New Agents in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in the United States in both men and women over the age of 35 years. Standard chemotherapy regimens have led to a modest impact on survival, but new strategies and more effective agents are needed, particularly those that interact favorably with radiation therapy. Recently, several agents with novel mechanisms of action - paclitaxel, docetaxel, topotecan, irinotecan, 9-aminocamptothecin, edatrexate, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine - have shown significant activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The results of those clinical trials and the plans for further development are discussed.