Abstract
Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and quality of life of the regimen of carboplatin plus paclitaxel (investigational arm) versus the reference regimen of cisplatin plus etoposide for the treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in the Indian Scenario.
Patients and methods: A total of 50 patients were enrolled, 25 on arm A (cisplatin 25 mg/m2 and etoposide 100 mg/m2) and 25 on arm B (carboplatin AUC= 6 mg/ml min and paclitaxel 225 mg/m2), with cycles repeated every 3 weeks. The arms were well balanced with respect to age, performance status, weight loss, stage of disease and disease measurability.
Results: The objective response rate (ORR) was 76% on arm A compared with 72% on arm B (P = 0.74). The most prevalent toxicities were alopecia, nausea and vomiting in both the arms. Leukopenia and neurological toxicity (neuro-sensory+ neuro-motor) occurred at a higher rate in arm B than in arm A without statistical significance. 60% patients in Arm-B had statistically significant improvement in quality of life as compared to only 20% patients in Arm-A (P=0.008)
Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in efficacy and toxicity for carboplatin–paclitaxel compared with cisplatin–etoposide. However, there was a statistically significant improvement in quality of life with the carboplatin–paclitaxel regimen.
- © 2011 ERS
