Recent advances with chemotherapy for NSCLC: The ECOG experience

Management of disseminated non-small-cell lung cancer has changed over the past 10 years. Newer agents, such as vinorelbine (Navelbine) and paclitaxel (Taxol), have been shown to modestly improve survival in patients with advanced disease when administered in conjunction with cisplatin (Platinol). Compared with older regimens consisting of cisplatin and a Vinca alkaloid or a podophyllotoxin the newer regimens yield a 10- to 15-week improvement in median survival and an additional 10% to 15% in I-year survival. Based on these results derived from randomized trials, it appears that metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients with good performance status should lie treated with regimens containing either vinorelbine or paclitaxel in conjunction with cisplatin.