A phase II study of non-platinum based chemotherapy with paclitaxel and vinorelbine in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Introduction: Paclitaxel and vinorelbine combination in previous untreated patients with stage IIIb–IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a phase II study. Patients and methods: Thirty-four patients (4 patients with stage IIIb, 30 patients in stage IV), with median age 66 and performance status 0–1, were administered paclitaxel, 175 mg/m 2 in a 3-h infusion rate on day 1 and vinorelbine, 25 mg/m 2 in a 10-min infusion rate on days 1, and 8 with G-CSF and EPO support. Results: Among our 33 evaluable patients for toxicity 16 patients (48.4%) presented leukopenia and 15 patients (45.4%) presented anemia despite G-CSF and EPO administration. Two patients (6%) presented Grade III–IV peripheral neuropathy. The overall response rate was 67.7%; 5 patients (16.1%) showed complete response (2 patients stage IIIb) and 16 patients (51.6%) showed partial response (1 patient stage IIIb). The overall median survival time was 10 months (range 3–18 months) and the median disease-free survival was 9 months (range 3–15 months) with an 1-year survival time of 45.1% (14 patients). Conclusion: The results of the combination as 1st line treatment for patients with non-operable NSCLC are promising and should be further investigated.