BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the results of combined chemotherapy with paclitaxel (PTX, taxol) plus cisplatin (DDP) in the treatment of advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFrom January 1997 to December 2002, forty-seven patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer received PTX 135-180 mg/m² by intravenous infusion, on day 1, and DDP 40 mg/time by intravenous infusion,on days 1-3. The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks, up to 2 or 3 cycles.

RESULTSForty-six patients were evaluable for efficacy. One patient got complete response (2.2%), and 16 got partial response (34.8%), with an overall response rate of 37.0%. The main toxicities were myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, and other side effects were mild.

CONCLUSIONSA high response rate can be obtained in advanced NSCLC by PTX plus DDP. PTX is a promising antitumor agent with tolerable toxicity.