Determination of carboplatin dose by area under the curve in combination chemotherapy for senile non-small cell lung cancer.

To preliminarily determine the appropriate dosage of carboplatin (CBP) at AUC of 5 mg.Ml(-1).min(-1) in the combination chemotherapy for Chinese senile patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thirty-five Chinese senile patients with NSCLC in advanced stage (III/IV) were given 96 cycles of combination chemotherapy. Chemotherapy schedules included Taxol+CBP, Gemzar+CBP and NVB+CBP. The dose of CBP was at 5 mg.mL(-1).min(-1) of area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Side effects and quality of life were observed before and after the chemotherapy. Myelosuppression was severe and commonly observed. Grade 3/4 of granulocytopenia was found in 47.9% (46/96) of the patients and grade 3/4 of thrombocytopenia was noted in 28.1% (27/96) of the subjects. However, other side effects were slight. The mean score of quality of life (QOL), according to the criteria of QOL for Chinese cancer patients had reduced 6.8. At 5 mg.mL(-1).min(-1) by AUC, the hematological toxicity of CBP was severe and it had some negative effects on the QOL. The administration of CBP at 5 mg.mL(-1).min(-1) by AUC may be too high for Chinese senile patients with non-small cell lung cancer.