Paclitaxel/Carboplatin vs Paclitaxel/Gemcitabine in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

ABSTRACT: The Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group conducted a randomized phase III trial to compare paclitaxel (Taxol) 200 mg/m² IV 3-hour infusion on day 1 plus carboplatin (Paraplatin) at an area under the curve (AUC) of 6 (group A) with paclitaxel at the same dose plus gemcitabine (Gemzar) 1,000 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 (group B) every 3 weeks for a maximum of six cycles in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. To date, 127 eligible patients have been randomized, 63 to group A and 64 to group B, and median follow-up is 4.6 months. Preliminary results suggest that both combinations are well tolerated and can be administered at full doses. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was generally mild but more prominent in group A (10%) and thrombocytopenia was insignificant in both groups. Severe neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, or cardiac toxicity have not been recorded in the majority of patients in either group. There was a trend toward higher response rates in favor of group B (group B vs group A, 37.5% vs 21.8%, respectively), although time-to-disease progression did not differ significantly (group B vs group A, 7.25 vs 7.1 months, respectively). Further maturation of the study is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. [ONCOLOGY 14(Suppl 4):41-48, 2000]

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