Phase I/II investigation of paclitaxel, ifosfamide and carboplatin for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

A phase II study of sequential docetaxel and gemcitabine followed by docetaxel and carboplatin as first-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Our study involves a preliminary phase II trial, which evaluates the activity, feasibility and tolerability of a sequential combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine followed by docetaxel and carboplatin, as first-line treatment for inoperable NSCLC. Twenty-six chemo-naïve patients aged less than 75 years with histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable stage IIIB, IV or relapsed post-operative metastatic NSCLC were included in the study. Gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) was administered and was followed by docetaxel 65 mg/m(2). Treatment was administered on days 1 and 14 in a 28-day cycle for three consecutive cycles. If patients had no progressive disease after three cycles of chemotherapy, they received another three cycles of docetaxel 65 mg/m(2) followed by carboplatin AUC5 on day 1 in a 21-day cycle. Recombinant human granocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was given prophylactically. In addition, all patients received standard pre- and post- treatment with oral dexamethasone. Response rates at three cycles were: 19% achieved a partial response (PR), 46% had stable disease (SD) and 23% had progressive disease. At six cycles, 8% of the patients maintained PR, 19% showed SD and 35% had progressive disease. The median time-to-disease progression was 6 months. The median survival time of patients was 10 months while, at the end of the first year, the patients who managed to get through the complete therapy (20 patients) had a survival rate of 38%. This detailed analysis of 20 patients showed that 80% of the patients survived for up to 6 months, 38% up to 12 months and 19% for more than a year. The only risk factor associated with the hazard of death among the factors studied was the performance status of the patients. Patients with PS=0 presented a median survival time of 13 months and those with PS=1, it was only 9 months. Non-haematological and haematological toxic effects were generally mild to moderate and entirely manageable.

A Phase II Study of the Docetaxel- Ifosfamide-Carboplatin Combination in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

In the present phase II study we evaluated the docetaxel-ifosfamide-carboplatin (DICb) combination in the outpatient setting in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced NSCLC (stages IIIB/IV), WHO performance status (PS) <2, and no prior chemotherapy were eligible. Chemotherapy drug doses were: docetaxel: 80 mg/m2, ifosfamide: 3.5 g/m2, and carboplatin at a target area under the curve of 5 (based on Calvert's formula), all on day 1, followed by prophylactic G-CSF.

RESULTS

Fourty patients were entered and all are evaluable for response and toxicity: median age: 64 (48-72); PS: 1 (0-1); gender: 29 males/11 females; stages: IIIB: 13 (33%), IV: 27 (67%). Metastatic sites at diagnosis included: lymph nodes: 25; bone: 7; liver: 4; brain: 5; lung nodules: 13; adrenals: 6. Responses were as follows: 22/40 [55%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 54-81%] evaluable patients responded: 4 complete responses, 18 partial responses, 11 had stable disease, and 7 had progressive disease. The median response duration was 7 months (range 2-14 months), median time to progression 9 months (range 2-18 months) and median overall survival 11 months (range 3-46+ months). 1-year survival was 47.5%. Grade 3/4 toxicities included: neutropenia 28/40, with 12 developing grade 4 and 12% febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia grade 3: 3/40 and grade 4: 1/40, no grade 3 neuropathy, grade 1 CNS toxicity in 3, no renal toxicity, 8 grade 2 diarrhea and 4 grade 3 vomiting.

CONCLUSION

In the present phase II study the DICb combination yielded important activity and good tolerability in advanced NSCLC.