S-1 Combined with Bi-Weekly Docetaxel for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: A Phase II Study of North Japan Lung Cancer Group (NJLCG0701)

Objectives: We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the combination of bi-weekly docetaxel and S-1, a novel oral fluorouracil derivative, for patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Patients received S-1 on days 1-14 and docetaxel on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Results: We enrolled 35 pts from 7 institutions (Feb. 2007-Sep. 2008). Patient characteristics: male/female, 23/12; median age, 64 years; and PS, 0/1 (17/18). The ORR was 26% (95% confidence interval, 11-40). The median progression-free survival was 4.1 months and the median overall survival was 16.3 months. Hematologic grade 3/4 toxicity included neutropenia (31%) and anemia (11%). Major non-hematologic grade 3 toxicity included diarrhea (17%). Conclusions: The combination of S-1 and bi-weekly docetaxel is an active regimen with a tolerable toxicity for previously treated NSCLC. Further evaluation of this regimen is warranted.