected on the basis of their age, general condition and comorbidity, weekly docetaxel monotherapy has acceptable toxicity and does not negatively affect quality of life. In contrast, it has only moderate activity.
authors: Service de Pneumologie, CH de Draguignan Route Montferrat, 83300 Draguignan, France. herve.lecaer@ch-draguignan.fr
authors: Hervé
authors: H
authors: LeCaer
authors: Fabrice
authors: F
authors: Barlesi
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Robinet
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Fournel
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Geriniere
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Bombaron
authors: Lionel
authors: L
authors: Falchero
authors: Jean Baptiste
authors: JB
authors: Auliac
authors: Jacky
authors: J
authors: Crequit
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Chouaid
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel