A Phase II Study of First-Line Chemotherapy with Weekly Carboplatin Plus Gemcitabine in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: The efficacy and safety of weekly carboplatin (CBDCA) and gemcitabine (GEM) was evaluated as first-line chemotherapy with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 46 chemotherapy-naive patients with measurable NSCLC were enrolled. Patients underwent a combination chemotherapy of GEM 1,000 mg/m(2) plus CBDCA at an area under the curve of 2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Results: Response rate was 30% (14/46; 95% confidence interval: 17.7-45.8%). The median number of treatment cycles was 3 (range 1-2). Time to progressive disease was 19.4 weeks and the median survival was 46.3 weeks. The 1-year survival rate was 46.9%. The major toxicity was hematotoxicity: grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (58.7%) and thrombocytopenia (45.7%). There were no other severe toxicities. Conclusion: Weekly chemotherapy with CBDCA plus GEM is a well-tolerated and promising regimen as first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel