Combination therapy with docetaxel and low dose of cisplatin in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: multicenter phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy with docetaxel and cisplatin (CDDP) at low doses in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.


METHODS
A total of 42 patients aged > or =70 years with previously untreated advanced NSCLC received docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) plus CDDP 50 mg/m(2) on day 1. The regimen was repeated every 21 days. Patients received a minimum of three courses unless progressive disease was detected.


RESULTS
By intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 31% (95% CI, 17.8-47.2%). A total of 18 patients (43%) had stable disease and 11 (26%) progressed. Median time to progression was 5.2 months. Overall median survival was 8.9 months, with 1-year actuarial survival rate of 41%. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was improved in 18 patients (43%). The chemotherapy regimen was well tolerated. A total of 11 patients (26%) had grade 3/4 adverse events: 7 (17%) neutropenia (one of them was diagnosed with febrile neutropenia), 3 (7%) asthenia, 3 (7%) nausea/vomiting, 1 (2%) diarrhea, 1 (2%) thrombocytopenia and 1 (2%) neurotoxicity. No death due to toxicity was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of low-dose CDDP and docetaxel for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC is an efficient and well-tolerated chemotherapeutic approach.
Feliu
Jaime
J
Medical Oncology Service, La Paz Hospital, P masculine de la Castellana, Madrid, Spain. jaimefeliu@hotmail.com
Firvida
Jose Luis
JL
Castro
Javier
J
Madroñal
Catherina
C
Rodríguez-Jaráiz
Angeles
A
Salgado
Mercedes
M
Belda-Iniesta
Cristóbal
C
Casado
Enrique
E
García-Mata
Jesús
J
González-Barón
Manuel
M
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin