Lung Cancer

Docetaxel (Taxotere) is an active single agent in the treatment of non–small-cell lung cancer. Weekly administration of docetaxel minimizes myelosuppression and is generally well tolerated. To further evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of this novel schedule, we performed a phase II trial in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer who were either elderly (age > 65 years) or poor candidates for combination chemotherapy due to coexistent illness or poor performance status.

This study was conducted to determine whether docetaxel (Taxotere) prior to definitive local treatment improves overall survival when compared to local treatment without prior chemotherapy in patients with radically treatable stage IIIA N2 (T0–3), T3 (N0-1) or IIIB non–small-cell lung cancer. Local treatment was defined at baseline.

The purpose of this study was to define the antitumor activity of the PGT (cisplatin [Platinol]/gemcitabine [Gemzar]/paclitaxel [Taxol]) combination in chemonaive non–small-cell lung cancer patients.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of docetaxel (Taxotere) on survival, clinical benefits, quality of life, and safety parameters for chemonaive patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), when compared to best supportive care (BSC) (no chemotherapy or systemic anticancer therapy permitted).

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of weekly gemcitabine (Gemzar) plus monthly docetaxel (Taxotere) (J Clin Oncol 16:3866-3873, 1998) as second-line treatment for non–small-cell lung cancer.

Docetaxel (Taxotere)/cisplatin (Platinol) and docetaxel/gemcitabine (Gemzar) are active and well-tolerated chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A phase II randomized trial was conducted in order to compare the efficacy and toxicity of these regimens.

Designated E1594, this trial was designed to compare three platinum-based combination regimens containing third-generation drugs active against non–small-cell lung cancer to a reference regimen of cisplatin (Platinol) 75 mg/m² day 1 plus paclitaxel (Taxol) 175/mg/m²/24 h (arm A). The experimental regimens were as follows: gemcitabine (Gemzar) 1,000 mg/m² days 1, 8, 15 plus cisplatin 100 mg/m² day 1 (arm B); docetaxel (Taxotere) 75 mg/m² day 1 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m² day 1 (arm C); and paclitaxel 225 mg/m²/3 h day 1 plus carboplatin (Paraplatin) at an area under the concentration-time curve of 6 (AUC in mg/mL · min) day 1 (arm D). Arms A, C, and D were repeated every 21 days and arm B every 28 days.

We previously reported the efficacy of concurrent cisplatin (Platinol)/etoposide (PE) and radiotherapy in stage IIIB non–small-cell lung cancer in which biopsy confirmation of T4 (noneffusion) or N3 status was required (S9019). In view of the activity of docetaxel (Taxotere) as second-line therapy and potential molecular mechanisms of action favoring taxane sequencing, we designed the present study to maintain a core of concurrent PE/radiotherapy, but to substitute docetaxel consolidation for the two additional cycles of PE.

OSAKA, Japan-Induction with irinotecan (Camptosar) and cisplatin (Platinol) followed by thoracic radiation combined with weekly irinotecan in patients with unresectable non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) seems to be a feasible regimen in a cooperative group setting, according to the preliminary results of a phase II study presented in an ASCO abstract.

MADISON, Wis-The first major trial to compare three of the newest chemotherapy regimens for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with the most commonly used combination found that all offered similar survival benefits.

GROSSHANSDORF, Germany-Initial efficacy results of a randomized phase III trial of previously untreated small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) show that paclitaxel (Taxol)/etoposide/carboplatin (TEC) and carboplatin/etoposide/vincristine (CEV) are both well tolerated with similar response rates. The findings were presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

KANAGAWA, Japan-According to the results of a randomized, multicenter phase III trial, irinotecan (Camptosar) plus cisplatin (Platinol) was associated with a highly significant improvement in survival, with less myelosuppression, in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), compared with the standard therapy of etoposide/cisplatin. The findings were presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

NEW ORLEANS-In patients with brain metastases related to non-small-cell lung cancer, adding paclitaxel (Taxol) plus carboplatin (Paraplatin) to standard radiotherapy may increase overall treatment efficacy, French investigators reported at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

