title: A pilot study of a metronomic chemotherapy regimen with weekly low-dose docetaxel for previously treated non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-dose metronomic (LDM) chemotherapy is a novel approach that involves frequent administration of a low dose of chemotherapeutic agent without a long interval.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this clinical pilot study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of LDM chemotherapy with weekly low-dose docetaxel for previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The enrolled patients received 15 mg/m2of docetaxel intravenously on a weekly basis without any interval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in the study; 20 were men, and seven were women. The median age was 62 years (range: 32-75). Eleven patients were stage IIIB, and 16 were stage IV. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 or 1. There was no severe hematological adverse effect; importantly, there was no neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. The objective response rate was 7.4% and the disease control rate was 51.9%. The median survival time was 16.4 months (95% CI: 5.7-36.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary results indicate that our metronomic regimen was well tolerated and active in patients with previously treated NSCLC. Thus, further investigation of this LDM regimen is warranted.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi City, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yokoi
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi City, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tamaki
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi City, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi City, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Shosaku
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nomura
keywords: docetaxel; metronomic chemotherapy; optimal biological dose