Paclitaxel and carboplatin in nonoperable non-small cell lung cancer

Based on the high activity of single-agent paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the superior 1-year survival rates of patients with NSCLC treated with carboplatin, the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group initiated a phase II trial to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of both agents in patients with nonoperable stage III and IV NSCLC. Since July 1995, 31 eligible patients have entered into this study. All patients received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 as a 3-hour infusion plus carboplatin dosed to an area under the concentration-time curve of 7, every 3 weeks. No granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was given. Among the 29 male and two female patients, the median age was 55 years (range, 29 to 73 years) and the median performance status was I (range, 0 to 2). Most of the patients had stage IV adenocarcinoma (19 patients), with poor differentiation (15 patients). The median number of prior chemotherapy cycles was two, with a range of one to six. Among 21 evaluable patients, seven achieved a partial response, 10 had stable disease, and four had progressive disease. It is too early for evaluation in nine patients. Grade 2/3 nonhematologic toxicities included alopecia (46.4%), neurotoxicity (3.3%), and myalgia/arthralgia (7.1%). Grade 2/3 neutropenia was experienced by 10.7% of patients, whereas grade 2 thrombocytopenia was seen in only 3.3%. One patient died following complications of severe allergic reaction. In conclusion, although this study is ongoing, it is clear that the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin is effective and well tolerated in patients with nonoperable NSCLC.