BACKGROUNDChemotherapy is an important treatment for un-resectable lung cancer patients. The aim of this study is to investigate effects and safety of weekly paclitaxel/cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in un-resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSThirty-eight initially treated patients (male/female: 20/18) with un-resectable NSCLC were enrolled for the study. They were at ages ranging from 33 to 82 years old with ECOG PS of 0 to 2. Paclitaxel 80mg/m² was given by intravenous infusion on 1st and 8th day, and cisplatin 25mg/m² on 2th to 6th days, 3 to 4 weeks was one cycle. The responses and toxicity of chemotherapy were evaluated after six cycles and the patients were followed up.

RESULTSIn 38 patients, partial response and complete response were observed in 21 cases and 1 case, respectively with overall response rate of 57.9%. The response rate in cases with ECOG of 0 to 1 was significantly higher than those with ECOG PS of 2 (69.0% vs 22.2%). Median survival time was 14 months and 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate were 63.8%, 29.5% and 16.2% respectively. Main Toxicities were leucopenia and alopecia, and all patients could tolerate the side effects and there was no drug-related death associated with myelotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONSRegimen of paclitaxel/cisplatin was efficient and safe as the first-line treatment for un-resectable NSCLC patients.