Phase II study of 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer. West Japan Lung Cancer Group.

Sixty patients with previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer of stages III and IV were treated with a 210 mg/m2 dose of paclitaxel by means of a 3-hour infusion. The objective response rate was 32% (95% confidence interval, 20-45%): 1 complete response and 18 partial responses. The median duration of response was 15 weeks, and the projected median survival duration of all patients was 30 weeks. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 73% of patients. Other grade 3-4 adverse events included anemia (5%), vomiting/nausea (8%), peripheral edema (2%), alopecia (7%), elevation of AST (2%), peripheral neuropathy (3%), allergic reaction (2%), arthralgia/myalgia (3%), and interstitial pneumonitis (3%). Paclitaxel administered at 210 mg/m2 by means of a 3-hour infusion every 3 weeks demonstrated a notable activity against previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with a 32% major response rate. Major toxicity was neutropenia. Hypersensitivity, neurotoxicity, arthralgia/myalgia and cardiac toxicity were mild and easily managed.