Phase II trial of weekly docetaxel and gemcitabine as first-line therapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background A platinum doublet has been the standard treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and good performance status. This treatment results in almost a doubling of 1-yr survival, along with an improvement in quality of life despite treatment-related toxicities. However, platinum-based treatment may be associated with significant toxicity. Materials and Methods In this trial, we prospectively evaluated a weekly regimen of docetaxel and gemcitabine for advanced NSCLC. The endpoints of this study included objective response rate, survival, and toxicity. Forty-two patients with previously untreated, advanced NSCLC with PS 0-1 were included. Patients received docetaxel (36 mg/m²) and gemcitabine (600 mg/m²) on d 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-d cycle. Responses were assessed every two cycles. The median age was 63 yr; with 22 males and 20 females; 67% were ≥60 years old; and 38 patients had stage IV disease. Results In the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis of response, 16 patients had a partial response (38%) and 15 patients had stable disease (36%). The 1-yr survival was 48%; median survival for all patients was 11.3 mo and the median progression-free survival was 5.1 mo. Toxicities (≥grade 3) included neutropenia (29%), asthenia (26%), diarrhea (14%), thrombocytopenia (10%), pneumonitis (7%), peripheral neuropathy (5%), peripheral edema (5%), nail changes (2%), and myositis (2%). Conclusions This study demonstrated that this non-platinum doublet (docetaxel+gemcitabine) given on a weekly schedule for advanced NSCLC was well tolerated with efficacy comparable to that reported with platinum-based chemotherapy regimens.     

Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine for previously untreated, stage IIIB-IV nonsmall cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of the noncisplatin-based combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine administered weekly for patients with untreated metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Patients with Stage IIIB/IV or recurrent NSCLC, a performance status of 0-2, and no prior chemotherapy exposure were eligible. Patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 85 mg/m2 on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 of an 8-week cycle until progression. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eligible patients were enrolled. The median age was 66 years and 14 patients were > or =70 years old. Performance status was 2 in 13 (33%) and 29 patients (75%) had Stage IV. Five patients (12.8%) developed interstitial pneumonitis and 2 of these were responsive to steroid therapy. The overall response rate was 23.1%, with no complete responses. The median survival was 32 weeks and the 1-year survival was 32%. CONCLUSIONS: This regimen of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine has modest activity in advanced NSCLC.     

Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel in previously untreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE: New effective therapy is desirable for outpatients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fractionated administration of paclitaxel may be less toxic and more active against NSCLC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel therapy for chemotherapy-naive NSCLC. METHODS: Patients with pathological or cytological diagnosis of NSCLC, measurable lesions, and no prior therapy were enrolled. We administered weekly infusions of 80 mg/m(2) paclitaxel 3 times in a 4-week cycle. In the absence of progressive disease or intolerable toxicity, we treated each patient for a minimum of four cycles. RESULTS: Of 35 patients enrolled, 17 patients achieved partial response, although no complete responses were observed (response rate 49%; 95% confidence interval 32-66%). The median survival time was 55 weeks (range 6-93 weeks). Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia occurred in only 1 patient (3%). Neurotoxicity was the most frequent adverse effect (grades 1 and 2, 26 and 3%, respectively). Serious toxicity, observed in 2 patients (6%), was interstitial pneumonia, and 1 patient died from sequela. CONCLUSION: Low-dose weekly paclitaxel is a promising therapy for advanced NSCLC with high effectiveness and low toxicity.     

