Docetaxel and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy in stage IIIA N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): An EORTC phase II trial (08984)

7166 Background: From January 2000 to August 2002, fourty-six chemo- and radiotherapy naive patients (pts) with pathologically confirmed mediastinoscopy proven stage IIIa/N2 NSCLC were treated with induction Docetaxel and Cisplatin within a 2-stage phase II trial. Based on institutional policy, pts were registered for the EORTC 08941 trial comparing surgical resection with radical radiotherapy after chemotherapy (Splinter, 2000). Methods: Docetaxel was given at a dose of 85 mg/m2 on day 1 as a 1-hour infusion with premedication, followed by Cisplatin at a dose of 40 mg/m2/day given on day 1 and 2. Courses were repeated every 21 days and a maximum of 3 courses were given. Responses were evaluated according to the RECIST criteria. Results: Of the 46 patients registered, about 2/3rd (65.2 %) had a performance status of 0/1 and most of the patients were male (80.4 %). Median age was 60 years (range 27–74), and in the majority of patients the histological subtypes were squamous (43.5%) and adeno (34.8 %). The ...