A phase II study of weekly docetaxel combined with carboplatin for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

18174 Background: Combination chemotherapy has been shown to extend survival and improve symptoms for patients with advanced stage, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, chemotheraputic agents sometimes show significant toxicities that restrict their usefulness and not well tolerated in elderly and/or poor performance status patients. Docetaxel has shown efficacy with manageable toxicities when used alone or in combination with a platinum compound in a sequential manner before localized radical radiotherapy in advanced stage NSCLC. We performed this study to explore the efficacy and safety of weekly docetaxel plus carboplatin in patients with advanced NSCLC aged 60 years or older. Methods: From January 2005 to August 2006, 45 patients with advanced NSCLC patients aged 60 years or older were enrolled in the study. Patients received docetaxel 25mg/m2 by IV infusion over 30–60 min and carboplatin, AUC = 2, infused IV over 15–30 min weekly. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred, at which time the patient was taken off treatment. Maximum doses were 18 and evaluated the patients received at least 9 doses. Results: Of 45 patients, 24 patients received at least 9 dose of study drug. 21 patients stopped the treatment before the completion of 9 cycles; 9 (42.9%) due to poor general condition, 7 (33.3%) due to disease progression, and 5 (23.8%) due to volitional withdrawal. Of the 24 patients who received more than 9 cycles, final results were complete response in 1 (4.2%) patient, partial response in 16 (66.7%) patients, stable disease in 1 (4.2%) patient, and progressive disease in 6 (25%) patients. The most common hematological grade 3/4 adverse event was neutropenia(25%). There was no treatment-related death. Conclusion: Weekly docetaxel at low doses plus carboplatin in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer provides acceptable response rate and toxicity. However, further study with large population will be needed to confirm its effectiveness and toxicity. No significant financial relationships to disclose.