泰索帝每周给药联合顺铂一线治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床研究

目的确定泰索帝每周给药联合顺铂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的最大耐受剂量（MTD）和剂量限制毒性（DLT）,观察其疗效（RR）和安全性,并进行药代动力学研究。方法泰索帝每周给药,连用3周,休息1周,顺铂每周期的第1天给药;每28d为1个治疗周期。顺铂的剂量为75mg／m^2。泰索帝在Ⅰ期临床阶段共有4个剂量组：25mg／m^2、30mg／m^2、35mg／m^2和40mg／m^2,每个剂量组至少人选3例患者。在Ⅱ期临床阶段,根据Ⅰ期临床推荐剂量,泰索帝35mg／m^2每周给药。药代动力学为第一周期第1天和第15天抽取血样待分析。根据Ⅰ期临床研究推荐剂量,进行Ⅱ期临床研究。结果Ⅰ期临床的15例患者中,有14例可评价疗效,其中5例部分缓解,有效率为35．7％,其中位生存时间16个月（范围5-40个月）。1、2、3年生存率分别为73．3％、26．6％和20．0％。中位疾病进展时间9个月（6～14个月）。Ⅱ期临床研究的83例初治的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者共接受了216个周期的化疗,可评价者75例。有1例患者完全缓解,22例患者部分缓解,占全部人组病例的27．7％（23／83）,占可评价病例的30．7％（23／75）;其中位生存时间为10．7个月（范围3—34个月）,1年生存率为48．6％。主要不良反应为Ⅲ-Ⅳ度的粒细胞减少以及乏力、指甲毒性及液体潴留。结论泰索帝（35mg／m^2）每周给药联合顺铂（75mg／m^2）作为一线方案治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌,疗效较好,骨髓毒性较小。     

Phase I study of irinotecan and gemcitabine in previously untreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan and gemcitabine are effective against non-small cell lung cancer. We conducted a phase I study of the combined use of irinotecan and gemcitabine in previously untreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer to determine dose-limiting toxicities and maximum tolerated dose. METHODS: Patients were treated with irinotecan followed by gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Gemcitabine dose was fixed at 1000 mg/m2, and irinotecan dose was increased from 60 mg/m2. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients was enrolled. Maximum tolerated dose of irinotecan was determined up to level 3 (irinotecan 100 mg/m2). In Japan, the maximum approved weekly dose of irinotecan is 100 mg/m2, so this was the dose that was used. Only very mild hematological and non-hematological toxicities were noted. CONCLUSION: Use of 100 mg/m2 irinotecan followed by 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks warrants a phase II study.     

Results of a phase II multicenter trial of weekly docetaxel and gemcitabine as first-line therapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: Standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of platinum based combination chemotherapy but efficacy is limited and treatment can be toxic. This trial evaluated a weekly regimen of docetaxel and gemcitabine for advanced NSCLC. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Other endpoints were 1-year survival, median survival, median duration of response, median disease-free progression, safety, and quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with advanced NSCLC were treated. Patients received docetaxel (1 per week, 36 mg/m(2)) weeks 1-6 and gemcitabine (1 per week, 900 mg/m(2)) weeks 1, 2, 4, and 5. Each 8-week cycle was repeated for a total of three cycles. Patients completed quality of life surveys (FACT-L) before each cycle. RESULTS: The median age was 68.5 years; 74% were >60 years old. In the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis of response, 10 patients had a partial response (20%) and five patients had stable disease (10%). The 1-year survival was 32%; median survival for all patients was 6.9 months (range, <1-26.2) and the median progression-free survival was 5.1 months (range, <1-25.5). Toxicities (> grade 3) included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, GI disorders (nausea, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, stomach pain), and asthenia; 10 patients experienced hematological toxicities that were > grade 3. Quality of life decreased during the study. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the nonplatinum doublet (docetaxel + gemcitabine) given on a weekly schedule for advanced NSCLC had efficacy similar to that reported with other regimens and was well tolerated. Therefore, this non-platinum based regimen appears promising and warrants further evaluation.     

Randomized phase II trial of gemcitabine plus weekly versus three-weekly paclitaxel in previously untreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Gemcitabine and paclitaxel (Taxol) each provides an efficacious non-platinum option for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the optimal dosage and schedule of the two agents used in combination are not well defined. METHODS: Previously untreated patients with advanced NSCLC were randomized to receive gemcitabine-paclitaxel on a traditional three-weekly schedule (Arm A) or a novel weekly schedule (Arm B) as follows-Arm A (three-weekly): gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 infused>30 min on days 1 and 8 and paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 infused>3 h on day 1 of a 21-day cycle or Arm B (weekly): gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 infused>30 min and paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 infused>1 h, both administered on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. RESULTS: One hundred patients received at least one dose of treatment. The weekly schedule, Arm B, was more efficacious and less hematologically toxic than Arm A. Confirmed complete and partial response rates were 28.2% and 26.8%, respectively. Median survival was 10.3 months on Arm B and 7.9 months on Arm A (log-rank P=0.10); 1- and 2-year survival rates also favor Arm B: 42.0% versus 34.0% and 18.0% versus 6.0%. Progression-free survival was 5.8 versus 4.8 months, again favoring Arm B (log-rank P=0.06). There was a two-fold lower frequency of grade 3/4 hematologic events with Arm B as follows: neutropenia (16% versus 30%), thrombocytopenia (4% versus 8%), and anemia (2% versus 6%). One patient (2%) in each treatment group developed febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION: In this trial, both schedules were efficacious and tolerable, although the weekly schedule resulted in improved survival and lower hematologic toxicity compared with a three-weekly schedule. The weekly schedule of gemcitabine-paclitaxel indicates an improved therapeutic index.     

