Impact of third-generation drugs on the activity of first-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analytical approach.
BACKGROUND
The therapeutic equivalence of different third-generation agents in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has long been accepted, although recent studies seem to suggest some superiority of gemcitabine- or docetaxel-containing regimens over other third-generation doublets.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the relative impact of different third-generation drugs on the activity of first-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer by considering both response and progressive disease (PD) rates as outcome measures.


METHODS
Published and unpublished data were collected from randomized trials comparing a gemcitabine-, docetaxel-, vinorelbine- or paclitaxel-containing regimen with one or more gemcitabine-, docetaxel-, vinorelbine- or paclitaxel-free combinations. For each study, 2 x 2 tables were constructed for both response and immediate progression. Pooled odds ratios were calculated using a general variance-based method.


RESULTS
Forty-five trials (11,867 patients) were eligible. The odds of obtaining an objective response to treatment were similar across different regimens. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy was associated with a 14% lower risk for immediate progression, whereas patients receiving paclitaxel showed a 22% higher risk for having PD as the best response. Docetaxel treatment provided a nonsignificant 9% lower odds for progression.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that different third-generation regimens have comparable activity in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy provides better disease control, whereas the risk for immediate progression is significantly higher when paclitaxel-containing regimens are used.
Medical Oncology A, Disease Management Team-Lung Cancer, National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi 10, Genoa, Italy. francesco.grossi@istge.it
Francesco
F
Grossi
Marianna
M
Aita
Carlotta
C
Defferrari
Francesco
F
Rosetti
Annalisa
A
Brianti
Gianpiero
G
Fasola
Orazio
O
Vinante
Paolo
P
Pronzato
Giovanni
G
Pappagallo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic