A randomized phase II trial of single-agent gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have poor performance status and/or are elderly.
BACKGROUND
Patients with poor performance status and/or are elderly are frequently considered a compromised group at high risk of chemotherapy-related morbidities and less likely to benefit from treatment. We aimed to evaluate tolerability and efficacy of three single-agent regimens in these patients.


METHODS
Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who had performance status 2/3 and/or were aged 70 and older were randomly assigned to receive gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or docetaxel. Objective response, toxicities, and quality of life were evaluated.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-five patients were registered, of whom one was ineligible. Of the 134 patients, 43 received gemcitabine, 45 vinorelbine, and 46 docetaxel. The response rate was 16%, 20%, 22% for gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and docetaxel, respectively. The main grade 3/4 toxicities were fatigue (18%) and neutropenia (16%). There was improvement in global health scores, cough, and dyspnea for all treatment groups. The improvement in dyspnea was most marked in patients with performance status 3.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant advantage of any of the treatment arms over the rest. There was benefit seen with improvement of quality of life in patients who were able to receive more cycles of chemotherapy.
Leong
Swan Swan
SS
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore. dmolss@nccs.com.sg
Toh
Chee Keong
CK
Lim
Wan Teck
WT
Lin
Xu
X
Tan
Say Beng
SB
Poon
Donald
D
Tay
Miah Hiang
MH
Foo
Kian Fong
KF
Ho
Juliana
J
Tan
Eng Huat
EH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine