Gender Differences in Treatment Outcomes among Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Given a Combination of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel

Abstract

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate gender differences in the outcomes of carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with unresectable stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Gender, age, performance status, histology, hematological toxicity, tumor responses and survival parameters obtained retrospectively by medical chart review were analyzed. Results: A total of 227 patients (147 males and 80 females) were included. The median lowest leukocyte count was 2,900 (range 1,200–12,400)/µl in males and 2,200 (range 600–6,500)/µl in females (p < 0.001). Grade 3–4 leukopenia was noted in 15% of male and in 39% of female patients (p < 0.001). In both genders, the response rate in evaluable patients was 39%. The median progression-free survival was 4.4 months for men and 5.3 months for women (p = 0.0081). After progression of the disease, gefitinib was administered in 64 (44%) male and 45 (56%) female patients, with a median treatment of 35 and 144 days, respectively. The median survival time was 11.9 months for men and 22.2 months for women (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Female gender was associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with NSCLC who received carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy, although the response rates did not differ between the genders. Of note, hematological toxicity was more severe in female patients.