Multi-institutional phase II study of carboplatin-gemcitabine combination chemotherapy in elderly patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Abstract

18179 Background: Because elderly pts may tolerate platinum-based combination chemotherapy poorly, single-agent chemotherapy is selected for the treatment regimen. However, retrospective subgroup analyses have consistently indicated that elderly pts indeed benefit from platinum-based combination chemotherapy as well as their younger counterparts. This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of carboplatin-gemcitabine combination chemotherapy in elderly pts with advanced NSCLC. Methods: Fifty-four pts aged more than 70 years old (median, 77; range, 70–88) with previously untreated advanced NSCLC were enrolled on this trial. Additional criteria included the presence of measurable lesions, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Pts received carboplatin at an area under the curve of 4 mg/ml/min on the first day and gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2 on the first and eighth day of consecutive 3 week periods. The primary endpoint was to determine the objective response rate of this platinum-doublet regimen. The RECIST criteria were used to measure response. Results: Enrolled pts included 15/39 with stage IIIB/IV diseases. Fifty-one out of enrolled pts were eligible for efficacy and safety analyses. The median number of treatment cycles was 4 (range, 1–7). Fifteen partial responses (response rate: 29%) were obtained. The median TTP was 118 days. Hematological toxicities of grade 3/4 included leukopenia (46%), neutropenia (72%) and thrombocytopenia (50%). Non-hematological toxicities of grade 3/4 included nausea (6%), appetite loss (7%), fatigue (7%) and infection (9%). Conclusions: The combination carboplatin-gemcitabine at these doses has shown activity with a favorable toxicity profile for fit elderly pts with advanced NSCLC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.