Authors' objectives:

This review aims to compare the clinical efficacy of regimens containing taxanes with regimens not containing taxanes, in the treatment of advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Outcomes examined include response, survival, toxicity and quality of life (QoL).

Authors' recommendations: Taxane-regimens (TRs) do not significantly improve one-year survival when compared with non-taxane regimens (NTRs) for the treatment of inoperable and advanced NSCLC patients. It should be noted that TRs and NTRs both varied considerably in drug combinations used. TRs showed a greater response rate than NTRs. However, when TRs were compared with NTRs that contained newer chemotherapeutic drugs such as vinorelbine, there was no significant increase in response rate. Treatment regimens typically contain other drugs in addition to a taxane. The companion drug(s) varied from trial to trial, making overall comparison of toxicity difficult. Comparison of impact on QoL between TRs and NTRs was also difficult. Few studies reported QoL data; those that did used different QoL scales. Overall, it appears TRs and NTRs were similar in terms of QoL impact, but a formal analysis was not possible.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)