[Non-platinum induction chemotherapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer]

We conducted combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) and paclitaxel (TXL) for stage III non-small cell lung cancer. The chemotherapy schedule consisted of GEM 800 mg/m2 and TXL 70 mg/m2 once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The patients were 7 males and 3 females with a median age of 66 years. There were 5 adenocarcinomas and 5 squamous cell carcinomas, 7 stage IIIA and 3 IIIB. Eight patients completed 6 cycles of planned administration. Of 9 patients who were evaluable for response, 6 patients achieved PR (66.7%), 2 patients had SD, and 1 patient had PD. The cancers were resectable in 7 out of 9 patients, and were resected completely in 5 patients. Grade 3 anemia and leucopenia were observed in 1 patient and 2 patients, respectively, but they were mild. In our experience, a non-platinum weekly regimen with GEM and TXL is well tolerated and effective, which suggests the possibility of induction chemotherapy and outpatient treatment.