Phase II clinical trial with gemcitabine and paclitaxel sequential monotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (SLCG 01-04)

Background In advanced-stage (IIIB or IV) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), combination chemotherapy has demonstrated response rates of 20% and a 1-year survival rate of 30%. We conducted a multicentre, open-label, nonrandomised phase II trial to determine the efficacy and tolerability of sequential monotherapy with gemcitabine followed by paclitaxel in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC.