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Maintenance therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer
1Thoracic oncology, Departement for Surgery, Medical Center Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
Maintenance therapy offers improved survival for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients beyond initial chemotherapy. This review details pivotal trials, highlighting switch and continuation strategies as new treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Standard doublet chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has plateaued at approximately 10 months median overall survival.
- Recent studies indicate survival benefits for patients treated beyond induction chemotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review pivotal phase III randomized clinical trials on maintenance chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC.
- To summarize the evidence supporting maintenance therapy as a new treatment option.
Main Methods:
- Review of peer-reviewed publications of phase III randomized clinical trials.
- Analysis of data on switch and continuation maintenance therapy strategies.
Main Results:
- Maintenance therapy, including both switch and continuation strategies, has demonstrated survival benefits in advanced NSCLC.
- Successfully investigated agents include Gemcitabine, Docetaxel, Pemetrexed, Bevacizumab, Cetuximab, and Erlotinib.
Conclusions:
- Maintenance therapy represents a significant advancement and a new treatment option for advanced NSCLC.
- Updated practice guidelines reflect the incorporation of maintenance therapy based on recent trial data.
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