Phase I study of the combination of gemcitabine and nedaplatin for treatment of previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer

This trial was conducted to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), principal toxicity, and recommend dose for phase II study of the combination of gemcitabine and nedaplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with previously untreated NSCLC were eligible if they had a performance status of 0-2, were 75 years or younger, and had adequate organ function. The doses of gemcitabine (days 1, 8) and nedaplatin (day 1) studied were 800/60, 800/70, 800/80, 1000/80, and 1000/100 (mg/m(2)), repeated every 3 weeks. Toxicity could be assessed in all 21 patients enrolled, response could be assessed in 20 patients. The patients were 12 men and 9 women with a mean age of 69 years (range, 47-75 years). Four patients had stage IIIB disease and 17 patients had stage IV disease. The most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma. The MTD was not reached even at the highest doses. The most frequent toxic effects were thrombocytopenia and neutropenia: grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 19% of patients, and grade 3 or 4 neutropenia in 24% of patients. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. Grade 3 hepatic dysfunction occurred in 3 patients. Relatively few patients required dose modifications. The median dose-intensities were 91.5 and 93.1%, respectively, of the planned doses of gemcitabine and nedaplatin. The overall response rate was 35% (95% confidence interval, 15.4-59.2%). All responses were seen above level 3. The MTD was not reached even at the highest combination doses. We recommend doses of 1000 mg/m(2) of gemcitabine and 100 mg/m(2) of nedaplatin for phase II study. This combination chemotherapy is active and well tolerated and warrants phase II study.     

Phase I/II trial of docetaxel and carboplatin in previously untreated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background. This trial was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and principal toxicities of combinations of docetaxel and carboplatin administered every 3 weeks to patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously untreated with chemotherapy, and to find suitable doses for phase II studies in Japanese subjects. Methods. Japanese patients with advanced NSCLC and performance status 0 to 2 according to the World Health Organization classification, but previously untreated with chemotherapy received docetaxel followed by carboplatin, each infused over a 1-h period. The carboplatin dose was based on the target area under the curve (AUC), using Calvert's formula. Dose levels studied were: docetaxel (mg/m²)/carboplatin AUC (mg/ml·min), 50/4, 60/4, and 60/5, repeated every 3 weeks. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support was first used when dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were encountered. Results. Of 14 patients entered, 12 were assessable for toxicity and response. The MTD schedule was: docetaxel, 60 mg/m², with carboplatin, AUC 5 mg/ml·min (DLTs in 3 of 3 patients). The recommended dosage was: docetaxel, 60 mg/m², with carboplatin, AUC 4 mg/ml·min (DLTs in 2 of 6 patients). The main toxic effect was neutropenia, and any nonhematologic toxic effects were mild. No thrombocytopenia occurred. Six of the 12 patients (50%) showed responses; 4 of the 6 at the recommended doses. Conclusion. Docetaxel 60 mg/m², given over a 1-h period, followed by carboplatin, AUC 4 mg/ml·min, given over a 1-h period, is recommended for phase II studies in Japan. This combined chemotherapy has mild toxicity, except for neutropenia, and is useful and easy to administer. We therefore believe that phase II and phase III studies of this therapy would be well justified. Received: October 4, 1999 / Accepted: June 28, 2000     

Phase II study of combination chemotherapy with S-1 and weekly cisplatin in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy with S-1 and low-dose weekly cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this phase II trial, previously untreated patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were treated with oral administration of S-1 at 80 mg/m(2) for 21 days and three consecutive weekly low doses of cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) followed by a 2-week rest period. Twenty-six patients were eligible for the assessment of efficacy and safety. Six partial responses were observed with an overall response rate of 23.1% (95% confidence interval: 12.3-31.6%). The median survival time and median progression-free survival were 13.4 months and 5.4 months, respectively. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities were observed in 9 patients (34.6%), including one grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. As for non-hematologic adverse reactions, although grade 3 events were observed in 4 patients (15.3%), no severe renal toxicity or vomiting was found. S-1 and weekly low-dose cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC showed an acceptable response rate, overall survival time, and toxicity. Because this regimen can be performed in an outpatient setting, it might be an alternative useful and convenient option. Further investigations with a large population are required to confirm our results.     

