The role of maintenance treatment in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: reality or early second line?
First-line platinum-based chemotherapy has reached a plateau of effectiveness for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients who reported a stable disease, no more than 4 cycles of chemotherapy are recommended while a maximum of 6 cycles is recommended in patients who are responding to therapy. A potential strategy with the aim of improving outcomes for NSCLC patients is to administer more therapy. This term includes different approaches: duration of therapy, sequential therapy, consolidation therapy, and maintenance therapy. Here, we attempt to define the different approaches that fall under the rubric of maintenance strategy, and discuss the results available to date.
Division of Medical Oncology, San Giuseppe Moscati Hospital, Avellino, Italy. cgridelli@libero.it
Cesare
C
Gridelli
Antonio
A
Rossi
Paolo
P
Maione
Rita
R
Ambrosio
Valentina
V
Barbato
Maria Anna
MA
Bareschino
Clorinda
C
Schettino
Giovanni
G
Palazzolo
Paola Claudia
PC
Sacco
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017671:Platinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017671:Platinum Compounds