The burgeoning role of paclitaxel in advanced pulmonary malignancy

Historically, the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cisplatin-based therapy has been a nearly futile effort. Median survival was seldom greater than six months, and fewer than 20% of those with metastatic NSCLC survived more than one year. In addition, toxicity often equaled, if not exceeded, benefit. Over the past five years, however, we have witnessed an explosion of new agents in advanced lung carcinoma. These new agents - in particular the taxanes, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and topoisomerase I inhibitors - have breathed new life into clinical research. The therapeutic gains, though modest, are real. Paclitaxel, to a large extent, given either alone or in combination with platinols, has led the charge.