A phase II clinical trial of celecoxib combined with platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC as first-line treatment

Abstract

Background and objective Currently, platinum-based regimes are standard first-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, influencing factors and adverse events of celecoxib plus platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer as first-line treatment. Methods Previously untreated patients of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with COX-2 positive, confirmed by immunohistochemical staining, were randomized to receive GP, NP or TP regimens. Celecoxib of 400 mg Bid was given, po 5-7 days before chemotherapy,and not stopped until evidence of disease progression or toxicity. Adverse events were cirtified according to NCI-CTC criteria. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival rate. COX regression was used to define the predictive factors. Primary endpoint: median survival time, 1-year survival rate and median progression free survival time. Secondary endpoint: response rate and toxicity. Results Forty-four evaluable patients were enrolled in the study from February 2005 to March 2007. Response rate was 45%, disease control rate 59%. Median progression free survival time and median survival time were 6months (95%CI: 4-8 months) and 18 months (95%CI: 9-27months), respectively. One-year survival rate was 68%. Numbers of chemotherapy cycles and overall evaluation were the predictive factors for PFS in COX model (P=0.023 and 0.000). No factor was defined to affect survival time. Neutropenia and nausea/vomit were the most common toxicity. Conclusion Celecoxib combined with platinum-based chemotherapy appears to be well tolerated and demonstrates encouraging activity in patients of previously untreated advanced NSCLC.