Second-line chemotherapy and beyond for non-small-cell lung cancer

Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2004 Jun;2(6):373-8.

Abstract

Platinum-based chemotherapy is now established in the treatment of all stages of lung cancer. Despite the benefits of therapy, the majority of patients treated for lung cancer will ultimately progress. Some will retain good performance status and be candidates for additional, tumor-directed treatment. Docetaxel and pemetrexed have documented activity in phase III trials in patients progressing after first-line, platinum-based therapy. Gefitinib has recently been approved for treatment of disease in the third line. Numerous other agents with diverse mechanisms are currently undergoing evaluation in this setting. This review evaluates the population eligible for such treatments and discusses recent trials in second and subsequent lines of therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / classification
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Disease Progression
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Gefitinib
  • Gemcitabine
  • Glutamates / administration & dosage
  • Guanine / administration & dosage
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Pemetrexed
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Quinazolines / administration & dosage
  • Salvage Therapy*
  • Survival Rate
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Glutamates
  • Quinazolines
  • Taxoids
  • Pemetrexed
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Docetaxel
  • Guanine
  • Gefitinib
  • Gemcitabine