Phase II study of carboplatin combined with weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

This phase II study is performed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of carboplatin combined with weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and methods

All patients were treated with the combination of docetaxel 35 mg/m² by IV infusion over 30–60 min weekly, on days 1, 8, and 15, for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest, with intravenous carboplatin (AUC 6) administered immediately afterward on day 1. Cycles were repeated every 28 days.

Results

Forty-seven (95.9%) of the 49 patients were assessable for response, one case of complete response and 17 cases of partial response were confirmed, giving an overall response rate of 36.7% (95% CI 23.2–50.2%). The median time to progression and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 5.2 months (95% CI 4.1–6.3 months) and 10.4 months (95% CI 7.3–13.5 months), respectively. The estimate of OS at 12 months was 37.6% (95% CI 24.0–51.2%). The most severe hematologic adverse event was anemia, which occurred with grade 3/4 intensity in 7 (14.9%) patients. Neutropenia occurred with grade 3 intensity in 4 (8.5%) patients. However, no grade 4 neutropenia was observed. Grade 3 nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, asthenia, nail changes, and skin reaction were observed in 6 (12.8%), 3 (6.4%), 2 (4.3%), 2 (4.3%) and 1 (2.1%) patients. Yet, no grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity was observed.

Conclusions

The combination of carboplatin with weekly docetaxel is a tolerated treatment modality with encouraging activity and survival outcome in previously untreated patients with advanced NSCLC.     

Phase I trial of weekly docetaxel in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Recent experience with weekly administration of docetaxel has demonstrated less myelotoxicity and suggested that this regimen holds promise for elderly patients at the high risk of myelosuppression. However, in this phase I trial of weekly docetaxel conducted only in elderly patients (70 years old or more) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the toxicity profile was markedly different from that in previous reports. The dose-limiting toxicities were neutropenia, diarrhea and infection, all of which were observed at a dose of 30 mg/m(2)/week and the maximum-tolerated dose by protocol definition was 30 mg/m(2)/week. Although other hematological and non-hematological toxicities observed in this treatment were generally moderate and were well tolerated by elderly patients with NSCLC, the risk of myelosuppression still requires careful attention.     

Phase II trial of low-dose gemcitabine in prolonged infusion and cisplatin for advanced non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of gemcitabine at a low dose of 250 mg/m(2) in 6h prolonged infusion with cisplatin in chemonaive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight chemonaive patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were included, 39 males and 19 females, with a median age 61 years (range 28-73). Thirty-four (58.6%) patients had adenocarcinoma, 18 (31.0%) squamous cell, and 6 (10.4%) others. Seventeen (29.3%) had stage IIIB and 41 (70.7%) stage IV. Treatment consisted of 250 mg/m(2) gemcitabine in a 6h infusion on days 1 and 8, and cisplatin at 75 mg/m(2) on day 2 of a 3-week cycle. A total of 219 chemotherapy cycles were administered, with a median of 4 cycles per patient (range 1-6). RESULTS: Of the 58 patients enrolled, all were evaluated for toxicity and 56 assessed for response. The overall response rate was 39.3% (95% confidence interval, 26.5-52.1%) with complete and partial responses of 3.6 and 35.7%, respectively. The median time to disease progression was 5.5 months (95% CI, 4.3-6.7 months), and median overall survival time was 10.5 months (95% CI, 8.5-12.5 months). One-year survival rate was 41.4%. Hematologic toxicity was fairly mild, and grades 3-4 hematologic toxicities consisted of neutropenia in 18.9% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 10.3%, and anemia in 6.9%. No patients required platelet transfusions, no bleeding episodes were recorded, and three patients received packed red blood cells (RBC) transfusions. The main nonhematologic toxicities included grade 3 nausea/vomiting in 27.6% of patients, grade 1-2 alopecia in 63.8%, and grade 1-2 skin rash in 17.3 %. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose gemcitabine in 6h prolonged infusion plus cisplatin is effective in NSCLC treatment. Toxicity, especially myelosuppression, is remarkably mild.     

