A Phase II Study of Docetaxel and Carboplatin in Thai Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Sumitra Thongprasert MD*, Sirikul Soorraritchingchai MD**, Busayamas Chewaskulyong MD*, Chaiyut Charoentum MD*, Sutthirak Munprakan RN*
Affiliation : * Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine,Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ** Lampang Cancer Center, Lampang
Objective : This phase II study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the docetaxel plus carboplatin combination
in chemotherapy-na(cid:31)ve Thai patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials and Methods : Forty patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status
(PS) 0-1, stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were enrolled in a phase II study between August 2001 and April 2003.
Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and Carboplatin AUC = 6 were given every 3 weeks. Response to treatment and toxicity
were graded using standard WHO criteria. The Thai Functional Living Index Cancer (T-FLIC) scale was used
to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) of all treated patients.
Results : Forty patients (median age: 55 years, range, 39-68 years; PS:0-1) were enrolled: one had stage IIIB
disease with effusion, while thirty-nine had stage IV disease. Five patients were non-evaluable due to death
within the first cycle; two dying of febrile neutropenia and sepsis, two of pulmonary infection, and one of
unknown etiology. Partial response (PR) was seen in 28.6% patients, stable disease (SD) in 25.7%, and
progressive disease (PD) in 45.7%. The median survival time was 32 weeks and the 1-year survival rate was
30.7%. Body mass index (BMI) was the only factor associated with survival time (univariate analysis: p =
0.006; multivariate analysis: p = 0.004). Other factors (gender, age, histology, ECOG PS, and glomerular
filtration rate) were not predict for survival. The major treatment-related toxicities were neutropenia (from
152 treatment cycles there were grade 4: 19.7%; grade 3: 23.7%), febrile neutropenia (from 152 treatment
cycles there was 3.95%), and diarrhea (grades 3/4: 0.66%). The QoL scores improved significantly through-
out the treatment period.
Conclusion : The regimen of docetaxel and carboplatin is active in advanced NSCLC and may be considered
for first-line therapy.
Keywords : Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Quality of life, Non-small cell lung cancer
