With no large randomized phase III trials to provide definitive answers, the ideal number of platinum-based chemotherapy cycles in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer has long been unclear. Most guidelines recommend a maximum of 4–6 cycles. Rossi and colleagues now suggest that four chemotherapy cycles is the optimal regimen.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Azzoli, C. G., Temin, S. & Giaccone, G. 2011 Focused update of 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice guideline update on chemotherapy for stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer. J. Oncol. Pract. 8, 63–66 (2012).
Reck, M. et al. Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann. Oncol. 25 (Suppl. 3), iii27–iii39 (2014).
Rossi, A. et al. Six versus fewer planned cycles of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data. Lancet Oncol. 15, 1254–1262 (2014).
Barata, F. J., Parente, B. & Teixeira, E. Optimal duration of chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer: multicentre, randomized, prospective clinical trial comparing 4 vs 6 cycles of carboplatin and gemcitabine [abstract]. J. Thorac. Oncol. 2 (Suppl.), S666 (2007).
Park, J. O. et al. Phase III trial of two versus four additional cycles in patients who are nonprogressive after two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer. J. Clin. Oncol. 25, 5233–5239 (2007).
Smith, I. E. et al. Duration of chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized trial of three versus six courses of mitomycin, vinblastine, and cisplatin. J. Clin. Oncol. 19, 1336–1343 (2001).
von Plessen, C. et al. Palliative chemotherapy beyond three courses conveys no survival or consistent quality-of-life benefits in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Br. J. Cancer 95, 966–973 (2006).
Rosell, R. et al. Phase III randomised trial comparing paclitaxel/carboplatin with paclitaxel/cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a cooperative multinational trial. Ann. Oncol. 13, 1539–1549 (2002).
Soon, Y. Y., Stockler, M. R., Askie, L. M. & Boyer, M. J. Duration of chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. J. Clin. Oncol. 27, 3277–3283 (2009).
Paz-Ares, L. G. et al. PARAMOUNT: Final overall survival results of the phase III study of maintenance pemetrexed versus placebo immediately after induction treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin for advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer. J. Clin. Oncol. 31, 2895–2902 (2013).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peters, S., Adjei, A. How much platinum-based chemotherapy is enough in NSCLC?. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 12, 8–10 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.212
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.212
