Phase III trial of cisplatin/gemcitabine with or without vinorelbine or paclitaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

In a randomized phase III trial, 343 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer aged <or=70 years with good performance status received a new triplet regimen consisting of cisplatin at 50 mg/m(2), gemcitabine (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) at 1,000 mg/m(2), and vinorelbine at 25 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks (PGV); a doublet of cisplatin at 100 mg/m(2) on day 1 and gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks (PG); or a newly developed triplet combination of cisplatin at 50 mg/m(2), gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m(2), and paclitaxel at 125 mg/m(2) (over 1 hour) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks (PGT). Response rates were 44% in the PGV group, 48% in the PGT group, and 28% in the PG group (P < .02 for both PGV and PGT v PG). Median survival durations were significantly increased in both the PGV and PGT groups compared with the PG group (51 weeks for both v 38 weeks; P < .05 for both). Times to disease progression were increased in both the PGV (24 weeks) and PGT (29 weeks) groups compared with the PG group (19 weeks) (PGT v PG; P < .002). Both triple-agent combinations were well tolerated. Among hematologic toxicities, severe thrombocytopenia was more common in the PG arm than in the PGT group. Severe vomiting was more common in the PG arm than in either triplet group, whereas mild neuropathy was more common in the triple-agent arms and grade 3 fatigue was more common in the PGT group than in the PG arm. In summary, the new PGV and PGT triplet regimens were associated with improved outcome in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with good performance status, without an increase in major toxicity. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 7):7-10. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes