Final results and pharmacoeconomic analysis of a trial comparing two neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) regimens followed by surgery in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A phase II randomised study by the European Lung Cancer Working

Induction cisplatin-based CT improves survival in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to determine the respective activity of third-generation (gemcitabine-vinorelbine-cisplatin [GVP]) in comparison with second-generation drugs CT (mitomycine-ifosfamide-cisplatin [MIP]) and their cost-effectiveness as neoadjuvant CT before surgery in NSCLC. Patients with histologically proven initially untreated resectable stages I-III NSCLC were randomised between three courses of MIP or GVP followed by surgery. A two-stage Simon design was used for each arm with resectability rate as primary endpoint. A cost minimisation analysis, considering the direct medical costs, was performed in the Belgian and French social security systems. From 2001 to 2007, 140 patients (pts) were randomised (MIP 69, GVP 71). Main characteristics were: stage I/II/III in 52, 37 and 51 pts, squamous histology in 82 pts, male 114 pts, median PS 90. Objective response rates to induction CT were 60% (MIP) and 65% (GVP) (p = 0.55). Complete resection rates were 77% (MIP) and 80% (GVP) (p = 0.62). Median survival times were 47.2 months (MIP) and 36.6 months (GVP) (p = 0.41). Cost-analyses showed significant incremental costs with GVP. In conclusion, while both neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens shared similar efficacy in patients with resectable NSCLC, costs were significantly higher for third-generation regimens.