Outcome of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer patients receiving gemcitabine and weekly paclitaxel as first-line treatment

SummaryBackgroundGemcitabine and paclitaxel are both indicated for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Combinations of gemcitabine and paclitaxel with various doses and schedules were shown to be effective treatment for these patients. Nevertheless, the survival outcome of these patients is not clear.Patients and methodsPatients with advanced NSCLC in a phase II study of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine as first-line treatment were followed until their death. Second- and further-lines of treatment were recorded.ResultsThirty-seven patients receiving a total of 188 cycles of gemcitabine and paclitaxel treatment were accrued. Toxicities were mild. Twenty-three patients had partial response to treatment (overall response rate, 62%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 46–78%). Median time to treatment failure was 6.0 months. Twenty-seven (73%) patients received second-line anticancer drug treatment. Twenty-three (62%) patients were able to receive platinum doublet as second-line chemotherapy. Median survival after second-line treatment was 10.9 months. Median, 1- and 2-year survivals of 37 patients were 16.8 months, 59% and 27%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in median survival between patients who could or could not receive second-line treatment (21.9 vs. 3.1 months, p < 0.00001).ConclusionsWeekly paclitaxel with gemcitabine is effective and well tolerated as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC patients. The favorable survival may be due to platinum doublet second-line chemotherapy.