The Four-Arm Cooperative Study (FACS) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A subgroup analysis in elderly patients (pts)

Abstract

7115 Background: Efficacy and safety in fit, elderly NSCLC pts receiving platinum-based treatment have been reported to be similar to those in younger pts. However, there is controversy about which platinum-based regimens are suitable for the elderly. To compare efficacy and safety of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens in the elderly, we conducted an age specific subgroup analysis on FACS, a phase III randomized trial comparing four platinum-based regimens for advanced NSCLC. Methods: FACS was designed to compare three platinum-based combination regimens to cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1) plus irinotecan (60 mg/m2, days 1, 8, 15) (IP) as the reference arm. The experimental regimens were: carboplatin (AUC 6, day 1) plus paclitaxel (200 mg/m2, day 1) (TC); cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1) plus gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2, days 1, 8) (GP); cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1) plus vinorelbine (25 mg/m2, days 1,8) (NP). Results: Of the 105 pts ≥ 70 years (17% of 602 enrolled pts), 27 were on the IP arm, 27 on TC, 28 on GP, and 22 on NP. Patient characteristics were similar in each arm. Response rates were 26% in IP, 20% in TC, 32% in GP, 50% in NP. Frequency of grade 3 or greater leukocytopenia (IP/TC/GP/NP: 52%/33%/36%/86%) was higher in NP, and thrombocytopenia (IP/TC/GP/NP: 11%/19%/43%/0%) was higher in GP, however anemia (IP/TC/GP/NP: 56%/19%/29%/55%) was lower in TC and GP. Frequency of grade 2 or greater vomiting (IP/TC/GP/NP: 52%/22%/39%/41%) was lower in TC, and diarrhea (IP/TC/GP/NP: 48%/7%/4%/14%) was lower in TC, GP and NP, however, grade 2 or greater sensory neuropathy (IP/TC/GP/NP: 0%/22%/0%/0%) was higher in TC. One year survival rates were 48% for the IP arm, 48% for TC, 61% for GP, and 46% for NP. There were no significant survival differences between IP and each experimental regimen. In addition, no significant differences between ≥ 70 and < 70 years were observed in each treatment regimen regarding hematological and non-hematological toxicities, response rates, and survival, except that grade 3 or greater anemia was significantly higher in ≥ 70 years pts in IP and NP arms. Conclusions: These platinum-based four regimens were similarly active and tolerable for fit, elderly NSCLC pts, and their efficacy and toxicity in the elderly were similar to those in younger pts. No significant financial relationships to disclose.