A phase II study of weekly gemcitabine and paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated stage IIIb and IV non-small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of paclitaxel as a second-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This multicentric trial included patients who had failed to a first-line chemotherapy with platinum derivatives and/or ifosfamide. After registration, patients were treated by paclitaxel i.v. at a dose of 225 mg/m(2) given over 3 h administered every 3 weeks. Response was assessed after three courses of therapy. Sixty-seven patients were registered, one was ineligible and 64 were assessable for response. Two partial responses were observed (3% of the eligible patients; 95% confidence interval: 0-7%). No change was documented in 16 cases (24%). Tolerance was acceptable, the main toxicity being cumulative polyneuropathy. Median survival duration was 4.5 months with a 1-year rate at 19%. We concluded that paclitaxel is not active in terms of response as second-line chemotherapy for NSCLC.     

低剂量持续静脉滴注吉西他滨一线治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床研究

背景与目的:目前已将吉西他滨联合顺铂作为晚期非小细胞肺癌的一线化疗方案,吉西他滨的常规使用剂量和方法是1000mg/m2半小时静脉滴注,第1、8天,每3周为一个疗程。本研究旨在评价低剂量吉西他滨持续6h静脉滴注联合顺铂一线治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的有效性和安全性。方法:48例经病理和/或细胞学检查确诊、未经化疗的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者,采用吉西他滨250mg/m2持续静脉滴注6h,第1、8天,顺铂75mg/m2,每3周为一疗程,连续使用2疗程以上。结果:48例患者中46例可评价疗效,所有患者可评价不良反应。完全缓解率2.2%,部分缓解率30.3%,总有效率为32.5%,中位治疗至进展时间为5.1个月,中位生存时间为10.2个月,1年生存率36.6%。白细胞减少发生率为60.4%,血小板减少发生率为39.5%,Ⅲ～Ⅳ度的白细胞和血小板减少发生率分别为20.8%和12.5%。结论:低剂量吉西他滨持续6h静脉滴注联合顺铂一线治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌疗效确切、不良反应轻。     

吉西他滨调整方案治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的Ⅱ期临床试验

背景与目的吉西他滨与铂类的联合化疗是晚期非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)最常用的治疗方案。通常3周方案中的吉西他滨需间隔1周给药。为提高依从性,本研究将吉西他滨第8天给药时间调整为第5天,并评价调整方案一线治疗晚期NSCLC的疗效及安全性。方法 2007年10月-2009年10月共入组83例晚期NSCLC患者,采用吉西他滨1,000mg/m2-1,250mg/m2第1天、第5天静脉滴注30min,联合顺铂75mg/m2,或联合卡铂(AUC=5)第1天静滴,每21天为1周期,每例至少完成2周期治疗后评价疗效,观察毒性反应及无进展生存期和总生存期。结果 83例患者的客观有效率为37.3%,中位无进展生存期和中位生存期分别为6.1个月和15.0个月,1年、2年生存率分别为57.8%与16.2%。调整方案的主要不良反应为血液学毒性与胃肠道反应,III度-IV度白细胞、血红蛋白、血小板减少发生率分别为26.5%、10.8%、7.2%,联合顺铂治疗组III度-IV度胃肠道反应发生率为27.5%。无治疗相关死亡。结论吉西他滨联合铂类5天调整方案一线治疗晚期NSCLC疗效肯定,毒副反应可耐受,值得进一步开展随机对照研究。     

Phase II study of docetaxel and cisplatin administered as three consecutive weekly infusions for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Weekly administration of low-dose taxane reduces myelosuppression and increases dose intensity as compared with an every third week schedule. We conducted a phase II trial of weekly docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to evaluate safety and efficacy. Thirty-seven patients with chemona?ve stage IIIB (n=15), stage IV (n=16), or recurrence after operation (n=6) NSCLC received intravenous infusions of docetaxel at 35 mg/m(2) and cisplatin at 25 mg/m(2) for three consecutive weeks, followed by a week of rest. There were ten partial responses for an objective response rate of 30% (95% confidence interval (CI), 15-46%) in 33 evaluable patients and 27% (95% CI, 13-41%) in the intent-to-treatment population. The median survival was 12.8 months (range 2.5-17.1), and the 1-year survival was 54%. Hematologic toxicities, which were mild, included grade 4 neutropenia in 6%. There were none with febrile neutropenia or severe (grade 3-4) infections, and no septic deaths. The common nonhematologic toxicities included grade 2-3 nausea and vomiting (44%) and grade 2-3 diarrhea (14%). Consecutive weekly administrations of docetaxel and cisplatin for 3 weeks produces minimal myelosuppression and shows activity in the treatment of chemona?ve patients with advanced NSCLC. A randomized phase III trial is warranted to compare this 3 consecutive weeks protocol with administration of docetaxel and cisplatin every third week.     

