Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology 33:626-630 (2003)
© 2003 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
Study of Paclitaxel and Dose Escalation of Cisplatin in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Division of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Background: We conducted a dose-finding and feasibility study in which we administered a fixed dose 3-h infusion of paclitaxel and an escalating dose of cisplatin in Japanese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Methods: Chemotherapy consisted of fixed dose (210 mg/m2) paclitaxel given over 3 h on day 1 and an escalating dose of cisplatin on day 2, every 34 weeks. The dose of cisplatin was 40 mg/m2 at level 1, 60 mg/m2 at level 2 and 80 mg/m2 at level 3.
Results: Between October 1999 and February 2001, 24 patients were enrolled and 58 cycles were administered. The major hematological toxicities were leukopenia and neutropenia. Grade 4 neutropenia developed in 83.3%, 66.7% and 83.3% of patients at the dose levels of 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The major non-hematological toxicities consisted of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation and peripheral neuropathy. Grade 3 ALT elevation was observed in two of the 12 patients at level 3, but both recovered within 3 days. The peripheral neuropathy was sensory-dominant and frequent, and it was almost tolerable. The maximum tolerated dose was not identified even at the highest dose of paclitaxel (210 mg/m2) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2) administered in the study. The recommended dose was determined to be paclitaxel 210 mg/m2 on day 1 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 2, every 34 weeks. Seven partial responses were observed in the 24 patients.
Conclusions: The combination of paclitaxel 210 mg/m2 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 was found to be a well-tolerated active regimen in Japanese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
+ For reprints and all correspondence: Tomohide Tamura, Division of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, 511, Tsukiji Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. E-mail: ttamura{at}ncc.go.jp