Carboplatin-containing regimens as front-line treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in two groups of elderly

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of a carboplatin-based doublet in two groups of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive elderly patients (>= 70 year old) with advanced NSCLC who received a carboplatin-based doublet as front-line therapy at our medical oncology unit was performed. Results: In the study, 57 consecutive elderly patients with advanced NSCLC were included. Carboplatin was combined with vinorelbine in 41 patients (71.9%) and with gemcitabine in 16 patients (28.1%). Overall, a total of 227 cycles were administered to 57 patients - 142 cycles were administered to patients in group 1 and 85 cycles were given to patients in group 2 - median number of administered cycles per patient was 4 (range 1-6). Of the patients, 35 (62%, group 1) were 'young-old' (70-74-year old) and 20 (38%, group 2) were 'old-old' (75-82-year old). Toxicity was mild in both subgroups (grade 3-4 neutropenia in 17.1% of group 1 and in 9.1% of group 2). At the univariate analysis, the median overall survival (OS) was 10.07 months (P=0.789, 95% CI: 8.49-11.64), 10.1 months in group 1 and 9.8 months in group 2. Conclusions: This evaluation shows the safety and efficacy of a carboplatin-based doublet given as first-line chemotherapy in elderly advanced NSCLC patients. The combination with vinorelbine or gemcitabine is associated with a very good toxicity profile that does not seem to have a detrimental effect on efficacy.