Abstract:
Objective:To observe the efficacys and side effects of gefitinib (Iressa) and docetaxel (aisu) as the second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: A total of 98patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who had failed to previous first-line chemotherapy were randomly divided into two groups: gefitinib group and docetaxel group. In the gefitinib group, 50patients took Iressa 250 mg once daily until disease progression or intolerable toxicity occurred. In the docetaxel group, 58patients were treated with aisu 75mg/m2 i.v. in 60minutes in day1. The regimen was repeated every 21days for at least 2 consecutive cycles. They were assessed on the basis of RECIST evaluation standard of therapeutic effect for solid tumor.Results:In the gefitinib group, the response rate was 22.4% (11/49), the clinical benefit rate was 55.1% (27/49), median survival time was7.1 months and1-year survival rate was 35.9%. In the docetaxel group, the response rate, clinical benefit rate, median survival time and 1-year survival rate were 18.8% (9/48), 50.0% (24/48), 6.9 months and31.5%, respectively (P>0.05). The incidences of Ⅰ~Ⅳdegree and Ⅲ~Ⅳdegree rash were 51.0% and 10.2% in the gefitinib group, significantly lower than those in the docetaxel group (P=0.0000and P=0.0296). The incidence ofⅠ~Ⅳdegree diarrhea was significantly higher in the gefitinib group than that in the docetaxel group (P<0.01). The incidence of leukopenia was significantly higher in the docetaxel group than that in the gefitinibgroup (P=0.0000). The incidences of thrombocytopenia and anemia of Ⅰ~Ⅳdegree were also higher in the docetaxel group (P=0.0000and P=0.0266). The improvement rate of quality of life was higher in the gefitinib group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Gefitinib has a similar anti-tumor effect as docetaxel on advanced NSCLC patients who have failed to previous first-line chemotherapy. Gefitnib can achieve higher improvement rate of quality of life in advanced NSCLC patients, with a lower incidence of toxicity.