BACKGROUNDCisplatin plus navelbine (NO) is a standard combination chemotherapy regimen for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but severe toxicities due to cisplatin often influence the quality of life in the patients, such as nausea and vomiting. The aims of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combined chemotherapy of oxaliplatin and cisplatin plus navelbine in treatment of advanced NSCLC.

METHODSA total of 168 patients were randomly divided into NO group (n=83) and NP group (n=85).

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 38.6% in NO group and 40.0% in NP group respectively. 1-year survival rate was 33.7% in NO group and 31.8% in NP group. There was no significant difference in response rate and 1-year survival between the two groups (P > 0.05). The major side effects were myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting and neurotoxicity in the two groups. Incidences of leukopenia and nausea/vomiting were significantly lower in NO group than those in NP group (P < 0.05), but neurotoxicity in NO group was more obvious than that in NP group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy and 1-year survival of combined chemotherapy of oxaliplatin and cisplatin plus navelbine are similar in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. However, the side effects of oxaliplatin plus navelbine are lower except for neurotoxicity.