Gemcitabine and carboplatin treatment in advanced NSCLC: a retrospective evaluation including elderly patients.
BACKGROUND
Carboplatin-containing regimens are sometimes preferred for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.


METHODS
Eighty-three patients with stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer received 3 to 4 cycles of carboplatin AUC 5 on day 2 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 21 days.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 43.4%. Results obtained from elderly and non-elderly groups were compared using the logrank method. Median overall survival and progression-free survival were 11 and 7 months, respectively (12 and 7 months, non-elderly group; 6.5 and 5 months, elderly group, P = 0.28 and 0.25 respectively). Grade 3-4 toxicity included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. Incidences of grade 3-4 toxicity were similar for elderly and non-elderly patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Data confirm that carboplatin-gemcitabine is an active and well-tolerated regimen in advanced non-small cell lung cancer and could be investigated in elderly patients.
Murialdo
Roberto
R
Department of Internal Medicine, "S. Martino" Hospital, Genoa, Italy. rozzis752000@yahoo.it
Boy
Davide
D
Bertolotti
Francesca
F
Martini
Maria Cristina
MC
Pastorino
Gisella
G
Sogno
Giorgio
G
Vallauri
Matteo
M
Moraglio
Lorenza
L
Tixi
Lucia
L
Angelini
Isabella
I
Saccà
Vittoria
V
Ballestrero
Alberto
A
Brema
Fulvio
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D016190:Carboplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine