Carboplatin plus weekly paclitaxel treatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease

Since advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the interstitial lung disease (ILD) have been excluded from clinical trials, it is uncertain whether chemotherapy really provides a benefit to these patients.

Fifteen advanced NSCLC patients with ILD that was detected on the chest X-rays were enrolled in this study. Carboplatin plus paclitaxel was administered by two methods (method A or method B). Method A: Carboplatin (AUC 6, day 1) and paclitaxel (70 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15) were administered every four weeks. Method B: Carboplatin (AUC 2, day 1, 8, 15) and paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15) were administered every four weeks.

The response rate and the disease control rate were 33% and 53%. The median progression-free survival and the median overall survival time were 2.5 months and 7.0 months, respectively. The hematological toxicities were tolerable, but a grade 3 or higher pneumonitis was observed in 4 patients (27%).

Carboplatin plus weekly paclitaxel must be administered carefully to advanced NSCLC patients with ILD that is detected on chest X-rays after a sufficient evaluation of the risks and the benefits.