First- and second-line therapy for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer

The objectives for the treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer are palliative and include improvement of survival, symptom control, quality of life and cost. The level of evidence of these benefits is based on multiple randomised trials and meta-analyses. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy with one of the regimens shown to be effective should be preferred. Carboplatin may be substituted for cisplatin if medical contraindications exist. Nonplatinum-based regimens are indicated as first-line treatment for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer in patients for whom platinum-based chemotherapy is contraindicated. Single drug chemotherapy may be considered in patients with poor performance status. The choice of the active drugs depends on the patient's medical condition. There is no conclusive evidence that high doses of cisplatin (100-120 mg.m(-2)) provide better results than standard lower doses (50-60 mg.m(-2)) in terms of survival. The optimal duration of chemotherapy is poorly documented in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. A minimum of four to six cycles is advised in responding patients. Second-line chemotherapy is now accepted as a standard and should be offered to patients with good performance status and failing platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. Evidence is in favour of docetaxel and in the case of adenocarcinoma and adequate renal function, pemetrexed is recommended.