Background & objective: Although platin-based chemotherapy has become a standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), its severe toxicities limit clinical application, and a new replacement is required. The study was to evaluate the efficacy, survival rate and toxicity between the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP arm) and the combination of gemcitabine and vinorelbine (GN arm) in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Methods: Eighty-two patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were enrolled into this study. 42 patients and 40 patients were randomized into GP group and GN group respectively. The patients' characteristics were similar between the two groups. They were treated with gemcitabine (1 000 mg/m(2) d(1), d(8)) plus cisplatin (80 mg/m(2), d(1)) in GP group, or gemcitabine plus vinorelbine (25 mg/m(2) d(1), d(8)) in GN group. The chemotherapy was repeated every 3 weeks as a cycle. Every patient was treated two cycles at least.
Results: An objective response rate of 28.6% was observed in GP arm versus 25% in GN arm (P=0.346). The 1-year survival rate was 64% in GP arm and 66% in GN arm. The median survival time was 9.87 months for GN arm and 8.78 months for GP arm. Nausea and vomiting were the major dose-limiting toxicity. The incidence of grade III/IV nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in the GP arm than in the GN arm (P=0.000). The Leukopenia incidence was similar in two groups (P=0.130).
Conclusion: The efficacy of GN regimen (platinum-free regimen) was similar to that of GP regimen, but the toxicity of GN regimen is lighter than that of GP regimen.