BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of weekly paclitaxel and ifosfamide in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSTwenty-three patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer received paclitaxel 50-65 mg/m² IV weekly on days 1, 8, 15, and IFO 1.3 g/m² IV on days 2-4. The schedule was repeated every 28 days for two or three cycles as a course.

RESULTSOne patient had complete response and eight had partial response. Eleven patients had stable disease and three had progressive disease. The overall response rate was 39.1%. Twenty patients were followed-up. The 1-year survival was 40%(8/20) and the median survival duration was 8.9 months. The main toxicities were hematological toxicity (leukopenia, 69.6%, 16/23) and nausea/vomiting (47.8%, 11/23).

CONCLUSIONSCombined chemotherapy of weekly paclitaxel and ifosfamide is a good regimen for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with good efficacy and well-tolerated side effects.