BACKGROUNDVinorelbine (NVB) and oxaliplatin (OXA) have shown effective anticancer activity in a wide range of solid tumors. This study is to observe the efficacy and side effects of OXA in combination with NVB in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFifty-nine patients with NSCLC were randomly treated by OXA+NVB or cisplatin (DDP)+NVB regimen, repeated every 3-4 weeks. They received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTSThere were 29 patients treated with NO regimen, in which there was no complete response (CR) patient, 12 patients showed partial response (PR), and the response rate was 41.4%. There were 30 patients treated with NP regimen. One patient showed CR, 13 patients showed PR, and the response rate was 46.7%. There was no significant difference in response rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). The major toxicities, including leukopenia and phlebitis, were similar in the two groups. The incidences of gastrointestinal reaction and alopecia of NP regimen were more severe than those of NO regimen (P < 0.05), but neurotoxicity of NO regimen was more obvious than that of NP regimen (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy of the two regimens are similar in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. The side effects such as leukopenia and phlebitis are similar in the two groups. However, there are significant differences in gastrointestinal reaction, alopecia and neurotoxicity between the two groups. All the toxicities are well tolerable.