Carboplatin and paclitaxel for previously treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

The chemotherapy regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin produces an objective response in 30%-60% of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a prospective study, we administered paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 (by 1-3-hr infusion) and carboplatin at an area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) of 5 (by the Calvert formula) every 3 weeks to 21 patients who had previously received predominantly platinum-based chemotherapy for NSCLC. We observed no objective responses. Patients received a median of 2 cycles before disease progression. Three of 5 patients who had received only single-agent treatment with a relatively inactive agent may have had modest clinical benefit. We conclude that the paclitaxel/carboplatin regimen has minimal activity in previously treated patients with NSCLC.