BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the activity and toxicity of paclitaxel as second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSForty patients with recurrent advanced NSCLC were enrolled. Thirty-six patients were managed with regular regimen. Paclitaxel 135 mg/m², 3 h, on day 1; DDP 75 mg/m² or carboplatin 300-350 mg/m² on day 2. Four patients were managed with weekly regimen. Paclitaxel 60 mg/m²,3 h, on days 1,8,15; DDP 75 mg/m² on day 2. It was repeated every three or four weeks, up to two to four cycles.

RESULTSThirty-six cases were evaluated for response and 27 for survival. The objective response rate was 13.9% (5/36). At least one tumor-related symptom relief was observed in 21 patients (58.3%). The median survival duration was 26.4 weeks and 1-year survival rate was 8% (4/36). The main toxicities included myelosuppression, fatigue and myalgia-arthralgia neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONSPaclitaxel has advantage to be well-tolerated and improve tumor-related symptom. Further studies with standardization of dose and regimen will be needed to clarify its role in the second-line treatment.