LAPSE:2020.1211
Published Article
LAPSE:2020.1211
The Importance of Dose Intensity When Administering Cytotoxic Chemotherapy in NSCLC—A Matter as Actual Now as in the Past
Cornelia Nitipir, Cristina Orlov-Slavu, Mihaela Olaru, Andreea Parosanu, Ana-Maria Popa, Cristian Iaciu, Bogdan Catalin Popescu, Maria Alexandra Barbu, Cristina Pirlog, Valentin Calu, Andreea Catarina Popescu, Dragos Bumbacea, Cristian Paleru, Iulian Slavu, Lucian Alecu
December 17, 2020
Lung cancer, as the leading cause of death in oncology is one of the most challenging diseases nowadays. Even after the implementation of checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy as a standard of therapy for metastatic disease, the chemotherapy backbone remains essential in the treatment of these patients. This study aimed to evaluate how administration particularities in chemotherapy and toxicity management can influence the outcome. We conducted a retrospective single-institution study, at Elias University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between 2014 and 2018, in a heterogeneous patient population with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that received combination chemotherapy. The inclusion criteria for this trial were—histological proof of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stage IV disease, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status of a maximum of two, treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy for at least four courses (patients with fewer courses were excluded). All patients received combination chemotherapy. The main focus was on the effect of dose reduction and treatment delay on overall survival and progression-free survival. A total of 129 patients were enrolled. The response rate in the studied population was 69% and 62.8% had no toxicity greater than grade 2. Chemotherapy regimens used had the following distribution—paclitaxel + carboplatin 41.9%, paclitaxel + carboplatin + bevacizumab 12.4%, pemetrexed + carboplatin 12.4%, gemcitabine + carboplatin 26.4% and other regimens 7%. Mean PFS (Progression Free Survival) was 9.1 months and the mean OS (Overall Survival) was 14 months. OS was not significantly different in the treatment delay group versus the no delay one, p < 0.25 but dose- reduction significantly impacted OS, p < 0.03. Administration particularities, like febrile neutropenia prophylaxis, treatment of chemotherapy-related anemia, respecting the details of chemostability and preparation rules and emesis prophylaxis, were considered reasons for the good outcome. Details regarding cytotoxic chemotherapy administration remain of paramount importance for a good outcome and the benefit for survival they convey is crucial. Sometimes the benefit the patient derives from these details is comparable to the one newer therapies convey.
Keywords
administration, chemotherapy, dose intensity
Subject
Suggested Citation
Nitipir C, Orlov-Slavu C, Olaru M, Parosanu A, Popa AM, Iaciu C, Popescu BC, Barbu MA, Pirlog C, Calu V, Popescu AC, Bumbacea D, Paleru C, Slavu I, Alecu L. The Importance of Dose Intensity When Administering Cytotoxic Chemotherapy in NSCLC—A Matter as Actual Now as in the Past. (2020). LAPSE:2020.1211
Author Affiliations
Nitipir C: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Orlov-Slavu C: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Olaru M: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Parosanu A: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Popa AM: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Iaciu C: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Popescu BC: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Barbu MA: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Pirlog C: Clinic of Oncology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Calu V: Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; Clinic of General Surgery, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 11468 Bucharest, Romania
Popescu AC: Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; Cardiology Department, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Bumbacea D: Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; Pneumology Clinic, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania [ORCID]
Paleru C: Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; Thoracic Surgery Clinic, Marius Nasta National Institute of Pneumology, 050152 Bucharest, Romania
Slavu I: Clinic of General Surgery, Agrippa Ionescu Emergency Hospital, 011365 Bucharest, Romania
Alecu L: Clinic of General Surgery, Agrippa Ionescu Emergency Hospital, 011365 Bucharest, Romania
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
8
Issue
8
Article Number
E936
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-08-04
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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PII: pr8080936, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2020.1211
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doi:10.3390/pr8080936
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Dec 17, 2020
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Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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