PHILADELPHIA-Phase III preliminary trial results support the continued use and development of concurrent chemoradiation strategies for patients with unresected stage III non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

NEW ORLEANS-In elderly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the combination of gemcitabine (Gem-zar) plus vinorelbine (Navelbine) yields better survival than vinorelbine alone, according to the final analysis of a Southern Italy Cooperative Oncology Group (SICOG) phase III trial. Giuseppe Frasci, MD, of the National Tumor Institute, Naples, Italy, reported the results at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

HERAKLION, Greece-A multicenter randomized phase III study comparing paclitaxel (Taxol)/etoposide/cisplatin (Platinol) (TEP) with standard-therapy etoposide/cisplatin (EP) in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) was stopped prematurely due to a 13% toxic death rate, according to a report given at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

NEW YORK-A new screening procedure to detect early lung cancer has the potential to dramatically reduce mortality, Claudia Henschke, MD, PhD, chief, Division of Chest Imaging, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, said at a media briefing.

A landmark research trial by the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that chemotherapy offers survival benefits for advanced, non–small-cell lung cancer patients. The study, presented at the 36th annual meeting of the

OSAKASAYAMA, Japan-Irinotecan (Camptosar) plus cisplatin (Platinol) significantly improves survival, compared to vindesine/cisplatin, in patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to an analysis of two studies presented by Masahiro Fukuoka, MD, of Kinki University School of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan, at a poster session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting

PHILADELPHIA-Fit, elderly patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can handle platinum-based therapy as well as younger patients, according to a secondary analysis of data from Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) study 5592. Corey Langer, MD, of Fox Chase Cancer Center, presented the analysis at the ASCO annual meeting.

WASHINGTON-The seven largest US cigar companies will place health warnings on their products and advertisements as the result of an agreement with the US Federal Trade Commission. The warnings read: “Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, even if you do not inhale.” “Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease.” “Tobacco use increases the risk of infertility, stillbirth, and low birth weight.” “Cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.” “Tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, even in nonsmokers.”

NAPLES, Italy-In elderly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, gemcitabine (Gemzar) combined with vinorelbine (Navelbine) was associated with significantly better survival in comparison to treatment with vinorelbine alone, Giuseppe Frasci, MD, reported at the 36th ASCO Annual Meeting.

EAST MELBOURNE, Australia-Positron emission tomography (PET) response to radical chemoradiotherapy or radical radiotherapy can be used to separate non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients into groups with widely differing survival probabilities, Michael P. MacManus, MD, reported at the 36th ASCO Annual Meeting.

NEW ORLEANS-A study of biologic markers in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has identified several that appear to predict disease recurrence. They also offer some insight into the mechanisms by which NSCLC tumors spread.

NEW ORLEANS-Topotecan (Hycamtin) after standard therapy with etoposide/cisplatin (Platinol) improved progression-free survival but failed to improve overall survival in extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) when compared to observation, according to a randomized phase III trial presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

NEW ORLEANS-The addition of paclitaxel (Taxol) to a regimen of etoposide and carboplatin (Paraplatin) led to a modest improvement in response rate and a trend toward improved survival in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), investigators from Response Oncology Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, reported at the 36th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

OSAKA, Japan-Docetaxel (Taxotere) plus irinotecan (Camptosar) seems to have activity comparable to docetaxel plus cisplatin (Platinol) in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to the results of a randomized phase II study reported at ASCO.

At the meeting in July 1999, symposium faculty also led sessions that answered questions from the participants. New applications for the management of non–small-cell lung (NSCLC) cancer provide the focus for these discussions, which

At the meeting in July 1999, symposium faculty also led sessions that answered questions from the participants. New applications for the management of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) provide the focus for these discussions, which followed

Irinotecan has appeared to have significant activity against previously treated and untreated small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The major toxicities of irinotecan are neutropenia and diarrhea, although there is interpatient