New chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer - The Japanese experience

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is refractory to systemic chemotherapy, compared with small cell lung cancer. Until recently, only five drugs-cisplatin, vindesine, mitomycin, ifosfamide, and vinblastine-could produce overall response rates of 15% against NSCLC. However, recent efforts have contributed to the development of new drugs with activity against NSCLC, including irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine. Combination chemotherapy against NSCLC using these agents has demonstrated high response rates. In Japan, various combination chemotherapy and combined-modality regimens employing CPT-11 have been evaluated for their efficacy. Randomized controlled trials to establish new state-of-the-art treatments for NSCLC are ongoing.