Comparison of the Efficacy of Cis-Platin - Gemcitabine Combination With Cis-Platin - Etoposide in Advanced and Locally Advanced Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare the efficay and toxicity of cis-platin - gemcitabine (PG) combination with cis-platin - etoposide (PE) in advanced and locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. PG treatments were given to 18 patients (2 females, 16 males) and PE to 17 patients (5 females, 12 males), totally 35 patients stage III b or IV. Combination chemotherapies of cis-platin at a dose of 80 mg/m(2) on day 1, gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8, and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days, were administered. Overall response rates were found 33.3% and 41.1% in PG and PE, respectively (p > 0.01). Median survival was 5 months in both groups. One year survival was found to be 16.6% in PG group and 17.6% in PE group. Nausea and vomiting were the most frequent side effects of PE group in a rate of 64.7% (in 11 cases) followed by anemia 38.8% (in 7 cases) in PG group, and nefrotoxicity 5.8% (in one case) in PE group. As a result although we have found partial response advantage for PE combination, but not statistically significant, there was no median or one year survival advantage between both groups.