Phase II study of 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel (Intaxel) with carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the activity and toxicity of combined 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel with carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.


METHODS
Eligibility required measurable disease; stage III B with malignant pleural effusion or stage IV disease, with a performance status (PS) of ECOG 0-2. Chemotherapy consisted of 24 hours continuous infusion of paclitaxel at 135 mg/m(2) on day 1, followed by carboplatin (AUC=6) on day 2. Treatment was repeated at 3-week intervals for a total of 6 cycles.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine patients were enrolled. Twenty six patients were male and 13 female, with a median age of 57 years (range, 38 to 72). Six patients (15%) had stage III B and 33 (85%) had stage IV. PS 0-1/2 was 67%/33%. A total of 131 cycles was administered and the median number of cycles was 4 (range, 2-6). Grade 3-4 neutropenia, grade 3-4 leukopenia and grade 3 anemia occurred in 3%, 3% and 23%, respectively. One patient (3%) developed febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 3 patients (8%). Other non-hematologic toxicities were mild including mucositis and skin rash. The overall response rate was 15%. Median survival was 8 months (range 6-9.5 months) and 1-year survival rate was 20%.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel (Intaxel) with carboplatin is a feasible and well-tolerated regimen in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients.
Charoentum
Chaiyut
C
Dept. of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Thongprasert
Sumitra
S
Chewasakulyong
Busayamas
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel