BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) versus paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 64 patients with advanced NSCLC diagnosed by pathology were randomly divided into two groups. Gemcitabine and carboplatin were administrated to the patients in GC group (n=30), and paclitaxel and carboplatin in the TC group (n=34), 28 days as a cycle. All patients received at least two cycles.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 53.3% in the GC group and 58.8% in the TC group (P > 0.05). The main toxicities were well tolerated and consisted of leukopenia, nausea, vomiting and peripheral neuritis, which occurred more frequently in the TC group than in the GC group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth of the two regimens of gemcitabine plus carboplatin and paclitaxel plus carboplatin are feasible, well tolerated and effective in the treatment of NSCLC, and the former may be safer than the latter.