Combination phase I study of nedaplatin and gemcitabine for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

To establish the toxicities and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of nedaplatin with gemcitabine, and to observe their antitumour activity, we conducted a combination phase I study in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients received nedaplatin (60-100 mg m(-2) given intravenously over 90 min) on day 1, and gemcitabine (800-1000 mg m(-2) given intravenously over 30 min) on days 1, 8, every 3 weeks. In total, 20 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who received no prior chemotherapy or one previous chemotherapy regimen were enrolled. The most frequent toxicities were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia; nonhaematological toxicities were generally mild. Three out of six patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and delayed anaemia) at dose level 4, 100 mg m(-2) nedaplatin with 1000 mg m(-2) gemcitabine, which was regarded as the MTD. There were three partial responses, for an overall response rate of 16.7%. The median survival time and 1-year survival rate were 9.1 months and 34.1%, respectively. This combination is well tolerated and active for advanced NSCLC. The recommended dose is 80 mg m(-2) nedaplatin with 1000 mg m(-2) gemcitabine. This combination chemotherapy warrants a phase II study and further evaluation in prospective randomised trials with cisplatin- or carboplatin-based combinations as first-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.