Phase II randomized trial of tri-weekly versus days 1 and 8 weekly docetaxel as a second-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: For orientals, titrating doses of docetaxel (60-66 mg/m(2)) have shown equal effectiveness and fewer side effects as a second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Under such doses, there were no comparative data between classic tri-weekly and Days 1 and 8 weekly schedules. METHODS: This Phase II randomized prospective study was designed to compare the toxicity profile, efficacy and quality-of-life (QOL) between these two schedules of docetaxel in the treatment of previously treated patients with advanced NSCLC. Fifty patients were randomized to docetaxel arm A (66 mg/m(2) Day 1) and B (33 mg/m(2) Days 1 and 8) given every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The overall response rates (ORRs) were 12 and 24% in arm A and B, respectively (P = 0.46), and disease control rates were 52 and 48%. The median time-to-progression (TTP) was 11.3 and 12.7 weeks and median survivals were 33.4 and 27.6 weeks, respectively. Both arms have same 1 year (36%) and 2 year survivals (12%). Arm A had significantly higher neutropenia but less compromised QOL. In this study, the response of second-line chemotherapy was significantly better in the group that was response to front-line chemotherapy (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: While Days 1 and 8 weekly docetaxel schedules show higher ORR and less hematological toxicity, there is no advantage to tri-week schedule in terms of TTP and survival, but more compromised QOL.     

A phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine in non-small cell lung cancer patients previously treated with platinum and vinorelbine

This study evaluated the activity and toxicity of a weekly paclitaxel plus gemcitabine combination as second-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks were administered to 34 consecutive, advanced NSCLC patients uniformly pretreated with cisplatin or carboplatin and vinorelbine. The median time interval from first- to second-line treatment was 8 weeks (range 1-72). A total of 124 cycles with a median of 3 cycles per patient were administered (range 1-6). Four patients (12%) achieved a partial response (95% confidence interval: 1-23%), 17 had stable disease (50%) and 12 progressed (37%). Three responses were observed in 14 patients showing disease response or stabilization to previous platinum therapy. The median survival was 28 weeks (range 3-91), the median progression-free survival was 12 weeks (range 3-50) and the 1-year survival rate was 23%. The toxicity profile was favorable. In conclusion, a weekly schedule of paclitaxel plus gemcitabine as a second-line regimen has moderate activity and good tolerability in NSCLC patients not refractory to previous platinum-vinorelbine treatment.     

Phase II study with gemcitabine, ifosfamide and cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical activity and toxicity of a novel chemotherapy combination regimen of gemcitabine, ifosfamide and cisplatin (GIP), administered every 3 weeks, in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From October 1998 to July 1999, 18 previously untreated stages IIIb (4) and IV (14) patients were enrolled into the study. Gemcitabine and ifosfamide (with mesna as uroprotection) was administered on days 1 and 6, at a dose of 1000 and 1500 mg/m², respectively; and cisplatin was given on day 1 at a dose of 60 mg/m², every 3 weeks. All 18 patients were evaluable for response and toxicity profiles. One patient achieved a complete response, and 11 patients achieved a partial response, with an overall response rate of 66.7% (95% CI, 45–89%). The main toxicity was hematological, a NCI grade 3–4 neutropenia in 16 patients (88.9%) during the treatment course. Febrile neutropenia occurred in three patients (16.6%). Grade 3 anemia occurred in eight patients (44.4%) and grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 11 patients (61.1%). Non-hematological toxicity was mild and tolerable. No toxic death occurred. The median survival was 12.7 months and 1 year survival was 58.4%. The GIP combination chemotherapy produced a high response rate in advanced NSCLC; however, there was a relatively high percentage of hematological toxicity that still could be tolerated. A randomized trial comparing GIP to a two-drug combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is planned.