Early switch to a docetaxel-cisplatin (DP) doublet allows higher conversion to response for patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC in stable disease (SD) after 2 courses of gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP): Preliminary results of a pilot study

7276 Background: For non-responding pts, no more than 4 courses of a platinum doublet are currently recommended (Pfister et al. JCO 04). Better results might be achieved using different approaches for specific pt subsets (i.e. elderly, PS 2). Based on both the low rate of conversion to response expected continuing the same chemotherapy for pts in SD after 2 courses of GP and the potential hazard of an early discontinuation of P (Novello, ASCO 04 abs. 7069), the present study was designed. Methods: To evaluate the impact of an early switch of P-doublets in pts with advanced NSCLC showing a SD after 2 courses of GP (G 1250 mg/m2 days 1+8, P 75 mg/m2 day 2), 16 eligible pts were switched to ≥2 courses of DP (D 75 mg/m2 and P 75 mg/m2 both on day 1, with CSF primary prophylaxis). Main characteristics were: Age (median): 68 yrs (54–78); M/F: 13/3; ECOG-PS 0/1–2: 4/12; Stage IIIB/IV: 3/10; Histology adeno/others: 7/9. Results: After 2 courses of DP, 5/16 pts (31%) were converted to a PR, 6 remained in SD and 5 ...