Docetaxel (Taxotere) in combination with platinums in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Trial data and implications for clinical management

Docetaxel (Taxotere; Aventis, Antony, France) is among the most effective agents for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and its use in combination with cisplatin is a logical development. Docetaxel has been combined with cisplatin and is well-tolerated with promising activity in phase II studies. Extensive phase II investigations in the first-line setting recorded response rates of 32% to 52% survival (median, 8 to 12 months) with 33% to 48% of patients alive at 1 year. Neutropenia is dose-limiting. However, the incidence of severe neuropathy is low and clinically significant nephrotoxicity is uncommon. Following these encouraging findings, the combination of docetaxel with cisplatin has been studied in two randomized phase III trials that compare the new combination against reference regimens. These studies have completed accrual and data are expected shortly. The combination of docetaxel with carboplatin is also active and feasible. Neutropenia is the main adverse event and grade II or III neurotoxicity is uncommon. In phase II trials combining doses of 65 to 100 mg/m² docetaxel with doses of carboplatin designed to maintain an area under the curve of 5 to 7.5 mg/mL/min, response rates have ranged from 30% to 67%.