Weekly Chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Paclitaxel in Inoperable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: An Extended Phase II Study

Abstract

Background: A phase II study of a cisplatin/paclitaxel combination given on a weekly schedule in the front-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is reported. Patients and Methods: Treatment consisted of an intravenous infusion of cisplatin, 25 mg/m², and paclitaxel, 80 mg/m², every week. Chemotherapy was continued until completion of a 22-week treatment plan, disease progression, persistent toxicity, or patient refusal. Results: Seventy-nine patients entered the study. The median number of infusions per patient was 14 (range 0-22). The median dose-intensity was 75% of that projected. Toxicity was generally acceptable, and never life-threatening. Seven complete responses (pathologically documented in 4 patients) and 27 partial responses were observed for an overall response rate of 43%. The estimated median survival and median time to progression was 55 (95% CI: 38-71) and 37 weeks (95% CI: 31-44), respectively. Conclusion: In our experience, the weekly combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel is well tolerated, active and associated with remarkably long survivals.