A multicenter, randomized phase III study of docetaxel + cisplatin (DC) vs docetaxel + carboplatin (DCb) vs vinorelbine + cisplatin (VC) in chemotherapy-naive patients (Pts) with advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Taxanes in the treatment of advanced (stage III and IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): recent developments

Taxanes, paclitaxel, and docetaxel have become the cornerstone of both first-line and second-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, several pivotal phase III randomized trials have been published. These studies and phase II trials will be discussed. Additionally, studies utilizing a taxane and radiation therapy for resectable and locally advanced NSCLC will be outlined. The article will end with a discussion on newer strategies being currently explored to improve survival in 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.