Predictive factors for response to chemotherapy: univariate analysis
| Factor | Subjects | Objective response rate | OR (95% CI) | p-value |
| Age | ||||
| <60 yrs | 245 | 81 (33) | 1.28 (0.88–1.86) | 0.22 |
| ≥60 yrs | 240 | 93 (39) | ||
| Sex | ||||
| Female | 90 | 43 (48) | 1.84 (1.16–2.93) | 0.01 |
| Male | 395 | 131 (33) | ||
| Performance status | ||||
| ≤70 | 98 | 27 (28) | 1.61 (0.99–2.63) | 0.06 |
| ≥80 | 387 | 147 (38) | ||
| Histology | ||||
| Squamous | 124 | 55 (44) | 0.06 | |
| Adenocarcinoma | 273 | 87 (32) | 0.59 (0.38–0.91) | |
| Other | 88 | 32 (36) | 0.72 (0.41–1.26) | |
| Staging | ||||
| Stage III | 37 | 14 (38) | 0.91 (0.46–1.82) | 1 |
| Stage IV | 448 | 160 (36) | ||
| Type of lesions | ||||
| Evaluable | 130 | 46 (35) | 1.03 (0.68–1.57) | 0.92 |
| Measurable | 355 | 128 (36) | ||
| Weight loss | ||||
| <5% | 266 | 106 (40) | 0.67 (0.45–0.99) | 0.05 |
| ≥5% | 183 | 56 (31) | ||
| Prior surgery | ||||
| No | 451 | 162 (36) | 0.97 (0.47–2.02) | 1 |
| Yes | 34 | 12 (35) | ||
| White blood cell count | ||||
| ≤10000 per mm3 | 281 | 108 (38) | 0.77 (0.53–1.13) | 0.21 |
| >10000 per mm3 | 203 | 66 (33) | ||
| Neutrophil rate | ||||
| ≤75% | 221 | 87 (39) | 0.62 (0.40–0.98) | 0.04 |
| >75% | 139 | 40 (29) | ||
| Platelet count | ||||
| ≤440000 per mm3 | 369 | 136 (37) | 0.83 (0.53–1.30) | 0.50 |
| >440000 per mm3 | 113 | 37 (33) | ||
| Haemoglobin | ||||
| 12–18 g·dL−1 | 361 | 140 (39) | 0.59 (0.37–0.92) | 0.02 |
| <12 or >18 g·dL−1 | 122 | 33 (27) | ||
| Alkaline phosphatase | ||||
| ≤110 IU·mL−1 | 164 | 56 (34) | 1.15 (0.77–1.71) | 0.55 |
| >110 IU·mL−1 | 316 | 118 (37) |
Data are presented as n or n (%), unless otherwise indicated. OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval.