Docetaxel (Taxotere) in non-small cell lung cancer: ongoing studies in Heidelberg and future plans

Docetaxel (Taxotere, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France) as a "stabilizing antitubulin" has in the last few years gained the reputation of being one of the most effective cytotoxic drugs in the therapy of non-small cell lung cancer. Clinical investigations of docetaxel in non-small cell lung cancer continue and currently focus on new combination chemotherapy regimens, its simultaneous use in combination with radiotherapy, as well as trials within multimodality treatment concepts. Our hospital's direct experiences with docetaxel include its sequential use with gemcitabine in single-agent therapy and a phase I study combining docetaxel with ifosfamide. In addition we are planning a randomized study to test docetaxel within a sequential and concomitant chemoradiotherapy concept in patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.