Non small cell lung cancer chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic regimens are based on platinum agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, and satraplatin. Alternative regimens include paclitaxel, gemcitabine, or etoposide. Chemotherapeutic regimens are adjusted based on individual characteristics and body surface. The regimen adjustment according to tumor evolution has demonstrated longer survival rates, optimal symptom control, and higher quality of life.

Shown below is a table depicting the different choices of regimens for the initial or adjuvant chemotherapy of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The list of regimens has been adapted from the 2014 NCCN Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer guidelines.^[1][2]

Paclitaxel 200 mg/m² on day 1 + carboplatin area under the concentration (AUC) 6 on day 1 and then every 21 days.^[2]

The list bellow show the options for concomitant chemotherapy plus radiation therapy based on the 2014 NCCN Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer guidelines.^[2]

• Cisplatin 50 mg/m² on days 1, 8, 29 and 36 + etoposide 50 mg/m² through days 1 to 5 and then 29 to 33 + thoracic radiation therapy
• Cisplatin 100 mg/m² on days 1 and 29 + vinblastine 5 mg/m² weekly for 5 weeks + thoracic radiation therapy
• Cisplatin 75 mg/m² on the first day + pemetrexed 500 mg/m² on day 1 and then every 21 days to a total of 3 cycles + thoracic radiation therapy
• Carboplatin AUC 5 on the first day + pemetrexed 500 mg/m² on day 1 and then every 21 days to a total of 3 cycles + thoracic radiation therapy

The list bellow show the options for chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy based on the 2014 NCCN Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer guidelines.^[2]

• Cisplatin 100 mg/m² on days 1 and 29 + vinblastine 5 mg/m² per week on days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 followed by thoracic radiation therapy.
• Paclitaxel 200 mg/m² administered for 3 hours in the first day + carboplatin AUC 6 administered in 1 hour and then every 21 days to a total of 2 cycles followed by thoracic radiation therapy.

The list bellow show the options for concomitant chemotherapy plus radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy based on the 2014 NCCN Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer guidelines.^[2]

• Cisplatin 50 mg/m² on days 1, 8, 29 and 36 + etoposide 50 mg/m² through day 1 to 5 and then 29 to 33 + thoracic radiation therapy, then followed by cisplatin 50 mg/m² + etoposide 50 mg/m² to a total of 2 cycles.
• Paclitaxel 45 to 50 mg/m² once a week + carboplatin AUC 2 + thoracic radiation therapy, then followed by Paclitaxel 200 mg/m² + carboplatin AUC 6 to a total of 2 cycles.