title: Maintenance therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Several randomized trials have investigated the role of maintenance treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) not progressed after completion of first-line chemotherapy, with good performance score (PS) and no persistent chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Two separate strategies have been developed: the immediate use of non-cross-resistant drug (switch maintenance or early second-line therapy) or the continuation of platinum partner alone (continuation maintenance) or in combination with other drug (combination maintenance). Here we discuss how the benefits demonstrated in these studies may change clinical practice (in terms of potential toxicity and costs) and reflect on factors that may identify subgroups of patients who might benefit from maintenance therapy in general, and which maintenance therapy specifically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL, Bellaria Hospital - IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovenzio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Genestreti
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Battista
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartolotti
authors.forename: Alba A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Brandes
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine
keywords: Phase III randomized trial; advanced non-small cell lung cancer; lung cancer; maintenance therapy; review