Combination second-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine and docetaxel for recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer after platinum-containing chemotherapy: a phase I/II trial

PURPOSE: In a randomized trial, docetaxel monotherapy yielded longer survival than the best supportive care in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, and combination chemotherapy regimens containing docetaxel have been assessed to enhance the efficacy of second-line chemotherapy. We conducted a phase I/II trial of gemcitabine and docetaxel in patients with recurrent NSCLC after platinum-based chemotherapy and with an ECOG performance status (PS) of 0 or 1. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Docetaxel administration was fixed at a dosage of 60 mg/m(2) on day 8, and gemcitabine was administered on days 1 and 8. The starting dose level of gemcitabine was 800 mg/m(2) (level 0), and the subsequent dose level of gemcitabine was 1000 mg/m(2) (level +1). Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. RESULTS: In the phase I study, 13 patients were enrolled, and in the phase II study, 29 patients were enrolled. Neutropenic fever and omission of treatment on day 8 due to leukopenia (leukocyte count less than 3000/mm(3)) were dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Three of six patients experienced DLTs at level +1, which was the maximum tolerated dose. Gemcitabine 800 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 plus docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) on day 8 (level 0) was recommended for the phase II study. An objective response was observed in 8 (28%) of the 29 patients. The median time to disease progression was 4.2 months (95% CI 0.9-7.7 months). The median survival time was 11.1 months (95% CI 9.9-12.4 months), and the 1-year survival rate was 41%. The most common toxicity, though mild, was hematologic, and consisted of grade 4 neutropenia (18%), grade 3 febrile neutropenia (11%), and grade 3 thrombocytopenia (11%). There were no toxic deaths. Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities included nausea (4%) and rash (4%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination chemotherapy of gemcitabine and docetaxel is active and well tolerated in patients with recurrent NSCLC after platinum-based chemotherapy and with a good PS.