Randomized phase II study of weekly docetaxel plus trastuzumab versus weekly paclitaxel plus trastuzumab in patients with previously untreated advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma Journal Article


Authors: Krug, L. M.; Miller, V. A.; Patel, J.; Crapanzano, J.; Azzoli, C. G.; Gomez, J.; Kris, M. G.; Heelan, R. T.; Pizzo, B.; Tyson, L.; Sheehan, C.; Ross, J. S.; Venkatraman, E.
Article Title: Randomized phase II study of weekly docetaxel plus trastuzumab versus weekly paclitaxel plus trastuzumab in patients with previously untreated advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Abstract: BACKGROUND. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2). Nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) overexpresses HER-2 protein in approximately 20% of cases. In the current study, the authors combined trastuzumab with weekly taxanes in an attempt to improve outcomes over standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. METHODS. The primary objective was to determine whether docetaxel plus trastuzumab or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab was the superior regimen based on response and toxicity, and to determine whether either regimen was appropriate for further testing in a randomized Phase III trial. After stratification based on the results of HER-2 immunohistochemistry, chemotherapy-naive patients were randomized to receive trastuzumab plus docetaxel or trastuzumab plus paclitaxel. The study was designed so patients with or without HER-2 overexpression would be distributed equally between the study arms. RESULTS. Immunohistochemistry for HER-2 protein expression was attempted for 182 pathologic samples from 169 patients. Twenty-eight of the 179 evaluable samples (16%) revealed 2+ or 3+ staining. The objective response rate was 23% (7 of 30 patients) in the patients treated with docetaxel plus trastuzumab and 32% (11 of 34 patients) in the patients treated with paclitaxel plus trastuzumab (P=0.76, Wilcoxon test). No difference was noted in the median survival (16 mos vs. 14 mos) or 1-year survival (57% vs. 55%) (P=0.998). Toxicities were mild in both treatment arms. No difference with regard to response rates or survival was noted between HER-2-positive (2+ or 3 +) and HER-2-negative (0-1+) patients. CONCLUSIONS. The expression of HER-2 protein in patients with advanced NSCLC in this study was found to be similar to that reported in previous series. The response rates and toxicities for patients treated with docetaxel and trasuzumab or paclitaxel and trasuzumab were not significantly different, though survival in both arms was better than expected. HER-2 expression status did not appear to affect outcomes for this uniform group of patients who were treated in a comparable fashion. Because of the infrequency of HER-2 overexpression, and the absence of improved outcomes in patients with NSCLC who were treated with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in other studies, neither regimen tested will be advanced to a Phase III trial © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; adult; cancer survival; controlled study; protein expression; treatment outcome; aged; survival analysis; major clinical study; clinical trial; fatigue; neutropenia; advanced cancer; diarrhea; side effect; paclitaxel; cancer patient; edema; controlled clinical trial; phase 2 clinical trial; sensory neuropathy; anemia; leukopenia; lung non small cell cancer; nausea; randomized controlled trial; thrombocytopenia; vomiting; antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; lung neoplasms; myalgia; epidermal growth factor receptor 2; tumor markers, biological; dexamethasone; high risk patient; docetaxel; monoclonal antibody; arthralgia; nail disease; antibodies, monoclonal; blood sampling; paracetamol; outcomes research; receptor, erbb-2; taxoids; taxane derivative; trastuzumab; hypersensitivity reaction; nonsmall cell lung carcinoma; diphenhydramine
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 104
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2005-11-15
Start Page: 2149
End Page: 2155
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21428
PUBMED: 16208701
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 15" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: CANCA" - "Source: Scopus"
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Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Venkatraman Ennapadam Seshan
    372 Seshan
  2. Jorge Gomez
    27 Gomez
  3. Lee M Krug
    221 Krug
  4. Christopher G Azzoli
    111 Azzoli
  5. Jyoti Patel
    7 Patel
  6. Vincent Miller
    270 Miller
  7. Mark Kris
    847 Kris
  8. Robert T Heelan
    140 Heelan
  9. Leslie Tyson
    70 Tyson
  10. Barbara Pizzo
    31 Pizzo