Abstract:
Objective This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of nab-paclitaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who underwent at least third-line chemotherapy.
Methods Clinical data of 16 advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients (13 males and 3 females; median age = 57 years, range = 40~75 years) who received nab-paclitaxel as a single agent between August 2010 and June 2012 were collected, and the curative and adverse effects of the compound were evaluated. Of the 16 patients, 8 had adenocarcinoma, 4 had squamous carcinoma, and 4 were found to have other tumors. Moreover, 10 patients were smokers. All patients were treated with 130 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15. The cycle was repeated every 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy was evaluated every two cycles.
Results Three patients (18.75%) achieved partial response, 5 (32.25%) had a stable disease, and 8 (50.00%) had a progressive disease. The objective response rate was 18.75%, and the disease control rate was 50.00%. The median time to progression was 2.15 months. The major adverse reactions included alopecia (37.50%), neutropenia (31.25%), and sensory neuropathy (12.50%).
Conclusion Nab-paclitaxel has curative effects, and its adverse effects are tolerable. Further research with a larger sample size is warranted to confirm these results.