BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of GP (gemcitabine+cisplatin) and NP (navelbine+cisplatin) regimens in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSSeventy-six cases of advanced NSCLC were enrolled. Among them, 36 received GP (gemcitabine 1.0 g/m² D1,8,15+cisplatin 30 mg/m² D1-3), meanwhile 40 were administrated NP regimen (navelbine 30 mg/m² D1,8+cisplatin 30 mg/m² D1-3).

RESULTSThe overall response rates of GP and NP were 52.8% and 47.5% respectively (P > 0.05), and the median survivals were 9.8 and 8.7 months respectively (P > 0.05). The main toxicity was hematological toxicity. The incidences of leukopenia were 58.3% and 92.5% in GP and NP respectively (P < 0.01), and those of grade III-IV leukopenia were 16.7% and 52.5% respectively (P < 0.01 ). There was no significant difference in thrombocytopenia incidence between the two groups, however, GP group had a remarkably higher incidence of grade III-IV thrombocytopenia (33.3%) than NP group ( 10.0% ) (P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONSEfficacy of GP regimen is similar to that of NP and both of them can be well tolerated by patients.