Chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with performance status 2

A beneficial role for palliative chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and a good performance status (ECOG 0 or 1) is now well established. In this article, we focus on the available literature for patients with a PS of 2, in whom a role for chemotherapy has yet to be defined.

In the past, the results of randomized trials of comparative standard platinum-based combination chemotherapy regimens have demonstrated inferior survival rates in PS 2 patients compared with those with PS 0 or 1. Consequently, a general view has emerged that the side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits, and chemotherapy has not been recommended as a standard of care. Although few studies have been designed specifically for PS 2 patients, gemcitabine, vinorelbine or taxane monotherapy, dose-attenuated platinum combination regimens, and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors may provide a clinical benefit with less toxicity. For example, although the median survival of PS 2 patients treated with best supportive care is 2-3 months, chemotherapy regimens are associated with median survivals ranging from 4 to 6 months. These data provide encouragement to revisit the role of chemotherapy in this group of patients.

There is potential with cytotoxic treatment to improve the palliative options for PS 2 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Further trials designed specifically for PS 2 patients that include measurement of symptoms, quality of life, and survival and toxicity are required to define the most active but least toxic regimens.