Non-small cell lung cancer: As most patients with non-small cell lung cancer present with nonsurgically curable diseae, major efforts have been made in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with chemotherapy. Controlled
studies of
platinum-based chemotherapy vs. supportive care showed statistically significant improvements in survival. During the last several years, the introduction of several new chemotherapeutic agents, such as the taxanes, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and
irinotecan has resulted in improved survival and quality of life for patients with advanced NSCLC. However, the superiority of a regimen in terms of improved survival, quality of life, and toxicity profile has still remained unclear. Newer,
targeted
therapies hold promise to improve outcome without adding a great deal of additional toxicity.
Small cell lung cancer: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by early dissemination and a rapid, aggressive clinical course. The role of combination chemotherapy in patients with SCLC was well established since 1970’s; however, no trend
toward
longer survival has been observed during the last decade. Even if the use of adjunctive radiation therapy does not help in extending survival in extensive-disease, the use of chemotherapy without radiation therapy is to be discouraged in patients
with
limited-disease, because randomized trials showed a definite survival advantage for combined modality therapy. In terms of the choice of chemotherapy, etoposide/cisplatin or etoposide/carboplatin have emerged as the regimens of choice because they
offer
a good therapeutic index and can be combined with radiotherapy. Recently, several active agents such as taxanes, topotecan, vinorelbine, and irinotecan have been used in SCLC.
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