Paclitaxel, Carboplatin and Gemcitabine Combination as Induction Chemotherapy for Stage IIIA N2 Bulky Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Vol. 69, No. 4, 2005

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Clinical Study

Paclitaxel, Carboplatin and Gemcitabine Combination as Induction Chemotherapy for Stage IIIA N2 Bulky Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Giorgio Carmelo Giannitto^a, Dario Giuffrida^b, Alessandro Pappalardo^c, Antonio Russo^d, Bruno Vincenzi^e, Salvino Saita^f, Enrico Potenza^f, Franco Marletta^g, Giuseppe La Venia^h, Sergio Castorinaⁱ, Roberto Bordonaro^h

^aOncology Unit, Gravina Hospital, Caltagirone,
^bOncology Unit Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande,
^cOncology Unit, C.C.D. G.B. Morgagni, Catania,
^dDepartment of Oncology, Università di Palermo, Palermo,
^eMedical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico, Rome,
^fDivision of Thoracic Surgery, O.V.E.,
^gRadiotherapy, S. Luigi Hospital,
^hDivision of Medical Oncology, and
ⁱIngrassia Department, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2005;69:295-300 (DOI: 10.1159/000089679)

Key Words

Lung cancer
Paclitaxel
Carboplatin, stage III
Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Induction chemotherapy followed by surgical resection or definitive radiotherapy for patients affected by stage IIIA N2 bulky non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been investigated in several trials. Patients and Methods: In this present study, 52 patients with stage IIIA N2 bulky NSCLC with cytologically or histologically confirmed mediastinal lymph node involvement received paclitaxel 175 mg/mq on day 1, carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/mq on day 1 and 8 every 3 weeks for three cycles as induction chemotherapy. Results: Objective response (4 complete remission and 36 partial remission) was achieved in 40/52 patients. No early or toxic deaths were observed. Twenty-two patients were surgically explored. Fifteen were excluded for resection for biopsy-proven residual tumour in mediastinal nodes. Complete surgical resection was performed in 15 patients with confirmed pathological downstaging. Pathological complete response was achieved in 4 patients. No surgery-related mortality or significant morbidity was reported. Adjuvant radiotherapy was delivered in 15 patients, and 30 patients received definitive radiotherapy. Conclusion: In the present study, the combination of paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine has been a safe and active regimen in poor-prognosis stage IIIA N2 bulky NSCLC.

Author Contacts

Bruno Vincenzi
Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico
Via E. Longoni 47, IT-00155 Rome (Italy)
Tel. +39 06 22541853, Fax +39 06 22541520
E-Mail b.vincenzi@unicampus.it

Article Information

Received: February 21, 2005
Accepted after revision: May 28, 2005
Published online: November 9, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 29

Medline Abstract (ID 16282709)

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