BACKGROUNDChemotherapy is one of the important treatment methods for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of vinorelbine (NVB) and cisplatin (DDP) in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

METHODSForty-eight patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLC were treated with NVB (25mg/m² ,iv,d1 and d8) and DDP (40mg/m², d1 and d2).

RESULTSThe overall response rate (RR) was 48%, median survival time was 10 months, and 1-year survival rate was 35%. The RR of patients with first-line chemotherapy was 55%, median survival time was 11 months, the RR of patients with second-line chemotherapy was 35%, median survival time was 8 months; the RR of patients with stage IIIB was 54%, median survival time was 10 months, the RR of patients with stage IV was 41%, median survival time was 9 months. The main toxicities were myelosuppression, nausea, vomiting and phlebitis.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of NVB and DDP in the treatment of advanced NSCLC has a high response rate and tolerable side effects, which can be adopted as the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC, or the second line treatment that still need further studies.