LAMBAKI SPEAKING

Ann Oncol. 2010 Sep 29. [Epub ahead of print]
Paclitaxel and gemcitabine versus paclitaxel and vinorelbine in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. A phase III study of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG).
Kosmidis PA, Fountzilas G, Eleftheraki AG, Kalofonos HP, Pentheroudakis G, Skarlos D, Dimopoulos MA, Bafaloukos D, Pectasides D, Samantas E, Boukovinas J, Lambaki S, Katirtzoglou N, Bakogiannis C, Syrigos KN.

Department of Medical Oncology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel (Taxol) and vinorelbine have shown synergism of cytotoxic effects in vitro and clinical activity in phase I and II studies. This combination was compared prospectively with the paclitaxel/gemcitabine regimen in non-operable non-small-cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patients, stage IIIbwet and IV with performance status (0-1), were randomized to receive paclitaxel 200 mg/m(2) on day 1 plus gemcitabine 1 gm/m(2) (group A) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks or paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) plus vinorelbine 22.5 mg/m(2) (group B) on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks.

RESULTS: A total of 398 out of 415 patients were eligible for analysis on intent-to-treat basis (group A: 196, group B: 202). Progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.3-5.6] and 4.4 months (95% CI 3.7-5.2) for groups A and B respectively (P = 0.365). Median survival was 11.1 months (95% CI 9.2-13.0) and 8.6 months (95% CI 7.0-10.2) for groups A and B respectively (P = 0.147). Grade 3/4 neutropenia and leukopenia were worse in group B (P < 0.001, in both cases). Febrile neutropenia and severe infections were more prominent (P < 0.001, P = 0.029 respectively) in group B.

CONCLUSION: Although response rate, PFS and survival were non-different in both groups, toxicity was significantly worse in group B and therefore further investigation of P-Vin is of no value.