Docetaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy in combination with cetuximab in patients with locally advanced or metastasized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Interim results of the nonrandomized phase II study TaxErb
e19062 Background: Combination chemotherapy with carboplatin-docetaxel has been shown to be effective and safe for patients with locally advanced or metastasized NSCLC. The monoclonal anti-EGRF antibody cetuximab has the potential to improve response rates and survival without a substantial increase in toxicity when given in combination with chemotherapy. Methods: Open, non-controlled phase II study with a planned sample size of 70 pts. Pts with locally advanced or metastasized NSCLC, ECOG performance status ≤ 2 and no prior systemic chemotherapy were treated with carboplatin AUC5 (d 1) q4w for 4–6 cycles and docetaxel 35 mg/m2 (d1, 8, 15) q4w; cetuximab 400 / 250 mg/m2 (d 1) q1w until progression or intolerable toxicity (12 month max.). The primary endpoint was response rate defined as complete or partial remission according to RECIST. Secondary endpoints were toxicity, 1 year survival, median and progression free survival. Results: Subject of the interims analysis were 27 pts (25 stage IV, 2 stage IIIb). ECOG 0/1/2 was 33.3%/59.3%/3.7% (1 no data). 63% had prior surgery, 93% prior radiotherapy and all had adjuvant or inductive chemotherapy. Pts received a mean of 3 ± 1.4 cycles docetaxel-carboplatin-cetuximab. 49 adverse events were grade 1–2 and 12 grade 3–5. Skin toxicity (49%; 95%CI: 30%-68%; 41% G1/2, 8% G3/4), dyspnoea (35%; 95%CI: 17%-53%) and diarrhoea (23%; 95%CI: 7 %-39%; 19% G1/2, 4% G3) were most frequent. 11 pts (41%) had toxicity leading to dose reduction. 0 pts had complete and 11 pts had partial remission resulting in a response rate of 40.7% (95%CI: 22%-59%) based on intention to treat. 6 pts had stable disease (22.2%; 95%CI: 7%-38%). 5 pts were not evaluable for response. Conclusions: The combination of carboplatin-docetaxel-cetuximab has an overall acceptable tolerability. With a preliminary response rate of 40.7% the benefit risk assessment was found to be favourable and the study was continued. [Table: see text]