BACKGROUNDvinorelbine/cisplatin is an important regimen for advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC), but the side effect is severe . This study aims to compare the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine/cisplatin and vinorelbine/oxaliplatin regimens in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty six inoperatable or recurrent patients with stage III and IV NSCLC were randomized into vinorelbine/cisplatin group and vinorelbine/oxaliplatin group. All of them were treated by the two regimens responsively for 2 or 3 cycles.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 48.4%(30/62) for vinorelbine/cisplatin group and 42.2% (27/64) for vinorelbine/oxaliplatin group, the partial response rate was 45.2% (28/62) and 40.6% (26/64) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference of overall response rate between two groups (P > 0.05). The major side effects were leukopenia and gastrointestinal reaction, 25 patients (40.3%) in vinorelbine/cisplatin group and 10 patients (15.6%) in vinorelbine/oxaliplatin group had grade III+IV leucopenia (P < 0.05). Eleven patients (17.7%) in vinorelbine/cisplatin group and 3 patients (4.7%) in vinorelbine/oxaliplatin group had grade III+IV gastrointestinal reaction (P < 0.05). Seven patients (11.7%) in vinorelbine/cisplatin group and 60 patients (93.8%) in vinorelbine/oxaliplatin group had neurotoxicity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth vinorelbine/cisplatin and vinorelbine/oxaliplatin regimens are effective for advanced NSCLC. Compared with vinorelbine/cisplatin regimen, vinorelbine/oxaliplatin regimen has less bone marrow toxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity but higher neurotoxicity.