Docetaxel and Carboplatin as First-line Therapy in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Phase II Study

Background: Taxanes have been widely used against advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), alone and in combination with platinum agents. In order to develop a tolerable palliative regimen, we combined carboplatin with low dose docetaxel. Patients and Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients, with Stage IIIB or IV NSCLC and an ECOG performance status ≤2, were enrolled Treatment consisted of docetaxel 60 mg/m² and carboplatin AUC 6 every 21 days. Therapy continued for 1 year or 6 months beyond best response, whichever was greater. Results: Twenty-five patients were enrolled. Most patients (80%) had Stage IV disease. The partial response rate was 16%. Response duration ranged from 6 to 115 weeks. Median survival was 55 weeks. Toxicity was generally limited to grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. There was 1 septic death. Conclusion: Survival compared favorably to other similar trials employing higher doses of docetaxel Additionally, a hematologic toxicity advantage was seen compared to regimens containing higher doses of docetaxel.